We Make It Better

An Indispensable Toolset for Same-Sex Parenthood

"An absolute ‘must-have’ for any LGBT couple engaged in family planning!” —Midwest Book Review

First published in 2016 and winner of four literary awards.* Now updated and packed with valuable information and more powerful stories of same-sex parents achieving and navigating parenthood.

Yes, you do have options. Same-sex couples (gay dads, lesbian moms, or other queer couples) are faced with many different options when choosing to have a family that includes beautiful children. In Journey to Parenthood, author, activist and father Eric Rosswood guides and helps prospective LGBTQIA parents explore adoption, foster care, assisted reproduction, surrogacy and co-parenting.

Create your own happy family unit. Each section includes a description of a specific family-building approach, followed by personal stories from same-sex couples and individuals who have chosen that particular path. Learn strategies for dealing with challenges you will encounter on this parenting journey.

Inside find:

• Strategies for successfully navigating same sex parenthood
• Firsthand accounts combined with critical tips and advice 
• Updated information about adoption, foster care, assisted reproduction, surrogacy and co-parenting

If you benefited from Eric Rosswood’s bestselling book We Make It Better or his Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads; or have read parenting books like Raised by Unicorns, Raising Good Humans, What to Expect When You're Expecting, or The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, you’ll want to read Journey to Parenthood.

* Winner of the 2017 IAN Book of the Year Awards in the Parenting/Family/Relationships category; the 2017 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards in the Parenting category; the 2017 Best Book Awards in the LGBTQ, Non-Fiction category; and finalist in the 2017 International Book Awards.

If You are Thinking of Becoming a Gay Dad, or if You are Already a Gay Dad ─ This Book is for You!

Are you ready to have kids? More and more gay men are turning to adoption and surrogacy to start their own families. An estimated two million American LBGTQ people would like to adopt and an estimated 65,000 adopted children are living with a gay parent. In 2016, The Chicago Tribune reported that 10 to 20 percent of donor eggs went to gay men expanding their families via surrogacy, and in many places the numbers were up 50 percent from the previous five years.

Gay parenting. Having a kid is like coming out all over again, on a daily basis, especially if you have an infant. Was coming out stressful for you? It’s about to get more intense and you will have a child watching your every move and listening to your every word. If you stutter or pause, they may pick up on your discomfort and could start to feel like something is wrong about their family unit. The Ultimate Guide For Gay Dads is jam packed with parenting tips and advice to help you build confidence and become the awesome gay dad you were meant to be!

How Is This Parenting Guide Different From Others? Unlike other parenting books that have whole chapters focusing on things specifically related to mothers (such as how to get the perfect latch when breastfeeding), this parenting book replaces those sections with things relevant to gay dads. It covers topics like how to find LGBT friendly pediatricians, how to find LGBT friendly schools, how to childproof your home with style, how to answer awkward and prying questions about your family from strangers, examples for what two-dad families can do on Mother’s Day, and much more. The book also includes parenting tips and advice from pediatricians, school educators, lawyers, and other same-sex parents.

Top LGBT parenting expert. Bestselling author Eric Rosswood covers every aspect of fatherhood for gay men in this essential guide to growing your family in the post-DOMA era. He is a major influencer on social media with over 100,000 followers on Twitter alone, as well as thousands on other platforms.

Exploring LGBTQ issues. Rosswood is an in-demand authority and commentator on LGBTQ issues, including civil rights, parenting, marriage and politics. The author has been featured in major media including The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, CBS News, The Huffington Post, Elite Daily, Yahoo! News, AOL News, NY Daily News, IB Times, and regional LGBTQ press.

Stories of success, happiness and hope from the LGBT community

Stories that comprise the best of LGBT history: Pride and Joy: LGBTQ Artists, Icons and Everyday Heroestells the stories of queer citizens of the world living OUT and proud happy, fulfilling, successful lives. Diverse and global. Famous and unsung. There is a story here for everyone in the LGBT community who has ever questioned their sexual orientation or gender identity, or discovered it.

Discover LGBT community stories that will stir you and reveal:

• why Tony Kushner quit cello and how Colm Toibin found his voice.
• why Emma Donoghue calls her experience a fluke and the best advice Bill T. Jones got was from his mother.
• how being an inaugural poet changed Richard Blanco’s life and how Ugandan activist “LongJones” escaped death threats and gained asylum.

Award-winning writer and longtime LGBTQ activist Kathleen Archambeau tells the untold stories from diverse LGBT community voices around the corner or around the world. Not like the depressing, sinister, shadowy stories of the past, this book highlights queer people living open, happy, fulfilling and successful lives.

