Ryan Scott Kennedy » young adult

We’ve gone digital! ‘f2m’ e-book now available

Ryan — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:13:36 +0000

‘f2m: the boy within’ is now available worldwide at $14.99 US via the wonders of digital technology and the internet.

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!

Wellington launch at Unity Books: 21 July

Ryan — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:28:30 +0000

New Zealand launch of ‘f2m: the boy within’

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

Book launched, cake eaten

Ryan — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:19:07 +0000

I’m back in Wellington, New Zealand after our very successful book launch for f2m: the boy within. A good-sized crowd of wonderful people attended. I know they were wonderful because every one of them came up to me and had a chat.

Here I am signing copies with Hazel while author Sofie Laguna looks on:

Our publisher from Ford Street Paul Collins said a few words to start, then Hazel took the floor and explained some of the quirks of our writing process, namely being in different countries. At the point this photo below was taken, I am pointing out that the book is the ultimate in recycling, as I drew from my online journal to start the writing process.

My favourite photo from the day: myself and author/illustrator Felicity Marshall, gazing into each others’ eyes for effect (we’d met that day).

And there was cake! It was delicious.

A fabulous day in all. Thanks to everyone who came! I’m very proud to be a part of this collaboration and the opportunities it will bring to readers.

Life Matters interview

Our interview on Life Matters with Richard Aedy was aired on Wednesday morning. Recording in the ‘Tardis’ at Southbank was an experience in itself. I have new respect for anyone working in radio.

Listen to the Life Matters podcast

We are GO for launch!

Ryan — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:56:46 +0000

We have set a date! f2m: the boy within is being launched by Hazel, myself and Ford Street Publishing.

Please come along and bring anyone who’s interested. For catering purposes it would be great if you could RSVP by 10 February to info@fordstreetpublishing.com.
Queries: Lindy Dadd on (03) 9426 5688 or
Paul Collins: (03) 9481 1120

When: Sunday 14th February at 2pm
Where: Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond
Click for map of venue
Download the invitation as a PDF

I hope to see you there!

f2m:the boy within trailer

Blog interview

Since last update Hazel and I were interviewed for The Clock Monkey, a cool blog by Ella, a teenager in Argentina. It’s my first interview and I had a lot of fun writing the answers to some interesting questions.

Read our interview with Ella from Clock Monkey

First copy of the book has arrived!

Ryan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:56:20 +0000

I’m now the proud owner of exactly one copy of mine and Hazel’s book:

First copy of f2m (to arrive at my house)

It’s thicker than I thought it would be.

I’m not a particularly good photographer so the focus does something interesting and blurs the title. The little figures are glossy and embossed, and the rest is matt.

So, only three months until lots of these hit the stores!

f2m: the boy within – first novel out Feb 2010

Ryan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:43:41 +0000

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.