Exclusive Cover Reveal: “Both/And” by Denne Michele Norris

Electric Literature is pleased to reveal the cover of Both/And: Essays by Trans and Gender Nonconforming Writers of Color, edited by Denne Michele Norris, which will be published by HarperOne on August 12, 2025. You can pre-order your copy here.

From Denne Michele Norris and Electric Literature comes a vital anthology of essays by trans and gender-nonconforming writers of color, sharing stories of joy, heartbreak, rage, and self-discovery.

Featuring seventeen new essays—spanning writers, scientists, actors, activists, and drag queens—Both/And explores what it means to live as a trans person of color today.

Acclaimed authors Akwaeke Emezi, Tanaïs, and Meredith Talusan share their stories alongside activist and organizer Raquel Willis and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Peppermint, as well as a host of rising literary talent. Each story is told with honesty, authenticity, and beauty. A nonbinary molecular biologist has nightmares about their estranged father transitioning. A writer revisits a casual hookup that helped her discover her womanhood. And a woman vacations in Hawaii with her wife, where she gets in touch with the fire goddess within. These stories depict real trans lives from trans points of view, at a time when these perspectives are most urgent and valuable.

Inspired by Electric Literature’s groundbreaking series and edited by the first Black, openly trans editor-in-chief of a major literary publication, Both/And is a different kind of love letter, written by—and for—one of our most targeted communities.

Here is the cover, designed by Leandro Assis.

“Designing this cover was such a special experience,” says Assis. “Not just because I deeply relate to and support the theme, but because I felt truly honored to contribute something in my style. The texts are powerful, and they really inspired me. Visually, I wanted to create an immediate impact, incorporating the trans flag in an organic way, almost as if the title itself was spreading the message further and further.”

Norris agrees. “There are so many things I love about Leandro Assis’s cover, from its homage to the trans flag, to the shape and font of the text. It reminds me of a party, something bombastic, colorful, and memorable. Much like the book, it celebrates the fullness of our lives while at the same time centering joy, laughter, sensuality, and resilience.

“Under the new administration the queer community is under vicious attack—especially transgender folks,” Norris continues. “Though we’ve always known this might happen, it is now abundantly clear that there is a political movement intent on erasing our very existence. I was motivated to create this project because I wanted to elevate trans and gender nonconforming voices of color. Those of us who live in the crosshairs of these identities are particularly vulnerable. Both/And is a love letter to my community, and this cover is the perfect envelope. We are incredibly strong—certain of ourselves and of who we are in a world that wants to cast us aside. I am committed to centering our voices, and our stories, to ensure that we are never forgotten, never truly silenced. It’s especially meaningful to partner with Electric Literature for this project.”