In this interview, we talk to L.T. Thompson the author of "Devils Like Us," a queer historical fantasy set in the 1840s. Inspired by real stories of gay pirates, the novel blends magic, mystery, and found family aboard a ship where queer teens discover community and acceptance. We chat about the inspiration behind the book, the meaning of representation, and what’s next in the author’s journey.
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
Years ago, I stumbled across a tidbit of real history about gay pirates that got me imagining what would become the heart of this book: a crew of queer sailors forming a community where they can live and love openly, in a time when such communities were hard to find. I wanted to read a book about this, but I told myself I could never write it. I didn’t think I could manage the research I would need to do to write historical fiction.
But the idea stayed stuck in my mind, and slowly it became my mental recycling pile. Every time I scrapped a different story, I took my favorite pieces from it — characters, backstories, even the rescue-mission plotline — and reimagined them into this adventure story at sea. Eventually, the idea had so many pieces that I already loved that the research felt much more approachable.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
To me, Reading Rainbow means celebrating all kinds of LGBTQ stories and creating space to share and honor all kinds of LGBTQ experiences.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Books and stories can help us make sense of ourselves, the people around us, and the world. I had very little access to stories about LGBTQ people when I was growing up. I think books like this one would have made a huge difference for me in realizing I wasn’t alone in my experiences before I knew I was trans.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
Devils Like Us is a queer historical fantasy set in 1840s Massachusetts. It’s about three queer teens who each have their own tie to the supernatural: Cas has been having visions of people’s deaths before they happen; Remy has been researching an occult secret society that kidnapped her father years ago; and Finn is carrying some magical secrets of her own. When Cas’s latest vision predicts Finn’s death, and when the secret society kidnaps someone else, the three of them get pulled together into this magical mystery. They set sail on a rescue mission to infiltrate the secret society — and along the way, they find unexpected acceptance and queer community among the crew of the mysterious ship that’s taking them there.
I loved getting to explore queer and trans experiences in a historical setting. Cas realizes he’s trans a short way into the book, and Finn and Remy slowly start to recognize their feelings for each other as they spend time with other characters living without shame aboard the ship.
What can fans expect from your book?
Lots of excitement and lots of emotions! It’s an exciting, high-stakes, slightly creepy fantasy adventure, and at the same time, it’s also a cozy found family story about queer and trans identity and what it’s like to find yourself in an accepting community for the first time.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
"Devils Like Us" is a duology, so right now I’m deep in revisions on the second book. I have some other ideas bouncing around in my mind, but for the moment I’m just enjoying getting to spend more time with these characters and this story.
