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Chandler Myer

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Jayne and the Average North Dakotan is available in paperback and e-book everywhere!

Literary Titan gives Jayne 5 STARS
and their GOLD AWARD!

“I’ve always thought Chandler’s short stories in Prism & Pen were fabulous. I love his sly wit and strong storytelling voice.”
–James Finn, editor, Prism & Pen

 “With hilarity and gravity both, Myer tells a fast paced story about coming out, coming to terms, and learning to be free.”
–Christopher Barzak, author of One for Sorrow

Named in Lambda Literary’s Most Anticipated Books of January 2023.

the book

Jayne and the Average North Dakotan

You can take the boy out of North Dakota, but only a drag queen can finish the makeover.

When Randy Larson, a 32-year-old gay accountant who’s never been outside North Dakota, moves to Washington, DC, he struggles to find his way. A six-foot, nine-inch, sensational Jayne Mansfield drag queen takes him under her colorful wing for lessons in shopping, first dates, hosting brunch, furnishing an apartment, and living in the gay community. Is Randy ready for life and love in the Nation’s Capital?

Chandler Myer’s debut novel, Jayne and the Average North Dakotan, is an unconventional coming-of-age and coming-out story filled with humor and humanity. Randy and Jayne, an odd couple with a unique relationship, will have you cheering the underdog and wishing for your own drag fairy godmother.

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One of Lambda Literary's Most Anticipated Books of January 2023

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About Chandler

Chandler Myer published his first novel, Jayne and the Average North Dakotan, winner of the Literary Titan GOLD Award, at age 57, following a 35-year career as a professional musician. The book is based on his short story, “That Night I Ran the High Heel Race,” published in the Medium publication Prism & Pen. He has been published in Bear Creek Gazette and Medium publications Rainbow, An Idea, and Atheism101.

Myer was born in Bryan, Ohio, and now lives in Philadelphia with his amazing husband of more than a quarter century. He loves to walk, travel, and make friends with every dog he sees.

Praise for Jayne and the Average North Dakotan

Read the full Independent Book Review review here.

"A charming and often touching novel of self-discovery."

"...a fun and generally entertaining read about ovecoming insecurities and learning to be oneself. It's also an affecting ode to unexpected friendships and finding communities that one never realized one needed."
Kirkus Reviews
★★★★★ 5/5
"An engaging and deeply entertaining story with a romance that will make fans of gay fiction swoon."
BookVIEW Review
★★★★★ 5/5
"Equal parts sweet and sarcastic. A hilarious story of the growing pains that come with discovering your true self."
Independent Book Review
"In Chandler Myer's debut novel, the world opens up and becomes a complicated place of discovery. With hilarity and gravity both, Myer tells a fast paced story about coming out, coming to terms, and learning to be free."
Christopher Barzak
Author of One for Sorrow
★★★★★ 5/5
"Jayne and the Average North Dakotan is a rousing coming-of-age novel with humor and heartwarming friendships. Filled with acerbically witty dialogue and insightful commentaries on gay culture, this captivating story is a must-read for anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted romp with LGBTQ+ themes."
LITERARY TITAN
★★★★★ 5/5
"This book is highly recommended for readers who love camp, sarcasm, a good roasting--and, of course, drag."
Independent Book Review
"Myer excels in a wry first-person sense of inspection that captures not just Randy's influences and conservative roots, but the changing culture which uproots him."
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer
MIDWEST Book Review

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