Where to Start Reading Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
For readers diving into the work of Alexandria (Alex) Marzano-Lesnevich, the best starting point is their landmark debut book, The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir (2017). Because Marzano-Lesnevich's work consists of deeply personal nonfiction, investigative journalism, and historical profiles rather than sequential fiction, there is no narrative timeline to follow. Instead, their books are linked by recurring thematic interests: how we construct truth, the limits of the legal system, how personal trauma shapes our view of justice, and the reclamation of suppressed histories.
After reading their debut, readers should look forward to their highly anticipated second book, Both and Neither, which is scheduled for publication on February 11, 2027. In the interim, those looking to explore more of their distinct literary voice can check out their essay contributions to prominent anthologies, such as Waveform: Twenty-First-Century Essays by Women (2016), or read their individual essays published in outlets like The New York Times and Oxford American.
The Core Works of Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir (2017)
Published in May 2017, this critically acclaimed debut is a genre-defying masterpiece that intertwines true crime, legal analysis, and personal memoir. The book was sparked by a 2003 internship Marzano-Lesnevich undertook at a law firm in New Orleans, where they worked on the defense of Ricky Langley, a man convicted of murdering a young boy. Expecting to find their beliefs on the death penalty reinforced, Marzano-Lesnevich instead found the case triggering memories of their own childhood sexual abuse at the hands of their grandfather. The book spent ten years in development and involved the research of over 30,000 pages of legal documents.
Rather than presenting a traditional true-crime narrative, The Fact of a Body explores how our personal histories dictate our perception of guilt and justice. It won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Memoir and the Chautauqua Prize, and was named one of the best books of the year by numerous publications. An adaptation of the book is currently in development with HBO.
Both and Neither (Forthcoming, February 2027)
Scheduled for release on February 11, 2027, by Doubleday, Both and Neither is Marzano-Lesnevich’s second solo book. Described as a work of "haunted nonfiction," the book combines personal memoir with historical research to explore life beyond the gender binary. The author utilizes a "trans-genre" narrative style to mirror the nonbinary themes of the book.
Rather than a standard historical survey, the book frames an "international road trip" and archival exploration tracing a transmasculine lineage through history. It profiles four key historical figures who transcended or defied the gender norms of their respective eras: Joseph Lobdell (a 19th-century trans man who was institutionalized), Gerd Katter (a carpenter and early patient at the Institute for Sexual Science in 1920s Berlin), Pauli Murray (a visionary civil rights and feminist activist), and Claude Cahun (a French surrealist artist and photographer). The project has already received prestigious backing, winning a 2025 Whiting Nonfiction Grant for Works-in-Progress and a 2026 Creative Capital Award.
Publication Order of Books and Anthology Contributions
Because Marzano-Lesnevich's catalog is highly focused, the chronological publication order remains the most practical way to read their work. Below is the complete timeline of their book-length publications and major anthology contributions:
- Waveform: Twenty-First-Century Essays by Women (2016) – Anthology Contributor. Marzano-Lesnevich contributed the essay "They Didn't Come Here Cowboys," which explores the Angola Prison Rodeo.
- The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir (2017) – Debut Memoir / True Crime. The author's first standalone book.
- True Crime: Real Writers Inspire Us with True Stories (2018) – Anthology Contributor. A collection of true-crime essays edited by Lee Gutkind.
- Out of Many: Multiplicity and Divisions in America Today (2020) – Anthology Contributor. A literary collection exploring social borders and American identity.
- Both and Neither (Scheduled: February 11, 2027) – Second Standalone Book. An investigation of gender, history, and memoir.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone and Themes
Before reading Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich, readers should be prepared for intense, emotionally demanding subject matter. The Fact of a Body deals directly with child sexual abuse, murder, and the psychological impact of trauma. It is not recommended for readers looking for a light read or a standard, plot-driven true-crime mystery. Instead, the tone is deeply introspective, lyrical, and challenging.
A key aspect of Marzano-Lesnevich's writing is their structural innovation. They reject simple, linear narratives. In their debut, they jump back and forth between Ricky Langley's life, the legal proceedings, and their own childhood memories. In Both and Neither, they continue this experimental style by weaving their own gender journey with the archival traces of historical figures. This approach invites the reader to embrace complexity and sit with unresolved questions rather than looking for neat, black-and-white resolutions.