Changeling Press – A. L. Lester

Emily is a long-time writer of m/m romance and is visiting today with an interview with Ashley from her upcoming release with Changeling Press, Heartwood 3: Yew and Thorn

Emily Carrington: Hi, Ashley.

A: Actually, it’s Ash, ma’am. That’s my nickname but I want everyone to know I’m using it instead of my legal name. At least until I have to switch back for something like getting a job.

EC: Okay, Ash. Tell me about your nickname.

A: Aidan accidentally gave it to me, but I liked it so much that I claimed it for my own. It seems to fit with my being nonbinary.

EC: Tell us about Aidan.

A: He and Mike are my foster parents. I’m thirteen and they’ve been taking care of me for about eight months now. It’s just turned January 1^st here in Pennsylvania. Anyway, Mike and Aidan are great. They’re gay and Aidan knows almost everything about the LGBTQ community. [she giggles] Although he calls it QUILTBAG and hopes everyone will start using this more inclusive, if silly sounding term.

EC: What does it stand for?

A: Queer, Undecided, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, Asexual, and Gay.

EC: Neat. It does sound a little funny though. Do you mind if I ask about your white cane?

A: Sure. I’m visually impaired. Not like Aidan, who’s totally blind and can’t see anything, but I don’t’ see much. No movement, few colors, and basically straight ahead of me. I can read 72 point font but that’s about six times bigger than everyone else reads, so I read braille instead.

EC: I’d like to go back to you mentioning that you’re nonbinary. How and when did you realize this?

A: Over the summer with Aidan and Mike. I didn’t feel like a girl or a guy-thing, and I don’t have discomfort with my body being a girl’s, but I like to wear gender neutral clothing. Like T-shirts and jeans that aren’t specifically cut for a girl. If I really start enjoying the new, UU, church Mike and Aidan and I are going to, I might ask to wear a suit or something. But for now, I like it that Aidan says they’ll take me as I am.

EC: Thank you for visiting with us, Ash. Is there anything you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?

A: You didn’t ask why I had to be thirteen before someone would even talk about adopting me.

EC: Mike and Aidan are planning to adopt you?

A: If they can get all the right permissions.

EC: Okay, I’m asking. Why?

A: Aidan says it’s because fate wanted me to be with them. Mike says it’s God. But I think it’s because I just didn’t fit with the other families. I was too scared with them to be myself. Now I can be, and Mike, Aidan, and their adopted daughter, Candice, love me just as I am.