DOM&INK is the author of Queer Power!: Icons, Activists & Game Changers from Across the Rainbow. Queer Power!: Icons, Activists & Game Changers from Across the Rainbow is a collection of essays that highlight modern-day LGBTQIA+ pioneers who have changed the world. The novel explores coming out, gender, mental health, and activism. YEM was able to speak with DOM&INK about the process of creating the book, if they wanted to create a book centered around LGBTQIA+ community from the beginning, and how long it took to create the book.
Young Entertainment Mag: When did you first know that you wanted to create books?
DOM&INK: Growing up I loved getting lost in stories and comic books. They were a safe space for me and I as I got older I got more and more inspired by the idea of how books can be so many things all at once. The same book can represent so many different things to a reader and I love that. Slay!
YEM: What can you tell us about your book Queer Power!: Icons, Activists & Game Changers from Across the Rainbow
DOM&INK: Queer Power! is an illustrated book of LGBTQIA+ icons, platforming voices you may recognise and some you may not. It’s a book about discovery, queer stories and a visual love letter to my community. The US version also has extra icons, brand new artwork and new resources for readers at the back too! I’ve love working on the new art which features Ariana DeBose, Hunter Schafer and more. I also added in a new Lil Nas X as Satan pole dancing as when the UK version came out, Montero hadn’t been released yet so I HAD to give a nod to that epic moment!
YEM: What was the process of creating your book like?
DOM&INK: The process I found different from other times I’d done books. This was the first book I did all the art first in one huge block and then did all the text after. I had to thumbnail and plan every page and icon to make sure they all fitted in and then made some edits to the rough thumbnails. I then wrote all the text and put that together in a word document. The extra patterns like the animal print, the disco balls and hand typography was all done separately and then I sent everything over to the publishers to look at! I still have some icons left over that I couldn’t fit in, so here’s hoping we do a Queer Power Part 2!
YEM: Did you know you wanted to create a book centered around LGBTQIA+ community from the beginning?
DOM&INK: I’ve always loved creating books that focus on queer stories and representation and for a long time I’d wanted to pull something together that embraces and platforms community. It was important to me that this book showcased different queer stories from ALL parts of the rainbow.
YEM: What was your favorite part of the creative process of Queer Power!: Icons, Activists & Game Changers from Across the Rainbow?
DOM&INK: I really loved creating the art and picking out which lewks I’d draw for which icon. For most of the icons, I knew them through socials so I asked each one if they liked their art, did they want their outfit changing, were they comfortable with how they looked and I had hardly any edits. I was so happy everyone liked their art as this book, aside from the community aspect, really is a tribute to people I look up to also.
YEM: What is your favorite part of making books for a young adult audience?
DOM&INK: At that age you’re going through so many different things and so many different emotions. I love the idea that books can be a place that a young adult can find comfort, a safe space, representation, visibility, feel valid etc. Books can be transformative for someone at any age, especially young adult ages.
YEM: What is something you hope your readers can take away from your book?
DOM&INK: I hope readers, if they’re on a rainbow journey or out and proud can take away a sense of community and chosen family and celebration. I also hope the book helps educate everyone, allies included on our rainbow family and all the different stories that make it up.
YEM: What is advice you have for someone who wants to create a book as well?
DOM&INK: I kept thinking I had to create something that everyone will read and I’d compromise my ideas in pitches. Now, I honestly believe, create the book YOU want to read. Write, draw, create for YOU.
YEM: Is there an essay in your book that is your favorite?
DOM&INK: I can’t pick a favourite as there are so many icons in there, over fifty if I’m correct! I will say, I love that we managed to make space for resources and further reading lists at the back, that made me super happy!
YEM: How long did it take to create Queer Power!: Icons, Activists & Game Changers from Across the Rainbow?
DOM&INK: The original UK edition was done during 2020 in lockdown. I started it in June and finished it by September. The US extra artwork took around 2-3 weeks including edits, text etc. We spent a few months and zooms detailing and outlining which icons to use, the extra content etc with my amazing editor at the time Rachel Sonis!
YEM: How did you choose who to get essays from for your book?
DOM&INK: This was the hardest part for me as I wanted to make sure I was adding in icons that you may not always get in these books. I wanted it to primarily be voices you may not have discovered before with a sprinkling of public figures. Ultimately I had to make numerous lists and lists and then finally edited it down. Like I said earlier, I would LOVE to do a Queer Power Part Deux! As our community is so vast and full of so many brilliant humans.
YEM: Are you hoping to release another book in the near future?
DOM&INK: I would love to! I love books and I love creating them. I’d love to move into the graphic novel arena and give that a go as graphic novels have always been a huge inspiration for me.
