Author Aaron H. Aceves on bisexual representation in media and being a voice for queer kids of color
Aaron H. Aceves‘ new novel This Is Why They Hate Us follows 17-year-old Enrique as he navigates his summer trying to deflect the feelings he has for his best friend, Saleem.
As a way to void out the boy, he searches for other prospects with the support of his best friend Fabiola, but learns it’s challenging to do when you’re a closeted bisexual.The book is sweet and charming tale of personhood and self-discovery that will make you laugh as much as it will make you cry, and it will have you rooting for Enrique until the very end.In a recent interview with Queerty, Aceves, mentioned the importance of amplifying POC queer and trans voices, what he wants readers to take away from his first published release, and what the zodiac signs are for the three main characters. (There are a lot of earth signs, arguably.) Check out what he had to say…Queerty: Okay, I’m really excited to speak with you because I read This Is Why They Hate Us, twice, and bravo!
High-key, this is my Heartthrob.Aceves: Well, thank you so much! Yeah, I wrote this for a 17-year-old me, and I wish he could’ve gotten it… But yeah, there are kids who are gonna get it!It’s going to affect a lot of people.
Readers will see themselves in many of these characters, which is really cool. How did you conceptualize the original idea for the book?So initially, there was no plot.
