A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns

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Pub Date 12 Jun 2018 | Archive Date 19 Feb 2019
Oni Press | Limerence Press

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Description

A quick, easy and important educational comic guide to using gender-neutral pronouns.

"A great, simple look at the importance of using correct pronouns; extremely accessible to those for whom gender-neutral language is a new concept." –– School Library Journal (starred review)

Archie, a snarky genderqueer artist, is tired of people not understanding gender neutral pronouns. Tristan, a cisgender dude, is looking for an easy way to introduce gender neutral pronouns to his increasingly diverse workplace. The longtime best friends team up in this short and fun comic guide that explains what pronouns are, why they matter, and how to use them. They also include what to do if you make a mistake, and some tips-and-tricks for those who identify outside of the binary to keep themselves safe in this binary-centric world. A quick and easy resource for people who use they/them pronouns, and people who want to learn more!

A quick, easy and important educational comic guide to using gender-neutral pronouns.

"A great, simple look at the importance of using correct pronouns; extremely accessible to those for whom...


A Note From the Publisher

TIMELY SUBJECT: Awareness of gender identity and expression continues to build, and this book can be used as a resource in many ways, including personal use, at school, or even in the workplace.

AUTHENTIC INSIGHT: Bongiovanni is nonbinary and creates comics for Autostraddle.com, a queer lifestyle website.

SEASONAL OPPORTUNITY: June is also LGBT Pride Month, making this a perfect gift for anyone who wants to learn more about or needs help explaining gender neutral pronouns.

ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL: While the subject is serious, Bongiovanni and Jimerson engage the audience with humor.

UNBEATABLE VALUE: This book is a quick start to learning about gender neutral pronouns and cheap enough that anyone can afford it, especially teen readers.

SERIES LAUNCH: This is the first in a series of "Quick & Easy Guides" that address gender and sexuality.

TIMELY SUBJECT: Awareness of gender identity and expression continues to build, and this book can be used as a resource in many ways, including personal use, at school, or even in the workplace.

...


Advance Praise

“A funny and friendly guide to being respectful.” - Mara Wilson, author of Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame

“Archie and Tristan's guide to they/them pronouns really is all that and a bag of chips. Practical, friendly and funny, the easygoing spirit of the comic should be a big help to those new to and not-yet comfortable using third-person pronouns. Coming at this from grammatical, political and personal avenues, they make clear not only how to use these pronouns, but also why, and give direct, needed information about how to do better when it comes to inclusivity and support for those with nonbinary identities. It’s also very valuable for those who identify themselves this way, providing comfort, help and validation that can be mighty hard to come by in such a binary world. Full of heart, humor and chutzpah, this is one of my new all-time favorite guides.” - Heather Corinna, Founder and Director of Scarleteen.com, and  author of S.E.X.: the All-You-Need-to-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties

“Archie and Tristan have created a fun, engaging, and informative resource! A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns will help those just coming to understand the concept of nonbinary identities and gender neutral pronouns, as well as those who are journeying to understand what their own nonbinary identity means to them (and how to explain it to those they know and love)! Allyship means educating ourselves and those around us, and I am so thrilled to now be able to share this with the many parents, educators, and friends who have come to me with questions about they/them pronouns!” - Kristin Russo, CEO of Everyone Is Gay and My Kid Is Gay

A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns is about taking the time to talk with our friends, family and peers about how we can make the world a little better, safer, and easier for everyone. It’s a short, heartfelt guide that gives us a chance to be better people. It begs to be read, shared, and widely distributed. It’s a great starting point for learning how to treat others with the respect and dignity we all deserve.” - The Beat

“A funny and friendly guide to being respectful.” - Mara Wilson, author of Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame

“Archie and Tristan's guide to they/them pronouns really is all...


Marketing Plan

- Included in Oni Press Summer 2018 catalog.

- Announcement at Paste's website.

- Announcement press release and social media coverage

- ARC distributions for book buyers, librarians, and reviewers

- Secondary ARC distribution for select book buyers, librarians, and reviewers with a focus on LGBTQIA books

- Creator attendance at Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE), Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethseda, MD, and Flame Con in New York, NY.

- Local creator appearances and signings in Minneapolis, MN.

- Creator appearances and signings in Chicago, IL, and Seattle, WA.

