Nothing Without Us cover and slogan: We're the heroes, not the sidekicks.

Two Reviews in One Week? YAY!

Pinch me! Actually, don’t. Keep two metres away, please. But still, you can metaphorically pinch me because in the middle of *gestures at pandemic*, I was so surprised to receive notifications of two new reviews of Nothing Without Us!

The first one is “Centering Differences,” written by Cherie Pyne for the Montreal Review of Books. That thrilled me because I grew up in Montreal, so it’s always lovely when you get acknowledgement from your home city:

The manifesto of plucky editors Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson for this anthology was to gather great short stories that not only centre the disabled experience (all main characters are disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse, spoonie, and/or managing mental illness or chronic conditions), but also buck the tired tropes that dominate disabled representation. 

Cherie Pyne for Montreal Review of books

The second review is “CLUBHOUSE: Review: Nothing Without Us, a genre anthology about disability,” written by R. Graeme Cameron for Amazing Stories magazine. I was gobsmacked by this conclusion:

I think this is an important and significant book. Certainly memorable. You won’t forget what you’ve read when you put it down. This anthology deserves an Aurora Award, in my opinion. It’s that good.

R. Graeme Cameron for Amazing Stories

I mean, I think our authors are brilliant, so to me, Nothing Without Us is award-winning content. Even if we don’t earn a nomination this year, it’s still so lovely that someone feels the same way as I do about the quality of this anthology.

But, hey, if you are a member of the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association (CSFFA) and can vote for who gets on the 2020 ballot, and you feel inspired to nominate Nothing Without Us (by Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson), that would be most lovely!

In the meantime, I want to bake something. I feel cake is in order.


Cait Gordon, in a black and white digital sketch

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate who wants everyone to pummel that curve!

She’s also the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers. When Cait’s not writing, she’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She also teamed up with Kohenet Talia C. Johnson to co-edit the Nothing Without Us anthology in an attempt to take over the world.

Book cover of Nothing Without Us: A russet brick wall with faded tan, aqua, white, and yellow paint. Spray-painted in bold are the words Nothing Without Us.

Nothing Without Us is included in a book review about authentic disability representation!

What a lovely thing it is to wake up to a Facebook chat where my BFF (Talia C. Johnson) is telling Nathan Fréchette (Renaissance) and me that there’s an article in NewCityLit zine that mentions Nothing Without Us: Four Disability Anthologies That Are Actually Authentic: A Review of “About Us,” “Firsts,” “Nothing Without Us” and “Defying Doomsday”

‘There’s something for everyone in these twenty-two stories that range the gamut from satirical to thrilling and suspenseful.’

Robert Kingett, author and journalist

To be recognized for our authenticity really matters to me. I might be a feisty disability advocate, but most of my advocacy is to boost creatives who identify as disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse, Spoonie, and/or those who manage mental illness. There are so many of us in WriterWorldLand, too. It was a pleasure for Talia and me to bring these 22 stories for everyone to enjoy.

What an honour to be included in a list with three other stellar works! Much thanks to Robert Kingett for boosting our collection. (Please consider reading and sharing the full article).


Cait Gordon, in a black and white digital sketch

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate and the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers. When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She also teamed up with Kohenet Talia C. Johnson to co-edit the Nothing Without Us anthology in an attempt to take over the world. Narf.

ID, book cover: A multi-coloured nebula of purples, blues, and aquas. A ringed planet. A little alien, resembling a fried egg with huge eyes, nonchalantly hurtles through space.

My Top-Ten Favourite Reader Comments on Life in the ´Cosm

I know an author has to maintain some distance from reader reviews. I am also fully aware that not everyone will like Life in the ´Cosm, and people are completely entitled to their opinions. There are books I’ve not enjoyed either. It happens.

But these particular excerpts made me smile. (Btw, if you did like my book, a positive review is a great boon to us emerging authors. Thanks to all who have left reviews on GoodReads and Amazon.)

#10, Awwww.

This book was fantastic! Funny, endearing, with a great diversity of characters. The MC is a writer, too, which appeals to me, and he exorcises his demons through his (very bad) fantasy novel.

My first-ever review! This author made me feel like a real author.

#9, Are you okay, though?

I have to admit that I was a little bit jaded going into this book. However I was soon surprised and laughing so hard that I am sure that I injured several internal organs.

I might have to inform my publisher that we need to post a medical warning.

#8, WHEEE!

Fun, zany, boingy!

This was just the title of the review. I think it alone captures what I was trying to achieve with the book.

#7, Please check your fried eggs, mkay?

Life in the ´Cosm is a wonderfully fun read. If you’re expecting hard speculative fiction or hard science fiction, this book isn’t it. If you like fun, humorous science fiction this book is great! The story is witty with zany lovable characters. Just don’t mistakenly eat Splot next time you are out for breakfast or brunch.

Sound advice, really.

#6, Mmm . . . candy.

