Bluebird swoops for ‘empowering’ introduction to LGBTQ+ parenting from podcasters Jeffs and Oakley 

Bluebird has secured From Gay to Ze: The Not-Straight Path to Parenthood by “Some Families” podcast hosts Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley.  

Carole Tonkinson, publisher, acquired world all language rights from Abigail Bergstrom at Bergstrom Studio and Martin Redfern at Northbank Talent Management.  

“As soon as we met Carole, Jodie and the Bluebird team it was clear their enthusiasm for this book matched our own,” Jeffs commented. “It’s great that they understand the huge necessity for this kind of parenting guide and I’m so excited to work with them in bringing it to life.” 

From Gay to Ze is the “first book of its kind for those curious about LGBTQ+ parenting” to provide specific LGBTQ+-focused information, according to the publisher. Jeffs and Oakley have incorporated discussions with experts and queer families, alongside their own experience of becoming parents through IUI and adoption respectively, in this “hugely needed book”. 

The publisher said: “While, as the authors point out, 90% of queer parenting is just… parenting, being queer when you’re a parent brings with it a host of conundrums that mainstream guides, which tend to assume heterosexuality, cannot solve. From adoption, surrogacy, fertility treatment and other routes to parenthood, to donors, trans parenting, how to deal with homophobia and much more, From Gay to Ze is the must-have toolkit for queer parents, parents-to-be, and anyone looking to support and understand the journey LGBTQ+ families undertake.” 

Oakley said: “For Bluebird to see and represent us as queer parents, and let us tell our story, is beyond a dream. It’s so vital that LGBTQ+ parents feel part of the wider parenting community, which is predominantly heteronormative. There is very little out there for us. Through our stories I hope we get to answer questions that anyone who is curious about queer parenting, or those wanting to understand more about our world, may have.” 

The belief and ambition for this title goes beyond the page with Jeffs and Oakley having launched a Substack newsletter (fromgaytoze.substack.com) to build a community of readers in advance of publication and expand the impact of From Gay to Ze.  

Tonkinson added: “When Lotte and Stu’s proposal came in, all of us on the Bluebird team downed tools and read it straight away. The response in Bluebird – and subsequently around the whole of Pan Mac – was off the charts. When the book finally came to our acquisition meeting, the feeling was unanimous: this was the brilliantly conceived, beautifully written book on queer parenting that the world needs.

“For queer parents, friends, educators, HR departments and more, From Gay to Ze is a hugely important contribution. We can’t think of more informed, thoughtful and engaging guides to this vital subject area. We’re still pinching ourselves that we get to support and amplify Lotte and Stu’s voices.”