iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 31/10/2025

Here’s the text of the email, part 1/?

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 21/10/2025

On a happier note, Ana on the Edge made me a published author 5 years ago today. No matter how many places it gets challenged or banned, it’s still finding the readers who need it, and I have so many teachers, educators, parents, etc to thank for that 🩵

Author A. J. Sass holding his debut middle grade novel Ana on the Edge. A bookshelf is to the right behind him and the walls are painted a dark green.

1242

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 02/09/2025

And here's my favorite spread: a b'nai mitzvah ceremony for a nonbinary kid 🌈 ✡️

0387

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 02/09/2025

My debut picture book, SHABBAT IS ..., releases today 😊 Available where all books are sold. And here: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/a-j-s...

62714

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 30/04/2025

Dear Axel, Welcome back (I’ve been a tad scared to attempt you for a minute but I’m thrilled you’re still hanging around after all this time we’ve spent apart).

040

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 23/04/2025

Hi friends! @barnesandnoble.com is having a preorder sale where premium & rewards members can get 25% off all preordered books via their website with the code PREORDER25 from now through Friday 😀 This time around, I have three titles that are eligible.

Image shows a graphic with three childrens books written or contributed to by A. J. Sass: Just Shy of Ordinary, Shabbat Is, and Athlete is Agender. The text readers Barns & Noble Preorder Sale, 25% off and the background is a Spring scene with green grass, flowers, butterflies, and puffy white clouds in a pale blue sky.

122

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 19/04/2025

Anyway, hi. I’m Andrew, a nonbinary trans human who writes books and figure skates, plus loves cats and the only dog I’ve ever thus far had. I’m frustrated by how so many marginalized folks are being treated currently and now I’m signing off for Shabbat, l’hitraot v’Shabbat shalom, chevrai ✌️

130

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 31/03/2025

Happy #TransDayofVisibility - I’m Andrew, an author who centers queer characters in my books, plus a lifelong figure skater, petter of cats, and new dog dad. Also very tired because our community is still under attack. Keep an eye out for one another, friends. We’re all we’ve got 🩵🤍🩷

Andrew, a Jewish, transmasculine, autistic person with glasses who’s wearing a gray pageboy hat and an oversized white hoodie smiles at the camera while a Doberman-lab mix dog licks the side of his face.

0214

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 17/03/2025

Trying to make a meal but you have pets

Photo is aimed at the floor where you can see a pair of human legs in gray sweatpants, plus a black kitten and black and brown dog looking straight up at the camera.

3190

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 16/02/2025

Well if my flight is gonna get canceled because of the snowstorm, at least I get to enjoy watching the dog have the time of her life at home

030

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 15/02/2025

Trans peeps, QRP with a pic of yourself you love. I love pics of myself with my pets and pics that are skating related - all things that bring me joy 😊

Andrew taking a selfie, face all done up with stage makeup - most prominently like green and magenta eye shadow.

Andrew sitting in bed cuddling his Doberman-lab mix dog, Noa, who’s laying on her back.

Andrew chilling in a chair with two cats on his lap - a black kitten with glowing eyes named Caffrey, and a 12 year old gray and white tuxedo cat named Alistair.

Andrew taking a selfie with a completely empty ice rink behind him.

080

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 14/02/2025

I also got a chance to recommend Jewish books and authors I love, take that fascism!

000

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 10/02/2025

Happy Super Bowl Sunday from Noa, our very own remote control holder 🏈 🐕

050

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 05/02/2025

Hey, hi, hello. My synchro team qualified for Nationals! 🙌 (We are skating to disco music this season 🪩 🕺)

3240

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 05/02/2025

It’s that time of year again! 📚 🎉 Readers who are B&N premium & awards members can save 25% on three of my titles currently available for preorder: Athlete Is Agender (5/13), Just Shy of Ordinary (paperback - 7/29), and Shabbat Is … (9/2). More details available in the B&N website.

A graphic advertising Barnes & Noble’s 25% off preorder campaign featuring three of A. J. Sass’ eligible titles: Just Shy of Ordinary, Shabbat Is, and Athlete is Agender.

056

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 27/01/2025

My synchro team is skating to disco music this year and it’s so much fun. Yes, that’s me being a cheeseball in the front 😅

A synchronized skating team in mostly black pants and bright swirly disco themed costumes making a formation on the ice.

020

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 27/01/2025

Synchro scenes (getting ready for Sectionals next week! ⛸️⛸️⛸️)

1120

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 23/01/2025

Noa (and Moosey) hope you all have a wonderful Thursday 🫎

A dog with Doberman coloring looks right at the camera head on while balancing a stuffed moose on her head.

0130

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 23/01/2025

Missing my furry friends (and husband) while I’m training across the country for the Sectional championships but also grateful I get to skate with my wonderful team for one more season.

