This is what folks have to say about my stories!
Nothing Without Us Too (Renaissance, 2022)
“This is why books like Nothing Without Us Too are so important. Stories featuring disabled characters that are written by disabled authors themselves are inherently stories of transformation and the new—because they come from people who’ve had to view the world in different ways in order to get by, to survive, to thrive in ways that only we know how. Disabled authors don’t just ‘fix disability in their stories—they go about fixing, as it were, the entire world.”
Amanda Leduc, author of Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space, and The Centaur’s Wife (from the foreword in Nothing Without Us Too)
“I was deeply impressed by Nothing Without Us for multiple reasons, and didn’t think that Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson could improve on the formula they had already perfected. I was wrong; Nothing Without Us Too is even better than its predecessor. While the first anthology was a tentative toe dipped in the water to see if there was any interest for an anthology about disability by disabled writers, the second one is a plunge into that pond. Created during the pandemic, Nothing Without Us Too is unapologetic and bold, and it’s exactly what is needed.”
Heather T from Just Geeking By: Nothing Without Us Too Book Review
Nothing Without Us (Renaissance, 2019)
“You can’t read Nothing Without Us and be in any doubt that these stories are about disabled and/or neurodivergent characters. The stories, the characters, the situations and the ableism is vibrantly there for all to see and there are no words to describe how liberating it was to read them. There is no holding back, no playing to a non-disabled audience and the writers’ experience bleeds through onto the pages. These fictional stories and characters give voice to experiences, and feelings that so many of the disabled and neurodivergent community will recognise.”
Heather T. from Just Geeking By: Nothing Without Us Book Review [#GeekDis]
“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: CLUBHOUSE: Review: Nothing Without Us, a genre anthology about disability
“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 the Montreal Review of Books: Centering Differences
“I’m a sucker for fiction, especially speculative and realistic fiction featuring stories where disabled people are the heroes of their own story. “Nothing Without Us” is a multi-genre, own-voices anthology where the lead characters identify as disabled, deaf, neurodiverse, spoonie, and/or managing mental illness. There’s something for everyone in these twenty-two stories that range the gamut from satirical to thrilling and suspenseful. The anthology has a vast contributor pool, which helps to spread out the many kinds of writing styles. The stories are evenly placed so you won’t get shocked because you’re suddenly jumping jarringly to a very different genre.”
Robert Kingett for NewCity zine: Four Disability Anthologies That Are Actually Authentic: A Review of “About Us,” “Firsts,” “Nothing Without Us” and “Defying Doomsday”
“As one of the authors puts it: ‘fiction allows people to explore empathy.’ And that is exactly what this book achieves.“
Tori McNeely for Ottawa Life Magazine: ‘Nothing Without Us’ addresses the lack of fictional protagonists with disabilities
“A very interesting collection of short stories written by/for/about those with physical/social/mental issues, who they feel are underrepresented in contemporary literature. Some very good stories here, some average, but all will make you think.”
James Fisher, journalist with the Miramichi Reader
“I can’t describe how refreshing it is as a disabled person to read about fully fleshed out three-dimensional characters. Not only are we pulled out of our trope-ridden literary history, we are give substance.”
Derek Newman-Stille, eight-time Prix Aurora Award winner for Speculating Canada
“Nothing Without Us is a reminder and a declaration both that narratives can—and should—elevate the voices we so rarely get to hear, but not to explain or educate, or to inspire others, or any other of the typical lenses regarding the marginalized from the outside looking in. Instead, these stories cross genres from their own point of view, definitely without apology or permission, and get down to business telling awesome tales, with characters who should have been there from the start.”
’Nathan Burgoine, Prix Aurora Award finalist for Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks
Also, read reviews of individual stories from Nothing Without Us on ’Nathan Burgoine’s Short Stories 366 series!
The Stealth Lovers (Renaissance, 2019)
A queer romance military space opera and prequel to Life in the ’Cosm!
