January 2026 Queer Releases

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white square with a thin outline and text that reads "193 queer books coming out in January!". The 193 is in matching horizontal rainbow stripes and January is in blue text. Text between the number and month are all caps black font.

🌈 What's COMING OUT (pun intended) this January? Which books are you excited for? Which books are you adding to your TBR? Any other queer releases you know of?

We do our best to screen books for AI usage and do not include books with covers that are made by generative AI, or books written by generative AI. If there was a mistake, please let us know.

Note: Some dates may have changed. We haven’t read all of these books, so please check reviews for more details on queer identities represented and The StoryGraph for content warnings!

1

Queer Books of Late Victorian Print Culture by Frederick D. King

Lenchitudes: Sapphic Representation in Contemporary Mexican Narrative by Alejandra Márquez

Mourning and Mobilization in the Americas by Lydia Huerta Moreno

Extant by Jenny L Davis

Lambent by T.D. Cloud

Devil's Gambit (The King's Fool Mysteries) by Jeri Westerson


2

Cleat Chaser (Extra Innings) by Aimee Rivkin

Pinned Down (Forbidden Goals Book 9) by Rebecca Rathe

Evan (The Wild Edges Book 2) by Lark Taylor

Pumped (Gymbos Book 2) by K.M. Neuhold

Between the Pipes (The Games We Play Season 2) by Kate Bauer

Welcome to Luminance (Luminance Vol 0.5) by Avery Storm

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

 

5

I Was Married to a Horse, and Other Tales of an Accidental Anthropologist by John Borneman

Stillness and Survival: A Life Between Trauma, Glitter, and the Echo of My Own Voice by Jacob Anthony Rose

Vengeance (An Amagi Chronicles Novel) by Beck Grey 


6

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine Vol. 1 by Liu Gou Hua

Ace of Hearts: Lessons in Love from an Asexual Girl by Cooklin

Queering UK Refugee Law: Sexual Diversity and Asylum Administration by Alex Powell

Fugitive Anthropology: Embodying Activist Research by Shanya Cordis

Direct Nailing (Brannon Boys Book 3) by Katherine McIntyre

Cruel Summer (The Taylors Version Book 2) by Elizabeth Eulberg

Jackson Alone by Jose Ando, Kalau Almony (Translator)

Lost in the Cloud Vol. 2 by Kim Pas

The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé Vol. 4 by Fumito

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Let Me See the Real You, Senpai! Vol. 2 by Yuho Okita

Go for It, Nakamura-Kun!! Vol. 2 by Syundei

Through Gates of Garnet & Gold (Wayward Children Book 11) by Seanan McGuire

Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur

Lawyering for Liberation: A Toolbox for Movement Lawyers by Ameca Reali

I Don't Think I'm Straight by Isabella Dorta

Pink Candy Kiss, Vol. 4 by Ami Uozumi

Cinemas of Bisexual Transgression by Jacob Engelberg

Co-Motion: Re-Thinking Power, Subjects, and Feminist and Queer Alliances by Paola Bacchetta

Radio Storm Vol. 3 by Team S&S

She Was Monstress Volume Two by Robin Jo Margaret, Amanda & Rory Webb, Joachim Heijndermans, Delilah Sparks, Nico Silver, Caitlin Alise Donovan, Stephanie Jean, Nicole L. Soper Gorden, Maya Maitea


7

Hollywood Glitz & Glamour by Ariella Talix

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

 

8

Nash (Honorably Discharged) by Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey


9

Eros by Nicholas Michael Matiz

New Love by Nicholas Michael Matiz

Radical Desires: French Gay Liberation and Anticolonial Critique by Hauke Branding

Rebound Control (Chicago Thunder Book 5) by Jodi Oliver

Queering Women, Peace and Security: Expanding Feminist Approaches to Gender in Peacebuilding by Jamie J. Hagen

Bottle Rocket (The Games We Play Season 2) by B. Ripley

The Selkie's Curse (The Dagger & Tide Trilogy Book 2) by Vivien Nash

A Reckless Indulgence (A Pirate Monster Romance) by Aveda Vice

Maxwell (Paranormal Council Enforcers Book 18) by Taylor Rylan


11

When Death Gives You Lemons by Alice Brooks

Always, Her (Thistle & Threads) by A.J. Knight

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

 

12

The Rhythm of Raine at Dawn (Perfect Muse Book 1) by Aricka Alexander


13

I, in the Shadows by Tori Bovalino

Mega Milk by Megan Milks

Hollow by Celina Myers

Coltswood by Jules Revel

Red and the Wolves by Cherry Zong

The Love Book by Gun Brooke

Traveling Toward Forever by Erin Dutton

Queer Print Cultures: Resistance, Subversion and Community by Javier Samper Vendrell & Vance Byrd

A Vow in Vengeance (Immortal Desires Book 1) by Jaclyn Rodriguez

Greta Gets the Girl by Melissa Marr

The Way Out: Justice in the Queer Search for Refuge by Rebecca Buxton & Samuel Max Ritholtz

