Writing for the Teen I Once Was: Why I Write Queer YA Fiction at 46

Hey Booklovers!

Let’s talk about something I get asked a lot—“Why do you, a 46-year-old gay man, write young adult queer fiction?” It’s a fair question. On the surface, it might seem like an unusual choice. I’m not a teenager anymore, and I’m certainly not living through my first crush or high school heartbreak. But here’s the truth:

I write YA queer fiction because I didn’t have it when I needed it most.
And because today’s queer teens do—and they deserve better.

Why Does It Matter That I Write Queer YA Fiction at 46?

Because every story matters. And because I remember what it was like to be a teen in the 1990s, questioning everything about who I was, and seeing zero positive queer representation in the books around me.

Back then, being gay was either a tragic subplot or the butt of the joke—usually both. There was no “happy ending,” no story of love and self-acceptance. And definitely no characters who looked or loved like me.

So now, I write the books I wish someone had handed me when I was 15 and quietly terrified of being different.

Isn’t YA Fiction Just for Teenagers?

Absolutely not.

YA fiction is for anyone who remembers what it was like to feel misunderstood, to be figuring out who they are, to hope for love or acceptance or both. And let’s face it—those feelings don’t magically disappear when we turn 30 or 40 or (gasp) 46.

I write for the teens who are going through it right now, and for the adults—like me—who are still healing from a youth where we had to hide who we were.

How Does My Personal Experience Shape My Queer Characters?

As a gay person, creating queer characters isn’t a trend for me—it’s my world. I know the sting of rejection. I know the magic of a first kiss. I know the silence of keeping secrets and the freedom of finally speaking your truth.

My stories come from real places—my own experiences, my friendships, my pain, my joy. That authenticity is what makes these characters feel real. It’s also what helps readers—queer and straight alike—connect to them.

What Makes Queer YA Fiction So Powerful?

It’s not just about romance. It’s about survival. Identity. Family. Friendship. Hope.
It’s about showing that being queer doesn’t mean you’re broken or alone. It means you’re part of something bold, beautiful, and worth celebrating.

And it’s about making sure that no teenager grows up thinking their story isn’t worth telling.

What Do I Hope My Books Will Do?

I hope they’ll help someone feel seen.
I hope they’ll start conversations.
I hope they’ll sit on library shelves and quietly save someone’s life.
I hope they’ll remind people—young and old—that there is nothing wrong with who you are, and that love (in all its forms) is always worth writing about.

So yes, I’m 46.
And yes, I write queer teen fiction.
And no, I’m not going to stop anytime soon.

Because these stories matter. Because they didn’t exist when I needed them.
And because every queer kid—past, present, or future—deserves to see themselves as the hero.

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Stay bookish and fabulous,

Felix