Buy ‘f2m: the boy within’ as a Kindle e-book

Converting a whole book to Kindle format was a new experience for me. It was a challenge to navigate forums, helpful blogs and Amazon’s own Digital Text Platform (DTP) help pages to get the instructions I needed. I actually converted it from Word to HTML (Amazon converts it to Kindle format) with a sprinkling of Kindle-only snippets that I’m sure are only included to liven up the conversion process.

One of the main reasons for writing ‘f2m: the boy within’ was to share information with as many people as possible about what it’s like to transition gender. The e-book version gives us the opportunity to make the book more accessible to those people who want that information in an easy-to-read format.

I’m glad we did this, and I look forward to working on the audio book!

f2m: the boy within will be launched by Kevin Hague, Green MP and Rainbow spokesperson at 6pm on Wednesday 21st July 2010 at Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington.

Featuring co-authors Hazel Edwards (via Skype) and Ryan Kennedy, Mani Mitchell and the Tranzform transgender youth group.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Download PDF invitation | Facebook event

No need to RSVP. Queries to (04) 499 4245 or 0800 486 489

Links

• Hazel Edwards, co-author
• Kevin Hague, Green MP and Rainbow spokesperson
• Unity Books, Wellington
• Mani Mitchell
• Tranzform
• Ford Street Publishing

]]> http://ryanscottkennedy.com/2010/06/f2m-wellington-launch/feed/ 1 http://ryanscottkennedy.com/2009/10/f2m-the-boy-within-first-novel-out-feb-2010/ http://ryanscottkennedy.com/2009/10/f2m-the-boy-within-first-novel-out-feb-2010/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:43:41 +0000 Ryan http://ryanscottkennedy.com/?p=503 My first novel, called f2m: the boy within, will be published in February 2010, published by Ford Street publishing.

I co-wrote it with Australian author Hazel Edwards, recently nominated for the Astrid Lindgren award.

Synopsis

What happens when who you are on the inside clashes with what you are on the outside?

All adolescents face the quest for identity, but gender change complicates ‘coming of age’.

School-leaver Skye plays guitar in her all-girl band, The Chronic Cramps. Making her name in the punk music scene is easier than FTM (female to male) transitioning: from Skye to Finn, from girl to man. At the school reunion, Finn faces victimisation, but challenges the bullies.

Uncovering genetic mysteries about family heritage tears the family apart. Gran’s loved sibling Al was also Alberta. Transgender identity is more than hormones and surgery, it’s about acceptance. Going public, Finn sings FTM lyrics on TV.

With a little help from bemused mates and parents who don’t want to lose a daughter, but who love their teenager, Finn is transitioning.

Kaha Queer Youth Hui 2009

This amazing conference was at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay.

We were welcomed onto the marae in the traditional way, with a powhiri, waiata and hongi. Bruce Stewart introduced the place and its fairly unique history. Check out the website for his story, it’s fascinating. I haven’t felt such a spiritual connection to a place since living in Hanson St at the activist house. This was much stronger because of its history. It seems when people dedicate their lives to others their home builds up its own spirit that I can feel around me.

Youth work training – Some great ideas for getting people to come to grips with a potentially boring document: the Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand. We played memory games, talked about issues, did things with cards and rearranged sections. I’m making a submission, my other hobby.

Workshops – I’ve never done so many workshops in a row. Pretty sure this was the draining part of the weekend. I learned a lot from other people’s experiences and opinions. Sometimes I feel like Brooklynne and I are the only queer people we know – so valuable to get new outlooks, especially trans ones.

Concert – One minute I was asking the lady who taught us the waiata for its chords and the next I was second guitarist in Tiwhanawhana, accompanying about 30 singers and dancers. I joined their group!

Friends – Yay for new friends! I never got to go to things like this as an actual yoof of teen age so it was great to go and make lotsa new friends while I’m still vaguely young.

We voted at the end – to coincide with the Asia Pacific OutGames, Kaha Hui 2011 is going international!

New Zealand Transgender Inquiry Report.

Recently I attended the latest meeting for the Transgender Inquiry, run by the Human Rights Commission.  I’ve attended several other fairly highly-charged meetings where emotions ran hot. Transgender people and allies rarely have a forum like this to air our grievances and it shows. (We do air good things too, but there are usually more grievances than good things.)

Forums where transgender issues are discussed by transgender people can bring out some prejudices too. Like a relative of mine who married a European immigrant but never ceased to rail against Asian immigrants, we can’t always see when we are attacking ourselves by trying to raise standards.  Some trans people strongly believe boundary-pushers like Thomas Beatie are making us all look like freaks. (I personally will always support trailblazers like this.)

The Action list in the back of the report is a few pages long. It’s been split into 5 areas for immediate action, which I will repeat here so it has a permanent home:

• increasing participation of trans people in decisions that affect them
• strengthening the legal protections making discrimination against trans people unlawful
• improving access to health services, including gender reassignment services
• simplifying requirements for change of sex details on a birth certificate, passport and other documents
• giving urgent attention to the significant human rights issues experienced by intersex people

My submission was a description of my involvement with various medical and government organisations and the effect of this on my health and wellbeing. I had a rant, but a focused one. And yes, I read through the Inquiry Report looking for my quotes as well as reading it.

I was fairly sceptical when this process started, not being a big fan of government organisations. But I’m pleased with the work the Human Rights Commission have done and hope to have more time to contribute in the new year.