This book is sheer, silly, candy coated fun, and it also manages to sneak in some extremely progressive ideas stealthily between the desserts. Inventive and often deliriously funny.

This author’s comment is as almost as sweet as Sonny’s sugary treats!

#5, I’m drawn to this review.

The characters are lovable and wonderfully diverse, and the story-within-a-story device helps drive the plot along and add an extra layer of humor to an already hilarious tale. If me dropping my book to draw fan art doesn’t convince you that this book is seriously awesome, I don’t know what will.

This reader sent me an incredible drawing of Noola, according to the description in chapter 3. I’ll treasure it always.

#4, Woohoo! Glad you caught this!

I also loved how inclusive this book was. It does well in avoiding all the mistakes that writers often get wrong when writing LGBTQA+ characters, and it doesn’t pander, either. I loved that the flamboyantly gay hairdressing couple also happened to be one of the most feared pair of military men in the history of their people. AND they didn’t lose their flamboyance, even in action situations.

Xax and Viv know who they are and will always be exactly themselves, no matter what situation they’re in. I was so happy this author picked up on that.

#3, From down under.

A fun look at the novel within the novel, the tormented soul of a writer, all in a fantastical setting. It is written in the proud tradition of comedy sci-fi but is absolutely enjoyable for anyone as the characters have regularly every day concerns just like us.

This quote is from an Australian author I admire. I did try to write a novel for everyone, and not just space-opera enthusiasts. Yay!

#2, I’m not worthy.

Just finished Life in the ´Cosm by the fantabulous Cait Gordon. It was an intergalactic joyride of epic proportions. Laugh out loud hilarious, touching, endearing and wonderful don’t do it enough justice. The book was a joy to read from start to finish. The characters were awesome and had so much depth to them. Yes, this is a sci-fi novel but one with heart, verve and warmth. I loved this book so very much and can’t wait for Virj and Noola’s next adventure! Write faster, won’t you Cait?

This author’s review move me so deeply. When someone who’s written over 60 books says this about a first-novel, it matters.

#1, One day I will stop laughing at this review.

For most of the book, I HATED the main character. Virj has his head so far up his a$$ that it’s almost unbearable, even though he seems to be a genuinely nice guy.

Yup. This was my favourite. It is dead on. I don’t blame this reader for their opinion one bit. His head is totally stuck up his backside. The man could easily see his own tonsils.

CosmFinalCover

You can buy your own copy of my book on Amazon or from Renaissance, my publisher. Hope you have a fun ride and don’t forget to leave a review of your own. Cheers!


cgauthorCait Gordon is the author of Life in the ’Cosm, a comedic space opera where boy meets girl, but girl doesn’t notice boy because she’s sharing a body with another boy. She is also the creator and editor of the Spoonie Authors Network. You can follow Cait on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Review of Life in the ’Cosm, by Author Jamieson Wolf

The following is Canadian author Jamieson Wolf’s review of Life in the ’Cosm from his post, Best Books of 2016. Thanks, Jamieson! We can’t wait for your upcoming Lust and Lemonade this spring!


Life in the ’Cosm by Cait Gordon

20161123_135849_hdrThis isn’t your typical boy meets girl story.

Virj Ofreesin is writing a fantasy novel. In it, the girl he loves is in love with him* but can’t have him. In reality, she is actually part of the Dwa species, two sharing one body, able to spend eternity with their soul mate.

Though everyone from his gay dads to his sentient daisy Sonny and his Ovum, Splot, tells him that it will never happen, Virj isn’t one to give up on his hearts desire. He had loved Frayda for three years. He won’t stop loving her just because everyone else is telling him that it can’t happen. The heart knows no limitations.

Then he meets Noola. She’s annoying, constantly chipper, a total klutz and dresses in eye watering sparkly clothing. She is also living in the same complex as [Virj] and happens to be the new editor at his office. Virj wonders how his life could get any worse.

When he learns that the Dwa Frayda and Jobie are ill, he agrees to fly to a planet in the middle of a war zone to retrieve a mystical plant that only grows upon its soil. He is congratulating himself on his bravery…until Noola says that she is going with him.

Armed with his tablet and his thirst for sweets, Virj is a man on a mission.

Life in the ‘Cosm is an intergalactic joyride of epic proportions. Laugh out loud hilarious, touching, endearing and wonderful don’t do it enough justice. The book was a joy to read from start to finish. The characters were awesome and had so much depth to them. Yes, this is a sci-fi novel but one with heart, verve and warmth. I loved this book so very much and can’t wait for Virj and Noola’s next adventure!

  • Ah, but is Frayda in love with Virj? Read for yourself, peeps! ~Cait G

Reader feedback on Life in the ‘Cosm: Oct 6, 2016

This book is delightful. The characters are relatable in their humor (and struggles), and the world-building is done in a subtle way that isn’t glaringly jarring or overly pointed… you just get swept up and carried along. And the visuals are great. Definitely worth a read for fans of almost any genre. You won’t be sorry.

~ StarkTech, on Amazon US


Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

~ Cait