Trans Authors Find Hope and Healing in New Collection ‘Letter To My Little Trans Self’

In a year marked by both celebration and challenge for transgender and non-binary communities, the release of ‘Letter To My Little Trans Self’ stands out as a powerful act of visibility and solidarity. The anthology, published by Hotpencil Press, gathers thirty voices from across the UK and beyond, inviting contributors to pen deeply personal letters to their younger selves. The result is a tapestry of wit, vulnerability, and hope, designed to offer solace and guidance to readers of all ages navigating their own journeys of gender identity .

Contributors to the collection include some of the UK’s most prominent trans voices, such as Juno Roche, Travis Alabanza, Charlie Craggs, Sabah Choudrey, and Eva Echo . Each letter offers a unique perspective, shaped by the author’s lived experience and their journey toward self-understanding and acceptance.

Sabah Choudrey, co-founder of Trans Pride Brighton and a long-time advocate for trans youth, described the process as unexpectedly joyful and grounding. “I wrote my piece because I wanted to do something for my younger self. I have been working with trans young people for over 10 years and I don’t often get a chance to spend time with this trans person right here,” Choudrey told PinkNews. “Actually sitting down with myself and a piece of paper gave me a real moment of fun, love and happiness that I hadn’t really experienced anywhere else” .

For Eva Echo, a public speaker and activist, the act of writing was cathartic—a means of reclaiming her story in a time of increasing anti-trans sentiment. “Growing up, I never really had a supportive or loving family to guide me, which led to so much uncertainty and lack of confidence in who I was,” she shared. “I wanted to tell my younger self that it’s not so much what we do, but that we just do it. Let go and feel life, not just following unwritten rules that are imposed on us or getting bogged down with finding answers to questions, which only lead to more questions” .

The timing of the book’s launch is both poignant and urgent. Across the UK and in the US, anti-trans rhetoric has become more pronounced, with legislation and public sentiment posing increasing challenges to trans individuals’ rights and visibility. A recent YouGov poll indicated a rise in anti-trans attitudes in the UK, while US-based organizations like The Normal Anomaly Initiative have reported a significant uptick in hostile legislation targeting trans communities .

Against this backdrop, ‘Letter To My Little Trans Self’ seeks to provide an alternative narrative—one that is rooted in understanding, growth, and the power of authentic storytelling. As stated in the publisher’s release, the collection “amplifies the authentic voices that are currently under threat of being silenced” and stands as an act of resistance against erasure .

Hotpencil Press, the independent publisher behind the anthology, has a history of elevating marginalized voices. Founded by Serge Nicholson and Libro Levi Bridgeman as a grassroots initiative to spotlight queer writers often ignored by mainstream publishing, the press previously released acclaimed works such as ‘The Butch Monologues’ and ‘Letter To My Little Queer Self’ .

The book’s official launch took place at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London on July 30, 2025, coinciding with Trans Pride season. The event featured live and recorded readings from contributors, including Juno Roche and Alexandra R De Ruiz, and offered opportunities for attendees to engage with the writers and purchase copies of the book .

Accessibility was a priority, with step-free access, affordable ticketing options, and free entry for those facing financial barriers, ensuring that the event was welcoming and inclusive to all members of the community .

The collection’s compact, “pocket-sized” format was intentionally designed to be carried easily, making its messages of hope and courage accessible whenever they are needed most .

The impact of ‘Letter To My Little Trans Self’ extends well beyond its pages. For many readers, the letters serve as vital affirmations, reminding them that their experiences are shared and that joy, resilience, and self-acceptance are possible. By reflecting on the past and addressing their younger selves, the contributors offer guidance not just to those at the beginning of their journey, but to all who seek to understand and support the trans and non-binary community .

As Choudrey notes, “It was nice to be able to connect with my younger trans self and find so many different moments of fun, goofiness, joy and hope.” These sentiments echo throughout the collection, offering rare glimpses of tenderness and optimism at a time when such stories are urgently needed .

As efforts to censor and marginalize trans narratives continue worldwide, projects like ‘Letter To My Little Trans Self’ underscore the critical role of storytelling in both personal healing and community advocacy. By centering the lived experiences of trans and non-binary people, the anthology not only preserves vital histories but also forges pathways toward greater understanding, empathy, and change.

For those navigating their own questions of identity, or for allies seeking to deepen their support and knowledge, the collection offers both comfort and inspiration—a testament to the enduring power of authentic voices in shaping a more inclusive future .