Daniel Sickels was a featured author in Topside Press's influential 2012 short story collection, 'The Collection: Short Fiction from the Transgender Vanguard.'
Topside Press was an independent publisher active in Brooklyn, New York, from 2011 to 2017, dedicated to trans and feminist literature. The press aimed to promote "authentic transgender narratives" by publishing works by, for, and about transgender individuals, filling a perceived gap left by larger publishing houses. It is recognized for its significant contribution to what is often termed the "trans literary renaissance."
Founded by individuals who previously managed the trans writing blog PrettyQueer.com, Topside Press published a variety of genres including fiction, memoirs, poetry, and non-fiction. Their inaugural publication in October 2012 was 'The Collection: Short Fiction from the Transgender Vanguard,' edited by Tom Léger and Riley Macleod. This anthology featured contributions from prominent trans authors such as Imogen Binnie, Carter Sickels, Ryka Aoki, and Casey Plett, and went on to win a Lambda Literary Award, becoming a teaching text in college courses on trans literature.
Topside Press played a crucial role in the development of trans literature, publishing influential works that garnered critical acclaim and awards. Books like Imogen Binnie's 'Nevada' and Casey Plett's 'A Safe Girl to Love' received Lambda Literary Awards, with 'Nevada' later being re-released by a major publisher. The press also expanded its reach with imprints for poetry and non-fiction, and hosted writing workshops. Despite disbanding in 2017 due to internal conflicts, Topside Press is credited with fostering a "golden age" and a "trans literary renaissance," though it also faced criticism regarding its editorial focus and representation of authors.
