VISIONS
by Cheryl Rainfield
Released: Aug 26, 2024
Genre: Young Adult
Why this book and why now?
In our society of increasingly vocal homophobia and transphobia, with mass book bans in US schools and libraries of queer, trans, Black, brown, Indigenous, mental health, and survivor voices, we need to see positive reflections of ourselves in books–and teens especially do. I’ve always known I was lesbian, but I finally have one more word that describes me–nonbinary–and it helps me feel even more seen. So I wrote the main character Kate as lesbian, and Desi, her love interest, as nonbinary. I’ve always loved psychics and the idea of being able to save others through visions, and I’ve experienced trauma in my life, so I’ve shown all of that with a lot of suspense, healing, and hope.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
VISIONS has changed SO much since I first wrote it. The first version of VISIONS was called PARALLEL VISIONS. When I wrote it I was told by a trusted publishing professional that after my book SCARS I couldn’t write any more queer main characters or my books wouldn’t sell to traditional publishers, and then my publisher at the time told me I couldn’t write this book full length or it would compete with the book of mine they were publishing. But that stifled my voice and story, and it never felt fully mine. Years later, I’ve decided it’s time to take back my voice, and I’ve rewritten this story to be queer main characters and full length, the way I wanted it to be.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Kate loves The Athena Protocol by Shamin Sarif because the main character is strong and fierce when Kate often feels vulnerable, and Desi loves Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey because there are so many strong lesbian and nonbinary librarians who fight for the freedom to read and to protect other women and nonbinary folks–the way they want to. Both Kate and Desi love to read.
What 3 things would your main character want with them if they got stranded away from civilization, and why?
An ebook reader with a solar powered charger and a ton of nonfiction books on survival skills and novels for pleasure and fun; a pocket knife for help with survival and food; and her asthma medication.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Kate would toast with a rich, creamy hot chocolate with a cinnamon swirl stick and flakes of chocolate on top because her mother forces her to eat super healthy, and she loves chocolate.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
Kate would play Fight Song by Rachel Platten because both of us have had to fight so hard to have our voices be heard.
