An Unconventional Path to Authorhood

Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Bookends: Literature & Libations at J.C. Newman Cigar Co., as Jillian Abby takes us on her journey of self-discovery and discusses her memoir, Perfectly Queer: Facing Big Fears, Living Hard Truths, and Loving Myself Fully Out of the Closet. Jillian Abby will share her unconventional path to authorhood and provide tips for those interested in writing their own story. This is the perfect event for anyone looking for the courage to come out, parents, allies, readers, writers, and aspiring authors.
 
FREE Parking on Site
 
Schedule:
6:00 pm - Doors Open
6:30 pm – Conversation & Q&A, Followed by Book Signing
8:00 pm – Event Concludes
 
Books will be available for purchase at our pop-up events and the evening of the event.
 
Audiobook available through Librofm.
 
About the Book:
This humorous, heartwarming memoir follows a wife and mother’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance as she comes out as a lesbian in her late 30s.
 
Jill had a happy, healthy 20-year relationship with her college sweetheart, two wonderful kids, and a rescue cat from the Humane Society. They lived in a nice suburban home with a white picket fence and owned a small bar that was rated one of the “Best Mom & Pop” businesses in Tampa Bay. From the outside, everything looked perfect.
 
Perfectly Queer takes the reader on Jillian Abby’s poignant and painfully funny rollercoaster of self-discovery as she identifies and eventually accepts herself as a lesbian just before her 40th birthday. Living her new truth means leaving behind a life that, by societal standards, is nearly perfect.
 
This is a story for anyone who is hiding a piece of themselves and wants to know if it’s safe to be revealed. It’s for the parent who must choose between their own happiness and the stability of their family, wondering if prioritizing themselves is selfish. It’s for the person potentially facing a major life upheaval filled with unknowns in the future who is seeking reassurance that everything will work out just fine. It’s a story of hope and inspiration to those who are starting or are in the middle of their journey, and an affirmation to those who have been through it to stand proudly on the other side.
 
About the Author:
Jillian Abby’s life has been a journey of constant reinvention, weaving together a tapestry of diverse experiences. Originally from Buffalo, NY, she dared to step out of her comfort zone at the age of 15, venturing to study abroad in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Since then, her path has been anything but conventional, reflecting a series of roles that include Certified Public Accountant, Licensed Massage Therapist, craft beer bar owner, creative copywriter, homeschooling parent, and black belt martial artist.