Acting the Part Book

RELEASE DATE - 19 JANUARY 2023

Reading level - 13 to 17 years.

This delightfully tropey teen romance perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Lyla Lee follows a queer teen actor navigating their gender identity—while pretending to date their co-star.  

Queer actor Lily Ashton has found fame playing lesbian warrior Morgantha on the hit TV show Galaxy Spark. Lily knows how little representation queer girls have, so when the showrunners reveal that Morgantha’s on-screen love interest, Alietta, is going to be killed off, Lily orchestrates an elaborate fake-dating scheme with the standoffish actress who plays her, to generate press and ensure a happy ending for the #Morganetta ship.

But while playing a doting girlfriend on- and off-screen, Lily struggles with whether a word like “girl” applies to them at all.

Lily’s always been good at playing a part. But are they ready to share their real self, even if it means throwing everything they’ve fought for away?

"What a fun ride! What starts out as a story about fandom and adventure turns into a thoughtful exploration of queerness, privilege and identity – all set against the backdrop of Hollywood glamour and teenage fame. It gave words to feelings I've had about my own gender for years, and I know it will be the story so many other readers will see themselves in, too."
Jen Wilde, author of Queens of Geek and Going Off-Script

"Acting the Part takes the fun of fake dating and fandom to tell a thoughtful, nuanced story about stories. Ellor asks—and answers—charged questions about who holds the power when writing queer characters and what it takes to flip the script."
Jasper Sanchez, author of The (Un)popular Vote

Praise for May the Best Man Win: "Ellor delivers an intense story about self-discovery, pain, and forgiveness. [A] nuanced conversation about the challenges that coming out as trans brings for the transgender person and the relationships they must navigate. Fans of Leah Johnson’s You Should See Me in a Crown (2020) won’t want to miss this thoughtful lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers high-school dramedy with a romantic core." 
Booklist (starred review)

"Roaring, raging, and riotous, May the Best Man Win is a queer lovers-to-exes-to-enemies-to-lovers romance that will have you rooting for both Jeremy and Lucas to win homecoming king―and each other’s hearts."
The Nerd Daily