TransForm: Answers to the Trans Questions You Have No Idea How to Ask

by Jamie Winters

Do you need a lifeline when it comes to transgender topics?

Navigating through conversations about trans subjects when you’re still a newbie is terrifying. Do you sound like an offensive simpleton? Which pronouns should you be using when? What do all these new words even mean?

Consider this book your trans friend willing to answer any question you have, no matter how offensive. There’s even a glossary in the back to help you navigate through conversations! In clear, simple language, you’ll learn things such as:

• What it’s like to transition and live as a trans person
• How to understand your own identity
• The difference between sexual orientation and gender identity
• What’s considered rude and polite in the trans community
• How to come out or respond to a loved one coming out

Written by a trans man who spoke at a TEDx event on gender identity and how it relates to finding yourself, TransForm is meant to be a reference for all. Whether you’re trans yourself and not sure where to start, someone who just learned someone they love is trans, or even if you’re just wanting to be a better ally, you’ll want to keep this book nearby for all your questions.

Genres: Nonfiction

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2018

About the author

Jamie Winters is a cat. You would think a cat can’t be an author, but that’s where you would be wrong.

Jamie first adopted his pet human when he was just growing out of kittenhood. He wanted somewhere to live that was warmer and more comfortable than the streets, so when a human offered, Jamie leapt at the chance. Because of his white fur, his human decided to name him “Winter.” Jamie decided to tolerate this in the sake of keeping the peace.

Over time, Jamie grew more attached to his human. He eventually realized two things. One, he actually loved his human rather than simply tolerating the creature. And two, his human was an idiot. After all, his human didn’t even know how to hunt propery, let alone bestow a name on a cat.

So Jamie decided there was only one course of action. With his extraordinary intelligence, he could take care of his human. He decided to become an author. It was a job that didn’t require him making many public appearances, and only minor tumb dexterity, making it ideal. Plus it allowed him to stay at home and keep his human from getting into too much mischief. He took the human’s loving (though misguided) attempt at a name and turned it into something much more dignified: Jamie Winters.

Much like his human, Jamie found writing to be more than just a means to an end, and he eventually fell in love with the craft. Now he spends much of his time writing and sharing his work with the world.

When Jamie isn’t involved in his literary pursuits, you may find him fetching dinner for his human, catching a warm sunbeam, or engaging in a relaxing night of belly rubs. Which are all completely for the human’s benefit. Of course.

Reviews

[Stephie Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have finished a review that won't fit because it exceeds the character limit once again. Perhaps I will pare it down to fit.

My previous practice for reviews (2 of them) too long to be posted has been to put them on my blog, but I cannot decide whether I want a 3 star book to appear there. If I decide to I will post the link here.

For now it was a decent book from a transgender man, which is outside my usual, which is basically reading books by transgender woman. I find those books more relatable. Still it was good for a change. Overall, I found this perspective interesting, and I felt the book contain valuable information, but also things that I would disagree with, so my recommendation would be mixed. Good enough to read if your interested in a transgender male's point of view of the many questions he has been asked, and he takes on many of them in this book, but I have to say that as far as transgender books are concern there are better books to spend your time with (see other books of these types on the books I have read at 4 stars or more).

I also post here my synopsis for what it's worth:

The book is based on the questions the author, Jamie Winters (possibly the author’s cat), has received from others related to him being a trans man or about transgender and gender nonconforming persons in general. He starts with the basics. Then, he groups types of questions asked in broad terms, separated into parts with more specific sub-parts (chapters). The groupings follow this order in the book: relationships (personal and in general), transitioning, gender and society, pop culture, allyship, what happens after transition. He then gives an invitation to send further questions and some appendixes. These include a glossary and resources.

[Rachel Lightfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy-t0-read, well thought-out book that delivers on its promise of answering many questions about trans topics. But to me what sticks with me most is how genuine and open the author is with his own experiences, his journey of self-discovery and willingness to educate others, even if they approach this topic with no prior knowledge. Definitely worth the read.