- Included in Oni Press Summer 2018 catalog.

- Announcement at Paste's website.

- Announcement press release and social media coverage

- ARC distributions for book buyers, librarians, and reviewers

-...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781620104996
PRICE US$9.99 (USD)
PAGES 64

Average rating from 186 members


Featured Reviews

Pronouns are a difficult topic. Some of us feel like the rules for using them are engraved in our brains, some people feel like the rules are engraved in stone, and some feel like they're being stabbed every time the wrong pronouns are used for them. No matter what pronouns you use, you probably have questions. Archie and Tristan have answers, advice, and info. Archie uses they/them and Tristan uses he/him so we get different perspectives. Archie lets us know why pronouns are so important and Tristan is a good example of an ally.

This short book is a conversation between them and the reader. It's fun and well-drawn. The art style looks loose but the expressions are spot-on when they need to be. There's plenty of humor and the relationship between Archie and Tristan is comfortable and relatable.

The focus here is why pronouns are important, what to say in some common (and sometimes uncomfortable) situations, and that really this is all about creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone. I look forward to the other guides in this series.

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An excellent introduction to gender neutral pronouns--how to use them, how to correct a mistake in using the wrong ones, and how to adapt your language to be more inclusive. By changing a few simple words to a few other simple words, you can not only make your language more inclusive, but also make sure you don't offend anyone by misgendering them. Jimerson introduced neutral language into his business and much of the advice could definitely be used in a training session at a business or any other situation where a large group of people are working together. Much of the advice was stuff I had picked up from a variety of sources over the years, but it was nice to see all of that validated and compiled into a short comic like this!

Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to be a better ally!

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This is a great book! Will be left on the break room table. Funny and serious at the same time.

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This is very simple beginner's guide to they/them pronouns. I've already known pretty much all of those information but the thing is it took me a lot of TIME to learn that and while I do not think that time was wasted I wish I had a guide like this one back when I first learned that there are more than two genders. Coming from a conservative family, those concepts were completely new to me and I didn't know where to start - this book is a good start. It covers all the basic aspects in an approachable funny way and encourages to look up more information.

This book not only gives practical information but also explains the emotions caused by being misgendered and Why You Should Care.

The second part contains some advice to non-binary people on coming out, cuting people out, and reaching out for support.

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This is a great introduction to using they/them pronouns, why it's important, and how to talk about it with others. I think that this book makes a difficult subject easy to understand. Good writing, fun characters, and nice art.

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I've been waiting for this since Limerence announced it, and I'm super pleased with the result!
The first 25 pages is set-up: what are pronouns and why is it important to use the correct pronouns when referring to or talking to a person.
The middle section is the how-to portion of the book. How to use gender neutral pronouns in a professional setting, when you don't know a person's pronouns, etc. How to correct yourself if you accidentally misgender someone (hint: don't make it a huge thing all about YOU). How to stand up for a non-binary friend OR let them stand up for themselves, and how to know the difference.
There are a few pages aimed toward non-binary folks, directly from Archie (the non-binary half of the creative team) about navigating the process of coming out, figuring out when to pick your battles, etc. It's written for non-binary folks, but that portion is also useful for cisgender (your pronouns match what you were assigned at birth, usually your sex) people as it gives you a source of understanding and empathy.
The book wraps up with a few handy pages that are sort of like cheat-sheets. You could even photocopy them to hang in your work cubicle! (We do not condone copying pages and distributing them without written consent from Limerence because that's illegal and not cool.)

In all - this is a great book and, at 70 pages, a handy reference to leave in the breakroom, your local library, etc. I really appreciate that the creative team put it together specifically to be readable and affordable, and that they made it clear that this is the start of a conversation and the start of the work we all need to do to make our society more inclusive and welcoming.

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This was a quick read that helps introduce individuals to the idea of pronouns other than she/her and he/him along with how to use them properly.

A lot of the information that is in here is what I have stumbled upon in my research, but that didn't take awhile from this. It is always helpful to reread about how to use gender-neutral pronouns and gender-neutral terms. Living in a more conservative part of the country, this is something that I would like to keep reading about so I can help those who aren't cis and make them feel more comfortable.

This fun read helps do that and could be very useful for those who don't quite understand the gender-neutral pronouns.

