Estro Junkies
A downloadable book
"This book is, if I may be forgiven, off its tits ... wolfed it down in the course of a single train ride." — KJ Charles, author of The Magpie Lord
"Well-written and very funny, of course ... a wonderful read, and one that's not like any other book." — Jemma Topaz, author of A Rotten Girl
“As far as solutions to medical gatekeeping go, I’m mad I didn’t think of this one.” — Alyson Greaves, author of Welcome to Dorley Hall
Nicky’s never getting on oestrogen. She’s too late. The waiting lists are years long, and private clinics are shutting down. She’s rotting in the apartment she shares with her childhood friend Daniel, the insufferable twink Jeff, and Kyle with his helicopter mother and arranged marriage—and there’s no way out.
Until Daniel knocks on her door with news of an underground online contest. It awards hormones and surgeries to anyone willing to grow the biggest breasts—so long as they claim they’re cis men, and no fellow competitor can prove otherwise. The prize for these men? A million dollars. For Nicky? Her salvation.
Except not all’s as it seems. Daniel is actually Katherine, a trans woman terrified to come out—what if she loses her oldest and only friend? Jeff, hopelessly enamoured with Kyle, turned to the contest to make himself more attractive. And for Kyle, only a million-dollar victory could unshackle him from the life of an eldest desi son.
As their lies and desires set the roommates on a collision course, the question remains: what kind of man would compete to take oestrogen? Answer carefully. Online, someone is always watching. Sisters of Dorley meets Stag Dance in this absurdist, satirical drama exploring transfeminine love, community, and identity in times of panic, scarcity, and crackdown.
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Want to say - love your style, and have greatly enjoyed reading the scribble-hub and this preview. And I'm so glad to see it getting a publish!
Now - I'm not a real writer - so take this with a grain of salt, but I wanted to offer QA, if you think it will help. If not, disregard.
I think the hook in rcbg is much stronger than Estro Junkies.
I feel:
The instant, absurd, curt, light tone of rcbg heightens the metaphor beneath it. Estro Junkies darker, stomach-pitting opening affords it a weight, but one which I think works against its debut. The tradeoff of absurdity-vs-earnestness would be different later in the text - but with these precious opening pages, you really have to win the audience on the spirit of the story in tone alone. Rcbg has this totally unique, ludicrous grip - one that a more grounded opening can't match.
The engine beneath both stories is levity highlighting tragedy highlighting levity - and while both succeed, I think 'Estro Junkies' has to work harder to sell that idea, whereas 'Ranked Competitive Breast Growth' delivers a stronger punch - both in opening hook and title.
I'm a believer that 'the audience will know what is wrong, but wont know how to fix it' - so I wont venture there. And again, I'm just one person - so forgive me if this comment is unhelpful.
Anyways - mostly I want to say what a unique and potent writer you are, and how much I've enjoyed you work, and to thank you for sharing it. How you go about editing and publishing is, of course, your prerogative - don't let me or anyone sway you if your vision feels clear. Best of luck in this and all endeavors!
Can you imagine if real life was this way? Sure glad that's not the case and trans women are all normal to themselves and each other.