“Cait Gordon sent us on a ride full of pew-pew physics and one of the absolute best traits of people: our humour.”
’Nathan Burgoine, Lambda Literary finalist and author of Light and Prix Aurora Award finalist and author of Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks
“Are you interested in reading a space opera that centres a queer romance and a gang of diverse friends who are alien (in the sci-fi sense) but with whom you can totally relate? That is touching at some moments and hilarious at others? That is an example of pro-peace military sci-fi? That is sweeping but also filled with exquisite detail? That is both lighthearted and serious, and doesn’t take the easy way out? Then check out Cait Gordon’s The Stealth Lovers. You won’t be sorry!”
Su. J. Sokol, author of Cycling to Asylum and Run J Run
“Okay, so if you like to laugh then this is the book for you. It’s not all laughs though. There are some genuinely touching, human moments (between characters that are not human at all). It all blends together so seamlessly, going from something that makes the reader laugh out loud, to just smile at the character interaction. This is a great prequel to Cait’s other book, Life in the ‘Cosm, and gives great backstory to two characters from that book who truly deserved to get their own to star in.”
John Haas, author of The Reluctant Barbarian and The Wayward Spider
“I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this novel and there are times I was howling with laughter. A great mix of comedy, space opera, and some romance. I am NOT a romance reader, AT ALL. I run away from romance books as fast as possible most of the time. Really, I highly recommend this book.”
Kohenet Talia C. Johnson, Chair of the Board of Heartspark Press, Co-editor of Nothing Without Us
“HOLY STARS, I loved everything about this book!!!”
Jamieson Wolf, author of Little Yellow Magnet and the Lemonade Series (Love and Lemonade is available now!)
“The fiercest, most formidable warrior-lovers in the ’Cosm are back. And the battle has never been so fabulous!”
Stephen-Graham King, author of The Maverick Heart Cycle series (A Congress of Ships is available now!)
“A truly delightful prequel to Life in the ‘Cosm! Full of humour and suspense, I definitely recommend it!”
Nathan Fréchette, author, artist, and Overseer of all Things at Presses Renaissance Press
A Night at the Rabbit Hole (from the Alice Unbound Beyond Wonderland anthology, Exile Editions, 2018)
“Alice in Wonderland is a story that plays with identity, disrupting the power that normativity has on our society. Cait Gordon has tapped into that power that Wonderland has to resist normativity and creates a GenderQueer Alice who has just come out and taken on their new name and pronouns. It is refreshing to read a story featuring a GenderQueer character that is not about the struggles of occupying their identity.” Read more…
Derek Newman-Stille, from WONDERful, a review in Speculating Canada
‘”A Night at the Rabbit Hole” by Cait Gordon is a surreal tale blending urban fantasy with science fiction. The narrator is a gender-neutral person whose cell phone begins talking on its own. Strange encounters happen at a nightclub, and aliens are involved. The sheer madness of this story will appeal to some, but disconcert others.’ Read more…
Victoria Silverwolf, Tangent magazine
Life in the ’Cosm (Renaissance, 2016)
“This book was a delight from start to finish, but it’s the last third that shines, keeping me glued to the page. Honestly, if you’re looking for a light, funny story with equal parts sass and romance, this is most definitely the book for you.” Read more…
S. M. Carrière, author of Skylark (Available now!)
“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?”
Jamieson Wolf, number-one bestselling author of Living Beyond the Waves
“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 – ‘Twenty tregas a can? For that price they should’ve boinked me five ways I’ve never tried before!’ Lots of cute word choices to enjoy. Happy reading.”
Robin Elizabeth, author of Confessions of a Mad Mooer: Postnatal Depression sucks
“Simply charming! Unforgettable characters and great settings. Also enjoyed the dialog. Would make a fine animated film, perhaps. Funny and poignant. Looking forward to more from this author!”
Jeffrey Luscombe, Kerry Schooley Award finalist for Shirts and Skins
Cait Gordon—author and editor 