060

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 17/01/2025

Noa says happy Friday! (And also ‘pls say the command that lets me devour this biscuit’) What’s everyone up to this weekend? I’m traveling to California to train with my synchro team before we compete at the Sectional Championships … should probably get myself packed at some point 😅

A dog with Doberman features and a bone shaped biscuit balancing on her nose stares right at the camera.

110

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 15/01/2025

Cover reveal! I’m thrilled to share the cover of my debut picture book, Shabbat Is …, which releases on 9/2/25 🥳 ✡️ It’s illustrated by Sydney Taylor Notable illustrator Noa Kelner, who has a delightfully colorful and warm art style 🎨 Preorder it here: bit.ly/PreorderShab...

A picture book cover depicting six Jewish characters of various ages and skin tones sitting at a table around food like challah loaves and also Shabbat candles. Text reads: Shabbat Is ... A Special Day Celebrated in Many Ways, by A. J. Sass, art by Noa Kelner.

4197

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 05/12/2024

I've been off socials & now can't get into my Tweeter/X acct without some sort of backup security whatsit (what did I miss 😅). No thanks, so I'm back on BlueSky - hi everyone! Will work on following back soon. In the interim, here's a pic of my new pupper Noa who is loving with her first winter ❄️

A tan and black dog (Doberman/Lab mix) runs toward the camera wearing a blue jacket with what appears to be a snowball in her mouth (and is actually a rubber ball covered in snow). Her ears are floppy and flying as she runs over a bed of freshly fallen snow. There is a fence and pine tree with two tire swings in the background.

4180

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 22/01/2024

Bay Area friends - join me at my first-ever in-person CA book launch event! When: Tues, January 30 at 7pm Where: Mrs Dalloway's Books in Berkeley With: @michaelleali.bsky.social The event is free but you must register: bit.ly/ShyLaunchEvent Preorder signed copies: bit.ly/PreOrderSign...

An advertisement promoting a book launch event. The top half of the image says "Mrs. Dalloway's presents ... A. J. Sass for the launch of Just Shy Of Ordinary. In conversation with Michael Leali. January 30 at 7:00 pm." The circular images are headshots of author A. J. Sass and Michael Leali. On the far left is the rainbow cover of the middle grade novel Just Shy of Ordinary by A. J. Sass. The bottom text reads: Tuesday, January 30: A. J. Sass in store launch for his new novel Just Shy of Ordinary."

075

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 21/11/2023

I had a lovely time connecting with librarians, educators, and other authors at #NCTE23 last weekend in Columbus, OH. It’s always so encouraging to see folks advocating for representation and the right to read in person.

090

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 24/10/2023

Finally, Goodreads also has a giveaway for Just Shy of Ordinary! Enter for a chance to win one of 20 ARCs here: goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

010

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 24/10/2023

Just Shy of Ordinary is available to request on NetGalley here: netgalley.com/catalog/book...

110

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 24/10/2023

Yay! Publishers Weekly also called Just Shy of Ordinary a "luminous read." 😊 The full PW starred review: www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-316-50... Preorder: bit.ly/PreorderSHY

A light pink background with a rainbow wave at the bottom, a copy of the middle grade book Just Shy of Ordinary by A. J. Sass on the upper right, and a pull quote from a Publishers Weekly stared review on the left that reads: Via sensitive depictions of Shai’s skin picking, as well as sincere prose that yields richly developed characters, relationships, and interactions, Sass (Ellen Outside the Lines) captures the tension and dread of grappling with a hidden illness during a tumultuous transition.The bottom left text says “A luminous read.”

4198

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 19/09/2023

Ellen Outside the Lines is out in paperback today! 🎉 This book is so special to me & I’m thrilled it’s now available in a new format—it also comes with a sneak peek of my next novel, Just Shy of Ordinary (out in January). Buy here: bit.ly/buyEllenOutsidetheLines 😊 @awfulagent.bsky.social #Kidlit

Image is advertising the paperback release of the middle grade title Ellen Outside the Lines by A. J. Sass. It includes a copy of the book with the Sydney Taylor Honor Award sticker on the cover and the following text: Now in paperback. Awards and accolades: Sydney Taylor Honor Book, Golden Kite Award Finalist, ALA Rainbow List Top 10 Title, Booklist Editors' Choice, SLJ Best Book of the Year. The Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is placed below the text and the background depicts an illustrated scene from Barcelona, with the famous El Drac mosaic dragon by Antonin Gaudí looking out over apartment buildings that are pink, orange, and yellow and a bit of green foliage. The sky is blue with fluffy off-white clouds.

