#161 | Why Queer Stories Like 'Run Away With Me' Are Essential in a Time of Book Bans and Backlash: Lessons from Brian Selznick's Newest YA Novel

What if young queer people could see themselves in stories that aren’t defined by pain, shame, or violence — but by beauty, belonging, and first love?

In this luminous episode, Heather Hester sits down with beloved author and illustrator Brian Selznick to explore his new YA novel, Run Away With Me — a queer love story set in a hauntingly empty Rome, rooted in history, imagination, and radical compassion. From honoring LGBTQ+ lives across centuries to rejecting the trauma narrative as the only lens for queer stories, this conversation is an emotional masterclass in art, allyship, and affirmation.

• Discover how Run Away With Me blends historical fiction, YA romance, and queer joy without erasing real-world struggles
• Hear Brian’s powerful reflections on queer identity, resilience, and writing without fear
• Learn how stories — especially illustrated novels — can give young people a sense of history, hope, and visibility

Press play to fall in love with this conversation and discover why queer stories — especially ones told with tenderness and truth — matter now more than ever.

Brian Selznick’s books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and

have been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his

genre-breaking thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York

Times bestseller, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning

movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted

by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and then the New York

Times bestseller, The Marvels. In praising his body of work, The Washington Post said, “Brian

Selznick proves to be that rare creator capable of following one masterpiece with another.” The

Associated Press called Selznick “one of publishing’s most imaginative storytellers.” Selznick’s

most recent novels, Big Tree (inspired by an idea from Steven Spielberg) and Kaleidoscope,

were both national bestsellers and were named New York Times Notable Children’s Books. He

also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of the #1 globally bestselling Harry Potter

series. Selznick has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, CBS Sunday

Morning, and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The

Guardian, Le Monde, la Repubblica, among many other renowned publications worldwide. He

and his husband Dr. David Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla,

California.

https://brianselznick.com

https://instagram.com/thebrianselznick

Buy Run Away With Me Now!

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

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At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.

If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health, safety, and a human first approach, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.