📖 Overview
Ivan Coyote is a Canadian writer, performer, and storyteller known for work exploring gender identity, sexuality, class, and social justice. Their narrative style combines personal memoir with broader social commentary, drawing from experiences growing up in Whitehorse, Yukon and living as a non-binary person.
Coyote has written thirteen books including "Tomboy Survival Guide," "Gender Failure," and "Care Of: Letters, Connections, and Cures." Their collections often feature short stories and personal essays that examine relationships, family dynamics, and the complexities of gender expression in contemporary society.
Since the 1990s, Coyote has maintained an active career as a live performer, delivering storytelling shows at festivals, schools, and conferences across North America. They frequently collaborate with musicians and other artists, creating multimedia performances that blend narrative with other art forms.
Coyote's work has earned multiple literary awards including the ReLit Award and the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award. Their stories and essays have appeared in various publications including The New York Times, The Walrus, and Xtra, while their YouTube videos and recorded performances have reached significant online audiences.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Coyote's conversational, intimate writing style that makes complex topics accessible. Many reviews note their skill at crafting relatable narratives about gender, family, and identity without becoming preachy or academic.
What readers liked:
- Clear, honest storytelling that feels like a friend sharing experiences
- Ability to address difficult subjects with humor and warmth
- Short story format that makes books easy to digest
- Strong audiobook narration by the author
- Impact on LGBTQ+ readers who feel seen in the stories
What readers disliked:
- Some stories feel repetitive across different collections
- Occasional meandering narratives that lose focus
- Price point of shorter books
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: Average 4.3/5 across all titles
"Tomboy Survival Guide": 4.4/5 (5,800+ ratings)
"Gender Failure": 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings)
"Care Of": 4.5/5 (700+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 average
One reader noted: "Coyote's stories hit home because they focus on universal experiences of belonging and family while exploring queer identity."
📚 Books by Ivan Coyote
Tomboy Survival Guide (2016)
A memoir exploring gender identity, family relationships, and growing up as a tomboy in Yukon Territory.
Gender Failure (2014) A collaborative work with Rae Spoon combining personal essays and performances about gender identity and societal expectations.
One in Every Crowd (2012) A collection of stories for queer and trans youth addressing bullying, identity, and self-discovery.
Missed Her (2010) Short stories examining gender, sexuality, and family through personal narratives and observations.
The Slow Fix (2008) A collection of autobiographical stories about relationships, community, and personal transformation.
Bow Grip (2006) A novel following a small-town mechanic's journey of self-discovery after his wife leaves him for another woman.
Close to Spider Man (2000) Short stories depicting life in Canada's north through interconnected tales of family and coming of age.
Boys Like Her (1998) A collaborative work with the Taste This Collective exploring gender performance and identity through various narrative forms.
Gender Failure (2014) A collaborative work with Rae Spoon combining personal essays and performances about gender identity and societal expectations.
One in Every Crowd (2012) A collection of stories for queer and trans youth addressing bullying, identity, and self-discovery.
Missed Her (2010) Short stories examining gender, sexuality, and family through personal narratives and observations.
The Slow Fix (2008) A collection of autobiographical stories about relationships, community, and personal transformation.
Bow Grip (2006) A novel following a small-town mechanic's journey of self-discovery after his wife leaves him for another woman.
Close to Spider Man (2000) Short stories depicting life in Canada's north through interconnected tales of family and coming of age.
Boys Like Her (1998) A collaborative work with the Taste This Collective exploring gender performance and identity through various narrative forms.
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S. Bear Bergman focuses on trans masculinity and Jewish identity through essays and storytelling performances. His writing addresses family relationships and navigating gender in everyday situations.
Thomas Page McBee explores masculinity and gender transition through memoir and journalism. His work examines male identity and violence through personal narratives and cultural analysis.
Carmen Maria Machado writes about queerness and relationships through memoir and short stories. Her work deals with trauma, body, and identity through experimental narrative forms.
Michelle Tea chronicles queer life and working-class experiences through memoir and fiction. Her writing captures community stories and underground culture with raw honesty.