63412

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 06/09/2023

Hey all! Barnes & Noble is having a pre-order sale where members can get 25% off any books they pre-order. Three of my titles are eligible 🌈 Details below! CC: @awfulagent.bsky.social

Image is advertising a pre-order sale at Barnes & Noble. A pastel of rainbow colors fills the left side. Text on the right reads: Barnes & Noble Pre-Order Sale: 25% off; September 6-8, 2023; Enter code PREORDER25 at checkout. Eligible books: Ellen Outside the Lines paperback; Just Shy of Ordinary hardcover; On All Other Nights hardcover. Above the text is an image of all three books written or contributed to by author A. J. Sass

053

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 28/08/2023

📚COVER REVEAL!📚 I'm honored to contribute a story to ON ALL OTHER NIGHTS, ed. by @baronchrisbaron.bsky.social, @joshuaslevy.bsky.social, & Naomi Milliner, out on March 26 (Abrams). Thanks, Shannon Hochman, for the gorgeous illustration! Preorder here: bit.ly/PreorderNights @awfulagent.bsky.social

Text reads Cover Reveal! Image is the cover for a middle grade anthology titled On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories, edited by Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy, and Naomi Milliner. The cover features 14 different and diverse Jewish characters surrounding a table during the Passover Seder. The background of the image is sea foam green and includes icons of kosher wine that have a vintage feel which matches the cover art illustration style.

2245

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 24/08/2023

I got a lovely surprise in the mail last night 😊 My paperback copies of Ellen Outside the Lines have arrived—they come with a sneak peek of my next book, Just Shy of Ordinary 🌈 🥳 Ellen’s paperback is out 9/16 and Just Shy is out 1/30/24. You can preorder both here: bit.ly/AJSassHBG #kidlit

Author A. J. Sass, a white trans masculine individual with short blond hair and a black tattoo on one arm, proudly holds up a copy of the paperback middle grade novel, Ellen Outside the Lines, while standing in front of a color coded bookcase.

The front cover of the middle grade novel Ellen Outside the Lines by A. J. Sass. The tagline reads: Life doesn’t always stick to the plan. The cover depicts a nonbinary character with short and curly brown-red hair and blue eyes looking out over various Barcelona sites like La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell’s tiled mosaic wall. A silver award sticker for the Sydney Taylor Book Honor is located on the lower left of the cover.

An interior page from the middle grade novel Ellen Outside The Lines by A. J. Sass. It says Praise for Ellen Outside The Lines:

A Sydney Taylor Honor Book
An ALA Rainbow Book List Top Ten Title for Young Readers
A Golden Kite Award Finalist
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice

It also includes pull quotes from SLJ, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly reviews.

0216

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 06/07/2023

Hi friends! This is probably obvious if you've seen my bio but I wanted to officially share that I've signed with Jordan Hamessley at her new agency, JABberwocky 🥳 I originally signed with her in 2018 and thus far we've sold 8 projects together. Excited to see what comes next!

Image has a pale green background. On the lefthand side is a vector image of a black and gray typewriter with white keys and accents. A long sheet of white paper with gray lines to indicate text is coming out of it. Gray text to the righthand side reads "A. J. Sass: Represented by Jordan Hamessley, now at JABberwocky Literary Agency" with some icon flourishes between each text section.

3160

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 02/07/2023

Like, this fine fellow is putting up an extra Pride flag in his restaurant on july 2. That’s the kind of energy I want to see from everyone tbh

A tall, olive skinned individual lifts up a gay Pride flag above a “Pick Up Here” sign in a Mediterranean restaurant.

A tall, olive skinned individual drills a gay Pride flag into the ceiling of a Mediterranean restaurant.

040

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 02/07/2023

Also if any of you #authors or avid readers are ever in San Francisco, I recommend swinging by Fabulosa Books in the Castro. They’ve got a great selection of queer books—including mine, which has now been signed 😁 📚

A masculine presenting white person with blond hair, black framed glasses and a black face mask holds out both hands toward a book titled Ellen Outside the Lines by A. J. Sass. Bookshelves and book display tables can be seen in the background.

A white person’s hands direct viewers toward a book titled Ellen Outside the Lines by A. J. Sass inside a bookstore. The book has a little white slip between its pages sticking out that says “Signed! ! !”

161

A. J. Sass @sassinsf.com · 02/07/2023

I’m pretty fed up with all the anti-queer and trans laws sprouting up in the US so I’ve decided to surround myself with rainbows all year round. Every month is Pride Month now, as far as I’m concerned ✌️

A masculine presenting white person with blond hair and a navy shirt smiles in front of a rainbow crosswalk in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco.

A progress flag painted on a business door in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco.

Sidewalk art that has the gay Pride flag colors and says “Pride” in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco. There are other rainbow flags on a street lamp and folks sitting outdoors eating.

Five gay Pride flags waving from the top of a building with a rounded roof above a light sign that says “Hope will never be silent” in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco.

4513