Be inspired by LGBT community stories that celebrate the human spirit:

• Be emboldened by the bravery of a Uruguayan author who was rejected by her immediate family even as she began a family of her own.
• Be inspired by the audacity to fight for justice that motivates National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell, a Mormon who grew up in Utah.
• Learn how two couples transcend time and distance to finally be together and how one NBA sports executive summoned the courage to come out.
• Discover the message of love from the first openly lesbian United Methodist Church Bishop.
• Learn the secrets of successful OUT IBM executive based in London and the rewards of Ballroom Basix founder in Harlem.
• See how the Maori philosophy of whānau guided the MP who won marriage rights in New Zealand and how high expectations overcame disability and bullying for an acclaimed mezzo-soprano.
• Know how the Armenian Genocide and family tensions impacted a professional violinist and composer.

Pride & Joy is a window into the LGBTQ community for straight friends, allies, parents and families of this finally emerging marginalized group. There’s hope that, in the words of Dan Savage, “It Gets Better” for:

• the transgender choreographer and dancer who continues to break rules and enlighten audiences to the Dutch singer, songwriter and independent theater producer who breaks down stereotypes.
• the Russian émigré award-winning computer scientist to the Chinese folk dancer.
• the founder of an award-winning smoking cessation program to the California Political Director of the Obama re-election campaign.
• and, for Entrepreneurs and gay dads, ballroom dancers and Hungarian activists on neo-Nazi “hit lists.”

Self-Acceptance and Identity Affirmations for LGBT+ Teens (Ages 12-18)

#1 New Release in LGBTQ+ Issues, Maturing, and Civil and Human Rights

A positive affirmations book with invaluable information for all queer teens

Inspirational and motivational quotes and information. Queer Cheer provides advice and words of wisdom encouraging teens to find—and keep—their inner rainbow. Covering topics relevant to lgbt+ teens today, this instructional book includes everything ranging from bullies and discrimination to acceptance and advocating change.

Illustrated words of encouragement from a friend. Authors Eric Rosswood and Jodie Anders know what it’s like to be a teen struggling with identity and societal norms. That’s why they’re fighting to counter the negativity facing queer teens now and in the future. Queer Cheer includes many teen voices offering tips, advice, related firsthand experiences, and other valuable knowledge.

Inside Queer Cheer, find:

• Affirmations and words of wisdom focusing on areas specific to LGBT+ teens
• Thought-provoking questions that lead to self-acceptance and encourage positive change
• Illustrations and doodles that inspire, empower, and strengthen the hearts and minds of queer teens

Readers of LGBTQIA+ books for young adults such as This Book Is Gay, All Boys Aren’t Blue, or The ABC’s of LGBT+ will love Queer Cheer. Also don’t miss this multi-award-winning author’s other books including Journey to Parenthood, We Make It Better, and The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads.

A True Story of Triumph Over Adversity and the Loss of a Child

In this gripping memoir, learn the true story of how mountaineering and extreme sports enthusiast Dianette Wells endures the devastating loss of her son and learns to balance motherhood with a life of extreme adventure.

Climbing over adversity. In her groundbreaking memoir, Another Step Up the Mountain, Dianette tells of her unique experiences climbing the Seven Summits, participating in adventure races (including four Eco-Challenges and ultra marathons around the world), as she raised three wonderful children. Trying to survive a tumultuous marriage, Dianette felt empty and unhappy. However, everything changed when she discovered adventure racing. Full of beautiful and uplifting moments, Dianette’s story will inspire you to discover the meaning of joy in your own healing journey.

Grief recovery and restoration with every step of the way. In 2015, Dianette lost her son Johnny to a wingsuiting accident, driving her to withdraw into severe depression. However, with the support of those around her, Dianette’s desire to compete in endurance sports and her love of mountain climbing helped her find an inner strength to begin healing. As she had in the past, she faced adversity and found her inner power by embracing her devotion to sports and family. Full of beautiful and uplifting moments, Dianette’s story will inspire you to rediscover what joy means to you and how we must cherish our intrinsic abilities.

Inside discover how Dianette:

• Discovers inner strength amidst adversity
• Balances motherhood while participating in extreme sports
• Finds resilience through mountaineering and ultra marathons
• Lives with tragic loss with unwavering determination

If you liked books such as No Summit Out of Sight; Climbing High; Into Thin Air; or Mother, Nature, you’ll love Another Step Up the Mountain.

You are Enough with these Inspiring Affirmations

It's a Good World Because You're in It is a collection from The Latest Kate of cute animal drawings with affirming messages to inspire. Each page motivates you to take care of yourself and fosters greater self-acceptance. 

Fight depression back. Kate Allan shares her personal stories on how she was able to fight and win on her darkest days. It's a Good World Because You're in It is a book full of timely messages, cute animal drawings, and art for anxiety relief. 

Inspirational words from The Latest Kate. Take power away from depression with this self-affirmation book for women. Take this positive affirmations book with you everywhere and go to it whenever you start to feel anxious.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Timely messages and reminders that will motivate
• Cute animal drawings that boost mindfulness and starve depression
• Gifts for friends who need depression and anxiety relief

It's a Good World Because You're in It is a great gift for anyone who enjoyed You Can Do All Things, Sweatpants & Coffee, or the Thera-pets Card Deck.