Jonathan Van Ness Announces ‘Extraordinary’ YA Novel withDumplin’Author Julie Murphy (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jonathan Van Ness, Julie Murphy and the cover of ‘Let Them Stare’.Photo:HarperCollins Children’s Books; Courtesy of Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

HarperCollins Children’s Books; Courtesy of Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

Jonathan Van Nessand Julie Murphy are writing a book together.TheQueer Eyehost and the bestselling author have shared, exclusively with PEOPLE, that they will publish a young adult novel,Let Them Stare, through HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2025.Let Them Starefollows Sully, a gender-nonconforming teenager who wants to leave their small hometown of Hearst, Penn. When their plans to move to the city for a summer internship fall through, Sully is stuck in Hearst, much to their disdain.Sully begins spending time at the local thrift store, where they uncover a vintage bag that holds the spirit of Rufus, a 1950s drag performer who doesn’t remember how he died. Sully and Rufus must work together to help Rufus cross over and, along the way, find that Hearst holds a history of queer acceptance that they previously didn’t know.

HarperCollins Children’s Books

Van Ness tells PEOPLE in a statement that the novel’s story, as well as that of its main character, was something that he could relate to.“Just like Sully, I know what it’s like to feel trapped in a hometown that doesn’t feel like it has room for someone like me,” Van Ness says. “That’s why I’m so excited to partner with the amazing Julie Murphy to tell this story of finding the extraordinary in perfectly ordinary places and learning how to take up space even in places where you’re certain you don’t belong.”

“I’ve realized that places don’t change without people there to change them,” Van Ness adds. “Because queer people have existed everywhere since the beginning of ever, honey.”

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Jonathan Van Ness in 2023.Taylor Hill/WireImage

Taylor Hill/WireImage

Murphy, the author of the beloved 2015 young adult novelDumplin’, also notes thatLet Them Stareproved to be a valuable writing experience.

“Like Jonathan (and admittedly myself), Sully is the definition of main character energy,” Murphy says in a statement. “Both of us infused so much of our own selves and experiences into Sully’s life and were constantly coming back to the fact that queer people deserve to belong and feel safe everywhere. So much of this project originated with what we wanted to impart to our younger selves, but it turned out that our adult selves needed Sully just as much — if not more."

“What started as an ambitious idea about a haunted handbag (yes, really!) and queer history is really, at its core, about being human and how that is an experience we all have in common,” the author adds.In addition toLet Them Stare, Van Ness is the author of several books for young readers, including 2020’sPeanut Goes for the Goldand 2024’sGorgeously Me. Van Ness also published his bestselling memoir,Over The Top, in 2019.

Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy.Courtesy of Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

Courtesy of Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

Murphy, a former librarian, is the author of books for readers of all ages, including theDumplin’companion novelsPuddin’(2018) andPumpkin(2021). Murphy’s most recent release, 2024’s seasonal romanceA Jingle Bell Mingle, was co-written with Sierra Simone.

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“Let Them Stare charmed and moved all of us at Harper right from the very first page — and who could resist the dream team of Julie and Jonathan? All the hallmarks of Julie’s beloved novels combine with Jonathan’s signature humor and bite to create the perfect blend of charm and true beating heart,” Rens says.

“And with a cast of queer main characters who identify across the spectrum of gender and sexuality, this voicey, bighearted story reveals the poignant and sometimes harrowing realities of queer individuals in the mid-twentieth century, as well as the erasure of queer history over time — while also making space to showcase queer love, success and joy.”Let Them Starewill be published on May 20, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

source: people.com