In support of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read bill, author Malinda Lo spoke with author and illustrator Mike Curato about his experiences with challenges to his graphic novel Flamer, whose protagonist realizes his queer identity during an intense summer at Boy Scout camp. See also our recent Banned Books Week...

Back in my late twenties, when I decided to finally, earnestly try to be a novelist, I chose to start with something I thought would be easy: a fairy-tale retelling. I figured that since I already knew the plot, I wouldn’t get stuck. (All seasoned writers who are reading this...