Picture a vibrant storyteller weaving tales of identity, love, and resilience through the lens of a genderqueer teen—meet Steven Salvatore! This gay, genderqueer author and college writing professor has carved a niche in young adult (YA) literature, crafting novels that pulse with authenticity and heart. With a passion for amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, Salvatore’s work, like Can’t Take That Away and And They Lived..., resonates with readers seeking stories that celebrate self-discovery and defiance against adversity.
But Salvatore’s impact goes beyond the page. As co-founder of Pride Book Fest, they’ve created a platform to uplift queer authors and stories, making them a beacon for diversity in literature. Ready to dive into their world? Let’s explore the journey of this Sicilian-American chaos agent!
The Making of Steven Salvatore
Growing up in Tarrytown, New York, Steven Salvatore was surrounded by the chaos of a loud Italian family and an obsession with Mariah Carey and Star Wars. Their love for storytelling took root early, leading them to Ithaca College, where they studied writing and art history. Later, they earned an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School, honing their craft. Salvatore’s path wasn’t easy—after nearly 300 rejections and seven manuscripts, their persistence paid off when Bloomsbury YA picked up Can’t Take That Away in 2019. Alongside writing, they’ve taught composition, served as an academic advisor, and volunteered at The LOFT, an LGBTQ+ resource center, facilitating creative writing workshops.
Steven Salvatore’s Unforgettable Stories
Salvatore’s YA novels are a blend of raw emotion, queer joy, and unflinching honesty, often drawing from their own experiences as a genderqueer person. Their debut, Can’t Take That Away (2021), follows Carey Parker, a genderqueer teen and aspiring diva, who faces discrimination after landing the lead in their school’s musical. The novel’s anthem-like narrative champions self-identity and community strength, earning praise for its uplifting take on queer resistance.
And They Lived... (2022) is a sex-positive, fairy-tale-inspired romance about Chase Arthur, a college freshman and animator wrestling with body dysmorphia and gender identity. Critics, including Becky Albertalli, lauded its vibrant characters and complex exploration of love. Other works include No Perfect Places (2023), a poignant tale of twins navigating grief and family secrets, and The Boyfriend Subscription (2024), an adult rom-com dubbed an LGBTQ+ Pretty Woman. Their upcoming YA novel, When Love Gives You Lemons (May 2025), promises a swoony romance set in an Italian lemon grove. Salvatore’s style—marked by vivid characters, emotional depth, and a celebration of queer joy—makes their stories both relatable and revolutionary.
Why Steven Salvatore Matters
Steven Salvatore’s work fills a vital gap in YA literature, offering authentic representation for genderqueer and LGBTQ+ teens. Their novels don’t shy away from tough topics like bullying, body dysmorphia, or queerphobia, yet they emphasize resilience and self-love, inspiring readers to embrace their truths. By co-founding Pride Book Fest in 2021 with Jacob Demlow, Salvatore created a virtual festival celebrating over 100 queer authors, addressing the lack of queer-specific literary spaces. This initiative, alongside their mentorship through Queerative Writers, underscores their commitment to fostering diverse voices, making them a trailblazer in queer YA fiction.
- Birthplace: Tarrytown, New York
- Key Works: Can’t Take That Away, And They Lived..., No Perfect Places, The Boyfriend Subscription
- Notable Achievement: Co-founder of Pride Book Fest
Snag Can’t Take That Away or And They Lived... and dive into Steven Salvatore’s heartfelt, rebellious world of queer YA fiction!