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

There's Something Wrong with the Chief: Du Zhu You Bing Vol. 2 by Yang Su

BL Game Rebirth: My New Life as the Hero's Younger Brother Vol. 3 by Yui Hanaka

Divine Ruin: A Sister Holiday Mystery (Sister Holiday Mysteries) by Margot Douaihy

A Yuri Love Story That Begins With Getting Dumped in a Dream Vol. 1 by Hijiki

The Book of Blood and Roses (The Callisto Chronicles Book 1) by Annie Summerlee

Two Left Feet by Kallie Emblidge

For Our Next Song (Glitter Bats Book 2) by Jessica James

Sheer by Vanessa Lawrence

Genderqueer Menopause: Navigating Menopause for Trans, Gender-Nonconforming, Genderfluid, and Other Queer-Bodied Folx by Lasara Firefox Allen

Like in Love with You by Emma R. Alban

You’ll Never Forget Me by Isha Raya

Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

City of Others by Jared Poon

Brady Mason’s Perfect Fit by Nicole Melleby

Love Me to Death Vol. 1 by Toonimated

LGBTQ+ Runaway and Homeless Youth: A Guide to Practice, Policy, and Research by Elaine M. Maccio & Kristin Ferguson

Jean by Madeleine Dunnigan

Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin

Midsummer Count: New and Selected Poems by Robin Becker

Gushing Over Magical Girls Vol.  7 by Akihiro Ononaka

Queering Him by Katherine Wela Bogen

Roses and Champagne Vol. 2 by Zig

Little Wolf in the Storm Vol. 1 by Adik Graves

The Debutante Dilemma by Jane Walsh

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Coda by Anna Gram

Secrets Under the Junipers by Suzie Clarke

Brooke Takes Queen by Alaina Erdell


14

Drag Me Home Again (Sleighbell Sprints Series Book 1) by J.E. Joyce

Love Mediation (Conflict Mediation: Not So Normative Book 4) by D.C. Emerson

Blooms & Bickering by Morgan Park

Sleeping Faun (An Autumn & Arcadia Novel) by Nico Silver


15

Slut Lullabies: Stories by Gina Frangello

The Iridescents: Stories by Emrys Donaldson

Beyond Recognition: Transgender Antidiscrimination Law, Rhetoric, & Ethical Responsibility by Laura Jane Collins

Exposing Colorado (State of Us Book 3) by Bree Wiley

Survival Instinct (Inhuman Natures Book 2) by Marra Moore

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Shapes of Our Screams by TT Madden

The Familialists by TT Madden

Melting Ice (Department of Super Affairs) by E.C. Merrick


16

Echoes & Embers by Nicholas Michael Matiz

Bound by Ink (Scions of Bellhaven Novella) by Ariella Monti


17

God Tokens (Phelen the Cycle Book 1) by Emily Bellman


19

Ski-Crossed Lovers (Love on the Podium) by Allison Temple


20

Soul of a Gentleman Witch by David Ferraro

I Am Their Silence by Jordi Lafebre

Vanquished (The Elder Tree Trilogy Book 3) by Erica Rose Eberhart

Worst-Case Scenario by Ray Stoeve

If All the Stars Go Dark by S. G. Prince

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

He Craves to Be Teased by His Favorite ASMR Streamer Vol. 1 by Coco Aino

Twin Jades of Jiangdong Vol. 1 by Fei Tian Ye Xiang

Leo Rising: Queer Spaces, Sexuality, and Fame by Archie Bongiovanni

Low Tide in Twilight Vol. 1 by Euja

Steppe by Oksana Vasyakina

A Wild Radiance by Maria Ingrande Mora

A Black Queer History of the United States by C. Riley Snorton & Darius Bost

Our Ex’s Wedding by Taleen Voskuni

George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett

Better The Devil by Erik J. Brown

When You Come Back to Me (Lost Boys) by Emma Scott

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylve

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Typewriter and the Guillotine by Mark Braude

Bending the Rules: Fashion Beyond the Binary by Camille Benda

Hemlock by Melissa Faliveno

Designated Stranger by Gion Davis

I Don't Wish You Well by Jumata Emill

Paying Her Way by Amanda Kabak

One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson

Blood City Rollers: Move It or Bruise It by V P Anderson, Tatiana Hill (Illustrator)

Bytchcraft by Aaron Reese, Bex Glendining (Colorist), Morgan Martinez (Letterer), Lema Carril (Illustrator)

Not Your Founding Father by Nina Sankovitch

Rain Date: Unpredictable Lessons from My Life Forecasting the Weather by Nick Pittman

Chamorrita Song by Danielle P Williams

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Now That I Know You by Heart by Amy Hagstrom