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This is such a short but important book. I think everybody should read it, it explains simply what we need to know about gender-neutral pronouns and how to use them. The art was simple, just what it needed to tell us everything without doing too much and it was really enjoyable.

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I will absolutely be passing this title along to our teen librarian to purchase for the YA nonfiction collection! As a cisgendered ally, I try to follow all the suggestions made in this book, but I know I mess up and feel awful for those I misgender. As much as I find myself making mistakes, I've encountered coworkers who are even worse about it, and I really do think this would be a great addition to our professional collection as well, especially with the number of nonbinary and genderqueer patrons we have.

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Thank you NetGalley for the free e-book!

This is basically what the title says. Very educational but in a simple way so that everyone understands the concept of gender-neutral pronouns. If you are not familiar with the concept, I definitely recommend you to start with this short guide as an introduction and then continue deepening your knowledge on the topic if you wish to!

Changing our binary-gendered language is difficult, but with a little practice you'll get there. I actually envy the English language in this aspect because even if it's a whole process, it is much easier than adopting gender-neutral language in Spanish, which I'm still learning to use. I know it may seem dumb at first sight, but I believe it's necessary and eventually it will become the norm.

After all, it's about creating a welcoming environment in everyday life for non-binary pals and not about you, cisgender person who won't accept a different perspective besides your own. Be a little more empathetic. It'll be appreciated.

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I absolutely love that this is a comic! It's a comic that is made to educate and inform people on gender neutral pronouns, specifically they/them. The format is conversational with a few nice diagrams. This comic covers so many great topics including pronouns in general, misgendering, and gender neutral pronouns. It's told in a fun, and sometimes sarcastic way. The emphasis is on building empathy.



"Nothing is as cool as being an empathetic and respectful person."



I give this educational comic a 5/5. I HIGHLY recommend this. This comic would be a great gift for friends, family, AND co-workers.

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A QUICK & EASY GUIDE TO THEY/THEM PRONOUNS is exactly what the title says. I picked up the book because I struggle with detaching from what I was taught growing up and was looking for a guide not only for my self but that would also allow me to be a better ally for nonbinary friends and loved ones.

The book is simple enough to share with preteens, yet would also not seemed childish to adults of all ages. Archie and Tristan truly accomplished what they set out to do.

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What a great book, which everyone should be encouraged to read - all ages and genders.

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We live in a wonderfully diverse world, and as we grow to accept and embrace each other's differences, we also need to develop new ways of communicating with each other. Using the right pronoun for a person may seem an insignificant thing, but can be a small but vital part in conveying that a non-binary person is worthy of respect and understanding. Words matter. Words are powerful things, as all of us readers know. This lighthearted but heartfelt comic guide by friends Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson is, as the title points out, a quick and easy guide to these pronouns. It's a perfect gift for family or friends or coworkers who may be new to the use of these pronouns and really want to know how. As for the question of "Why?" the book also gives them, and all of us, that answer: "You should learn how to use the pronouns people request because you like them, love them, or work with them, and we all gotta share space on this terrible, dying planet."

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A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns is exactly what it sounds like, a super short and informative comic explaining they/them pronouns, how to use them, what to do when you make mistakes, asking for people’s pronouns and why it matters from the perspective of a nonbinary person and a cisgender man. I personally loved it, I think the comic was quick to read, easy to understand, and fun without glossing over important topics such as how trans people feel when they’re misgendered. I can’t wait until it’s out and I can push it into the hands of all my friends, nonbinary or not.

I received a copy of the book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Brief, concise and relevant. This book is so important, especially for those who are just finding out about gender-neutral pronouns. The authors tried to keep it simple and quick to read, and they succeeded. I loved the dynamics between the two narrators. It is funny and light-hearted but doesn't neglect the weight nor the significance of the topic at any time. Everyone should read this.

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This graphic novel provides and outstandingly clear and effective method of explaining the concept of gender neutrality and really just respecting the diversity of others. It targets an audience that may struggle with accepting gender neutrality without being overly defensive and confrontational. It draws comparisons for readers to help them understand the complexity and wrap their heads around its complications. I would recommend this title to anyone who I find struggling to understand and would hope that sharing it through various avenues of readers advisory that it might help at least a few people in our wonderfully complicated world.

