Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)

by T.J. Klune

I do want to be remembered as something, and it’s very specific: not the Antichrist, but the Anti–J.K. Rowling. I want to be her antithesis, her opposite. I want my stories to fly in the face of everything she believes in. At the end of the day, she has no idea who I am, and that’s okay. I’ll still be here, chugging away, making sure queer stories are told. And I won’t be doing it alone. There are so many queer authors writing stories that matter, important stories that show all the different facets of our lives.

To make it unequivocal: J.K. Rowling’s beliefs on trans people are abhorrent and have no place in a modern society. People like her—people who believe trans people are somehow lesser—deserve to be shunned until they disappear into the ether. As Arthur says in the novel, “Hate is loud.” He’s right. People tend to love quietly and hate loudly. But here’s the thing: I don’t do anything quietly. I’m a loud motherfucker, and I will continue to be, especially when my community is under attack.

author for many, many years to come. To my queer community: I write these books for anyone who wants to read them, but in my head and heart, I’m always thinking of you first and foremost. In case no one has told you this today: I’m proud of you. I know it’s hard being human. I know that it seems like things are getting more difficult. But please don’t forget that while hate may be loud, we are louder. And no one can take that away from us. The Anti–J.K. Rowling TJ Klune March 7, 2024