Playing by the Book
When seventeen-year-old high school newspaper editor Jake Powell leaves his small Alabama town for Columbia University’s prestigious summer journalism program, it feels like a dream come true. But his father, a fundamentalist Christian preacher, senses trouble—and he’s rarely wrong.
In Playing by the Book, Jake navigates new and unfamiliar ways "up North,” starting with his feelings for a handsome Jewish classmate named Sam. What Jake could keep hidden back home now rises to the surface in the Big Apple.
Standing by his side are a sharp-tongued Park Avenue classmate with designer bags in tow, a loyal friend from back home who isn’t sure she’s ready to let Jake go, and an outrageously flamboyant aunt determined to help him embrace love—and avoid the heartbreak she knows all too well.
Playing by the Book is a feel-good, coming-of-age young adult novel about the joy and heartbreak we encounter in the search for our own truth.
Playing by the Book is available from these major retailers:
Reviews and Press
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BOOK REVIEW: PLAYING BY THE BOOK
"Playing by the Book is a beautiful and profound story that asks readers to question their own beliefs and ability to look at people beyond labels, beyond what they see."
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FOR SOME, COMING OUT IS STILL HARD TO DO.
"The picture-perfect moment when Jake realizes who he is despite all he’s done to pray the gay away is nothing short of priceless."
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THE ADVOCATE: 10 GREAT LGBT SUMMER READS
"Shirley offers up a optimistic but not overly romanticized look at youth, becoming oneself, and the discomfort and joy that comes from finding out who you want to be in the world, whether your parents like it or not."
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A YOUNG MAN'S STORY OF SCRIPTURE AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE
"In warm, empathetic prose, Shirley portrays the damage we inflict on ourselves, the allowances we make for those we love, and the dignity — and humor—that flourish when honesty encounters obstacle."
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KidLit TV INTERVIEWS AUTHOR S. CHRIS SHIRLEY
S. Chris Shirley joins Rocco Staino on KidLit TV to discuss his debut novel, Playing by the Book.
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NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC RADIO'S SUSAN LARSON INTERVIEWS S. CHRIS SHIRLEY
S. Chris Shirley tells us about his new young adult novel, Playing by the Book, as well as his work as president of the Lambda Literary Foundation.
Praise for the book
“In Playing by the Book, S. Chris Shirley tells a story I loved curling up with, featuring one of the most endearing teen protagonists I've read in years.”
—Alex Sanchez, Author of The God Box and Boyfriends with Girlfriends
"There's so much to admire in S. Chris Shirley's debut novel, but the most remarkable thing may be its voice. Jake Powell is both earnest and skeptical, curious and guarded, and he tells his story with an endearing humility that–somehow–avoids the sarcasm that has become the norm. Playing by the Book reminds us of how rewarding it can be to climb into someone else's head."
—Patrick Ryan, author of The Dream Life of Astronauts and Send Me
"S. Chris Shirley's Playing by the Book is beautifully written and vividly conveys a journey of self-discovery. This moving, funny, and sexy young adult novel also illuminates how combining Christian fundamentalism and a gay love story can produce another very Good Book."
—Bob Smith, author of Openly Bob, Selfish and Perverse, and Remembrance of Things I Forgot
S. Chris Shirley's Playing by the Book is winning, witty, touching, and full of life. Jake Powell's journey from wide-eyed innocence to self-actualization is a pleasure to witness. What's even more pleasurable is being in the hands of a writer who knows how to tell a story, who knows how to create complex characters, and who brings honesty and love to every page of his debut. Bravo!"
—Martin Wilson, author of We Now Return to Regular Life and What They Always Tell Us
In Playing by the Book, Chris Shirley does something miraculous: he tells the moving and often funny story of a fundamentalist Christian minister's son coming to terms with his sexuality with refreshing candor and loving respect for all perspectives. The result is a debut novel that celebrates varied points of view without preaching to the converted. No matter where you stand, expect to be reached by this Son-of-a-Preacher Man.
—Michael Zam, co-creator, writer and producer, Feud (TV); librettist, The Kid (musical)
"In this heartfelt and moving coming-of-age story, Chris Shirley has given us a Holden Caulfield for a new generation."
—Geoffrey Nauffts, Tony-nominated playwright of Next Fall
"In his debut novel, Shirley—president of the Lambda Literary Foundation—offers up a optimistic but not overly romanticized look at youth, becoming oneself, and the discomfort and joy that comes from finding out who you want to be in the world, whether your parents like it or not."
—The Advocate (10 Great LGBT Summer Reads)
“A thoroughly enjoyable read that should be on the shelves of every school library as well as the bed stands of anyone who wants to understand what it feels like to grow up gay."
—Kevin Jennings, Founder, The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Every novel has two stories: the one you read on the page—and the one that got it there.
Here’s the second story for Playing by the Book.
Inspiration: A hurtful sermon
The idea for Playing by the Book came to me in church, listening to a pastor I admired say something I couldn’t forget—harsh, dismissive words about homosexuality. It struck me that if this pastor had a gay son, maybe his perspective would change. I started imagining how that son might survive in such a household—and realized the son’s story was far more interesting than whether the preacher ever came around. That was the seed for Playing by the Book.
Original format: screenplay
Readers often describe Playing by the Book as cinematic—and for good reason. The story began as a screenplay. But as I shared the script around Los Angeles and New York, I kept hearing the same thing: “This would make a great novel.” So I rewrote it as one.
Working title: Jake's Dilemma
It took nearly two years to adapt the screenplay into a novel, originally titled Jake’s Dilemma. I workshopped the manuscript with beta readers and through Authonomy, a peer-to-peer review site for emerging writers.
Big break: Signing with George Nicholson of Sterling Lord Literistic
My big break came when the late George Nicholson of Sterling Lord Literistic took on the manuscript. George provided sharp, invaluable notes—including the need for a stronger title. Out of several options, one stood out to him: Playing by the Book.
George sold the novel to Magnus Books, led by the legendary Don Weise, who has worked with luminary writers such as Gore Vidal, Edmund White, Christopher Bram and Edward Albee. Working with Don was a masterclass in editing and storytelling.
Cover Design: Capturing the book in a single image
Yes, people do judge a book by its cover and Tal Goretsky (right) is one of the best cover designers in the business. Based on Tal's original design, photographer Richard Gerst (left) captured the primary image for the cover.
Publication DATE: June 11, 2014
Eight years after that homophobic sermon sparked the idea, Playing by the Book was finally published. The wait was worth it. I’ve been honored to share the book at such incredible venues as Books Inc (San Francisco), Book Culture (NYC), Book Soup (West Hollywood), Calamus Books (Boston), Forbes Library (Northampton, MA), Giovanni's Room (Philadelphia) and Just Fabulous (Palm Springs).
Playing by the Book also received a National IPPY Medal in Religious Fiction—the first LGBTQ+ "coming out" novel to be recognized in that category.
But most importantly, thank you to every reader who has reached out to share what the book has meant to you. That has been the most rewarding part of this entire journey.
Download the Discussion Guide
Is your book club or class reading Playing by the Book? Download this free Discussion Guide to get the conversation going, and feel free to invite me to join your meeting via WhatsApp or FaceTime.
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