Anthologies seem to be on the rise recently and I am here for it! My latest obsession is Keep Faith featuring 14 stories discussing queerness and faith. An all star lineup with published authors and newer contributors, I cannot wait to start my copy!
Keep Faith
Keep faith, in the broad sense of the word. It doesn’t have to be a religion, unless you want it to be. It doesn’t have to speak about the universe, unless you want it to. It doesn’t have to be about anyone but yourself. Keep faith, in other planets and other houses; be it in the face of danger, grief, or while you spread your arms and laugh. Keep faith the same way you keep hope, bright and shiny, ever present. Keep faith in all your queer, beautiful self. Because you deserve it.
This is an anthology of 14 short stories, by 14 queer authors, where faith and queerness intersect. Incidental, purposeful, we-exist-and-that’s-why queerness. And faith meaning whatever you want it to mean.
Find Keep Faith on Goodreads and Gumroad.
Interview with Gabriela Martins
How did you come up with the author list for this anthology?I see that there is a range of authors who have published before and who hasn’t, how has the anthology process been for those who haven’t been published before?
I reached out to people whose work I admire, regardless of their publication history. And it’s really funny how different everyone’s paths have been! There are people with established careers and people just starting out. Regardless, every one of the people in the author list are people that I consider, a) good at their work, and b) good as people.
Did the title come to you before the anthology or visa versa?
Initially, I really wanted another title that I can’t for the life of me remember, but then someone (I think Kate [Brauning]?) mentioned that there was already another book coming out in 2020 with a very similar title, so we had to change it a bit. The one we went with was actually Kess [Costales]’s idea. She also designed the cover and promotional art for us all.
Can you or some of the contributors describe your story in emojis?
I think it’s going to be funny for them to see my emoji-take in their stories, so here goes:
Bigger Than Us (Megan Manzano): 🧙🏽♀️
️
Droplets Of Starlight (Vanshika Prusty):
🥰⛈
Golden Hue (Mayara Barros): 🧙🏽♀️
How Not To Die (Again) (Gabriela Martins):
☠️
Nothing Left Standing (C. T. Callahan):
🧳
On The Other Side (Shenwei Chang):
🏽
Ten Steps To Becoming A Successful Blogger (Julia Rios):
🧚🏼♂️
The Language Of Magic (Adiba Jaigirdar):
🏽
Whatever She Wants (Kess Costales): ✝️
Can you all come up with some music or pop culture/tv/film recommendations for when we finish KEEP FAITH and want more?
For mine, definitely the movie “D.E.B.S.”. It’s ridiculous, the LI is one of the few American-Brazilians getting roles, and did I mention it’s ridiculous? Just like my romcom, it’s mindless fun but might just make your sapphic heart warm. (Warning, though, they use the R-slur.)
Kess said that after you finish reading her story, you have got to read/watch “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” (Jenny Han). Fake dating! Asian rep! Cutesy vibes!
CT has recommended you listen to “Youth” by Troye Sivan. E feels like the song describes the same sentiment of the story, only more poppy and fun!
Megan has said SAPPHIC ENERGY of TV’s “Euphoria” meets Halsey’s song “Castle”.
What is one thing you want readers to take away from the anthology?
That it doesn’t matter how they interpret faith as long as they have it. Faith in themselves, faith in love, faith that the world can still show us kindness.
Discussion
What anthologies are you looking forward to?
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