Join Jendi Reiter and Ella Dawson for a reading from their new novels and a discussion of using humor and romance to leaven stories of healing from trauma.

Jendi Reiter’s second novel, Origin Story (Saddle Road Press), features a gay comic-book writer in 1990s New York City who unearths traumatic childhood memories through his art and breaks toxic family patterns with the help of his loving partner.

A bisexual love story with a theme of healing from intimate partner abuse, Ella Dawson’s witty novel But How Are You, Really (Dutton) is set at a 5th-year college reunion where journalist Charlotte Thorne must contend with her bullying boss, the friend group who wonders why she
ghosted on them, and the lovable almost-boyfriend who got away.

This event will take place in person at the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division, on the second floor (room 210) of The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., NYC, 10011.

Also live-streaming on the Bureau’s YouTube channel:

youtube.com/@bgsqd

Registration is not required. Seating is first come, first served.

Suggested donation to benefit the Bureau: $10.

All are welcome to attend, with or without a donation.

We will pass a bag for donations at the start of the event, but we can also take credit card donations at the register or on Venmo @BGSQD