Minato's Laundromat Vol. 6 by Yuzu Tsubaki

Semantic Error Vol. 1 by J Soori

Lover Boy Vol. 4 by Zec

Radiance Is Blooming by Y L Wigman

Wish I May (Three Wishes Book 1) by Hannah Murray

Perfect Strangers by J. Rhys

So Dearly Reckless Vol. 1 by Tenma Asahi, Raenoire (Translator), Tsutsuji Takahashi (Illustrator)


21

Kink Curious: A Guide to Exploring Your Kinks, Dispelling Shame, and Staying Safe by Gigi Engle


22

We Call Them Witches by India-Rose Bower

Quiet Spells (Spells for Life & Death Book 2) by Isa Agajanian

Photographing Biblical Modernity: Frank Scholten in British Mandate Palestine 1921-23 by Sary Zananiri

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Queer Liberalisms and Marginal Mobilities by Fadi Saleh

Abrasive, Soft and Ecological: Masculinities in North India by Kaustav Chakraborty

Mine, Yours & Ours (Pretty When Vicious Book 1) by Karmen Lee


23

Love After Friday by Nicholas Michael Matiz

Her Whisper so Soft & Bitter (A Curse of Fallen Stars Book 2) by Elsie Hawthorne

Predator & Prey by E.V. Dean


24

Madame Hyde by Thea Belmont


26

Soft Launch (Hazardverse: Sidetracks) by Gregory Ashe

A Good Puck (Love on the Podium Book 2) byRochelle Wolf


27

The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman

Persona by Aoife Josie Clements

Fair Game: Trans Athletes & the Future of Sports by Ellie Roscher & Dr. Ana Baeth

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

To Ride a Rising Storm (Nampeshiweisit Book 2) by Moniquill Blackgoose

In the Name of Pride (Vows & Valor Book 2) by Courtney & Clarke Collins

Nothing at All by Olivia Tapiero, Kit Schluter (Translator)

Saber-Tooth by Robin Gow

Blue Land: Stories by CD Collins

Freddie and Stella Got Hot by Maggie Horne

Sparking Fire Out of Fate (Forging Silver into Stars Book 3) Brigid Kemmerer

Her Name in the Sky by Kelly Quindlen

Les Normaux, Volume Two by Janine Janssen, S. Al Sabado

One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker by Timothy Janovsky

Case File Compendium: Bing an Ben Vol. 7 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Hold Your Horses (Prickle Island Zoo Book 5) by Ali K. Mulford

Masquerade (Micah Grey Trilogy Book 3) by L. R. Lam

Attention Seeker: A Neurodivergent Comedian's Guide to Thriving with ADHD by Darcy Michael

The Case of the Murdered Muckraker (Harriet Morrow Investigates Book 2) by Rob Osler

Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar by Anahita Karthik

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass

Missing Sam by Thrity Umrigar

Lost Girls of Hollow Lake by Rebekah Faubion

She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, Izidora Angel (Translator)

On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah Scholfield

The Demon of Beausoliel by Mari Costa

See You at the Summit by Jordyn Taylor

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Love Makes Mochi (Love in Translation 3) by Stefany Valentine

Funeral Song by Carly Racklin

Love (Literally) Bites (Chaotic Paranormals Book 1) Corina Bair

Roll Over and Die Vol. 7 by Kiki

Kitayama and Minamiya Vol. 1 by Satoh Sugar

Fowl Play (Fangs On Ice) by Rhea Fox

The Flame that Sings (The Eternal Library Book 3) by Cedar McCloud


28

Scoring Chance (The Comebacks Book 2) by A.J. Truman


29

The Reanimator's Fate (The Reanimator Mysteries Book 4) by Kara Jorgensen

Chosen Family by Madeleine Gray

Final Edit (Lights, Camera, Love Book 1) by E.M. Denning


30

Solemn Vows (The Bone Men Book 2) by C.J. Tuma & Quinn Cameron

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Secrets We Cradle in the Dark by Ivy Lovell

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Only one book is displayed. Row 1 has one book cover and three pale blue rectangles. Rows 2 and 3 only have four pale blue rectangles. The column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle.

We post an open call for new releases around the 20th of the month preceding on Instagram, Twitter/X, Blue Sky and Threads. Authors can add their books to these posts or our linked new release form to be included in future new release lists. Alternatively, you can email andy@rainbowcratebookbox.com with the title/series name, author, book cover, cover artist/designer and a link to more information/purchase options (Goodreads/Author website/Itch.io). Books must have be outlined, written and edited without the use of gen AI; must have a cover made by a human artist or designer and must have a human narrator if an audiobook exists.

ID: A post of eighteen slides. The background is made up of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow for each slide. Slide 1 has a white square which reads "193 queer books coming out in January". The 193 is in matching horizontal rainbow stripes and January is in blue text. Text between the number and month are all caps black font. 

Slides 2-17 features a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each.

Slide 18 features a similar set up but with 1 book displayed. Row 1 has one book cover and three pale blue rectangles. Rows 2 and 3 only have four pale blue rectangles. The column on the left that has the release date in white over a blue rectangle. End ID.

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