first edition
by LGBTQ, Transgender
[LGBTQ][Transgender] Archive of three staple-bound transgender fiction booklets published by Reluctant Press in the early 1990s, a leading publisher of transgender and cross-dressing literature. These works, known as “TV Novels” (short for “transvestite novels”), were primarily distributed via mail order, catering to a niche readership interested in themes of gender transformation, feminization, and identity exploration. Reluctant Press played a vital role in providing representation for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals at a time when mainstream publishing offered little space for such narratives. Archive includes:
[1] Nelson, Elizabeth Anne. My Little Homemaker. Reluctant Press, June 1990. First Printing. A novel of domestic feminization, My Little Homemaker follows a man who, in an attempt to please his wife, fully adopts the role of a 1950s-style housewife. However, his immersion into homemaking culture leads to unintended consequences as he struggles to gain acceptance within the rigid expectations of traditional femininity. Exploring themes of gender roles, social expectations, and personal transformation, the novel reflects on the performative aspects of womanhood.
[2] Leigh, Cynthia. Trapped by Skirts. Reluctant Press, June 1990. First Printing. A collection of four short stories centering on men who find themselves unwillingly or unexpectedly feminized. Tales include narratives of enforced cross-dressing, mistaken identity, and gendered role reversal, exploring the boundaries between fantasy and identity. With themes of submission, self-discovery, and social reinvention, Trapped by Skirts exemplifies the storytelling conventions of transgender fiction from this era.
[3] Beatriz. Busting Out. Reluctant Press, June 1991. First Printing. An illustrated transgender transformation novel following a young male actor struggling with the pain of his wife’s departure after divorce. At the recommendation of his therapist, he embarks on a journey to discover what it means to be a woman, immersing himself in femininity as a form of self-discovery and healing. Combining elements of gender identity exploration and psychological introspection, the novel engages with themes of loss, transition, and rebirth.
During the 1980s and 1990s, transgender fiction like these booklets provided a rare and important space for readers to explore gender nonconformity, often blending elements of fantasy and social critique. Reluctant Press was one of the primary publishers catering to this audience, producing limited-run booklets that functioned as both entertainment and a form of community-building. This collection provides insight into the evolving discourse around gender and identity in late 20th-century underground publishing. Some light wear and toning, but overall well-preserved. (Inventory #: 21591)
[1] Nelson, Elizabeth Anne. My Little Homemaker. Reluctant Press, June 1990. First Printing. A novel of domestic feminization, My Little Homemaker follows a man who, in an attempt to please his wife, fully adopts the role of a 1950s-style housewife. However, his immersion into homemaking culture leads to unintended consequences as he struggles to gain acceptance within the rigid expectations of traditional femininity. Exploring themes of gender roles, social expectations, and personal transformation, the novel reflects on the performative aspects of womanhood.
[2] Leigh, Cynthia. Trapped by Skirts. Reluctant Press, June 1990. First Printing. A collection of four short stories centering on men who find themselves unwillingly or unexpectedly feminized. Tales include narratives of enforced cross-dressing, mistaken identity, and gendered role reversal, exploring the boundaries between fantasy and identity. With themes of submission, self-discovery, and social reinvention, Trapped by Skirts exemplifies the storytelling conventions of transgender fiction from this era.
[3] Beatriz. Busting Out. Reluctant Press, June 1991. First Printing. An illustrated transgender transformation novel following a young male actor struggling with the pain of his wife’s departure after divorce. At the recommendation of his therapist, he embarks on a journey to discover what it means to be a woman, immersing himself in femininity as a form of self-discovery and healing. Combining elements of gender identity exploration and psychological introspection, the novel engages with themes of loss, transition, and rebirth.
During the 1980s and 1990s, transgender fiction like these booklets provided a rare and important space for readers to explore gender nonconformity, often blending elements of fantasy and social critique. Reluctant Press was one of the primary publishers catering to this audience, producing limited-run booklets that functioned as both entertainment and a form of community-building. This collection provides insight into the evolving discourse around gender and identity in late 20th-century underground publishing. Some light wear and toning, but overall well-preserved. (Inventory #: 21591)
(818) 224-4555
