“Overall, the novel is a sensitive and perceptive look into a nonbinary child’s journey… A heartwarming magical-school journey…” – Kirkus Reviews
Will there be more books?
Yes! Jay 1.5 is already being edited, and Jay 2.0 is being written. There is a lot of Jay to come!
Will the series show how Jay or Anthony deal with [____]?
Maybe. Although many ideas for Jay are already outlined, we’re open to giving Jay and Anthony plenty of new adventures. Feel free to send your suggestions on the Contact page.
Will Marco be in other books?
Absolutely!
Do you visit classrooms?
Yes, mostly virtually. Austin and Sam are strong believers in K-12 education, and we’d love to virtually visit with students. Send us a message, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Where can I find the book?
Wherever books are sold. However, we especially love libraries, independent bookstores, and Bookshop.org, so you may want to check those places first.
Will the series age with its audience?
Yes. In fact, an entire storyline was cut from one of the original drafts that will resurface in a book written in a few years.
Is the author nonbinary?
Yes. Sam uses she or they pronouns.
Where can I learn more about The Trevor Project?
We donate a portion of our sales to Trevor, and we’ve set up a fundraiser so that people can donate to the nonprofit while showing their pride in Jay. You can donate to it here.
If you’re an LGBTQ+ youth in crisis, find help here.
How long did it take you to write Jay? How long to illustrate it?
Jay was very different when Sam started writing it in 2017, but the published draft was really crafted over the last two years. Austin, on the other hand, completed the cover and illustrations within a few months!
When’s the next book coming out?
The goal is for 1.5 to be released in May 2026 and 2.0 to be released in fall 2026. However, nothing is certain, so check Chakey’s blog for updates.