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This book is so needed. Like 100%. I've already recommended it to friends and colleagues, fellow authors, and anyone else I think would benefit from reading it. It's really a straightforward way to look at they/them pronouns. As our world strives to be more open and accepting, books like this are necessary to give information, context, and insight. People fear and hate what they don't understand. This book breaks it down in an easy to understand manner. The graphic novel style is appealing and the art fun. Writing is very conversational and open. The manner in which trans pronoun issues are addressed is both education and non-confrontational, so a major bonus overall.

5/5 definitely recommend this book to everyone.

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Wonderful and short explanation on how to use pronouns and be respectful. Length is perfect.

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This book does exactly what it says on the tin. It's short, easy to read and is a good basic guide to they/them pronouns. It's mainly aimed at people new to the concept of they/them pronouns but could also be validating and encouraging for someone who uses they/them pronouns- and useful for them to lend to friends and family! It covers how to use they/them pronouns, how to avoid misgendering people, what to do when you make a mistake and how to change your language to be more inclusive. I felt like it could have been a bit longer, but then it wouldn't be so quick and easy and might put others off.

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This is a great, to-the-point illustration for working with and getting people around you used to alternate pronouns for non-binary humans. I think it would be a valuable piece to have in a YA or Adult Graphic Novel collection.

It is funny and sweet and I really want to buy a bunch of copies to hand out to people who misgender my friends.

The artwork is adorbable and I would buy it as a gift for parents and family members.

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This is a wonderfully illustrated and humorous guide to they/them pronouns, covering important topics such as making small adaptations to common phrases to make them more inclusive and appropriately correcting yourself after misgendering someone, as well as giving a general introduction to the pronouns. The illustrations are lovely and both authors communicate everything from tips to personal experience clearly and coherently. The guide gives the topic the due weight and respect while being accessible and entertaining. An excellent, informative resource that has clearly been made with care and the best of intentions.

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5/5 Stars
Oh my gosh this book was awesome and so informative!
This book educates its readers on transgender pronouns in a friendly and comedic way, which you don't often see these days.
I personally like to stay informed when it comes to social issues, especially considering I don't have a lot of real life experience with transgender, agender, or genderfluid people at all.
I really liked this because it offers two different perspectives. The perspective of the cis gender man, and the agender person, who prefers they/them pronouns.
I honestly have no critiques! The perfect amount of information, just enough to educate and inform, but not too much as to bore most (which unfortunately happens).

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This book is useful for anyone who wants to learn more about gender neutral pronouns, and why it's important to respect everyone's pronouns, Cute format and also approachable!

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This is an easy humorous way of explaining something slightly complicated, especially if you are new to it then it can get complex. It even comes with practical guides and examples. And, it gives advice on how to come out as non-binary and what not to do for cis-gender people (binary).

It's a great and quick read. It very informative and I learned a lot. If you need a guide on the They/Them pronoun I highly recommend this one

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This is definitely a good starting point for all of us that are confused by gender neutral pronouns. Many of us in same sex relationships have often used they/them pronouns for our partners before we come out, so doing so for friends and/or family that are non-binary shouldn't be a problem. But sometimes it is. I liked the scripts they give us to get us started with being able to ask and how to ask which pronouns people use.

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Gender identity and gender neutral pronouns are becoming increasing important in today's world. (Not that they weren't important before!) Everyone can benefit from reading this very important book. This timely comic guide is beautifully handled with humor and extreme clarity. I especially appreciated the careful handling of the subject and the attention to the fact that 'switching' pronoun use in our vocabulary can be challenging and require a real attempt to put gender neutral pronouns into everyday practice. Why is this so important? All individuals are entitled to feel comfortable with who they are. Confusion and acceptance of gender identity can be eased with many of the suggestions and examples in this guide.

For anyone approaching this with the attitude of 'just another attempt at forcing political correctness' -- consider this: EVERYONE benefits from the use of gender neutral pronouns-- even cisgender individuals. While reading, it brought back memories from my teen years of being misidentified on the phone or from appearance (because I had longer hair) and how bad and embarrassed it made me feel even though it was not intentional

This book needs to be available EVERYWHERE... but especially in schools, libraries and in the workplace. Educators and HR personnel can greatly influence change and acceptance. This book should be an important tool for change.

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