Steven’s contemporary YA novel, Somewhere in Nowhere (NineStar Press, April 2026), took Second Place in The BookFest’s Fall 2026 awards, in both Fiction - LGBTQ+ - Young Adult and Fiction - YA - Boys & Men.
Steven Gellman | Author
Steven Gellman is an award-winning songwriter turned author. Inspired by his early love for Judy Blume’s groundbreaking stories, Steven has found his passion for writing coming-of-age fiction that centers LGBTQ+ voices and the real-life challenges of navigating adolescence in an ever-changing world.
Steven has long championed authentic queer storytelling — first through song, now through fiction. Billboard Magazine once praised him as one of the ‘out-queer tunesmiths [...] making waves along the coffeehouse circuit.’ His debut album Photobook was nominated for Debut Album of the Year by the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA). His latest release, All You Need, was a finalist for four Wammie Awards and earned a silver from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for “Twenty-Nine.”
When he’s not writing, Steven can be found sipping a cup of Dark Rose tea and plotting new adventures for his book club, Tea & Peril. Now in its tenth year, the club has hosted a growing number of New York Times bestselling authors including Travis Baldree, Sarah Beth Durst, Emily X.R. Pan, Eleanor Brown, and William Kent Krueger.
Somewhere in Nowhere (NineStar Press, April 2026) took Second Place in The BookFest’s Fall 2026 awards, in two fiction categories: LGBTQ+ Young Adult and YA Boys & Men. Steven was also named an ApollyCon Wordsmith Scholar and will appear at the event in 2027. He lives in Maryland’s Piedmont region with his husband and a houseful of rescued companion animals.
Book Talk
Oct 13, 2026
[Review] Jewish Book Council
Michal Hoschander Malen, editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews, calls Somewhere in Nowhere “a rewarding reading experience.” Read the full review here.
Sep 15, 2026
[Review] Belinda's Book Nook
Somewhere in Nowhere by Steven Gellman is a thoughtful, heartfelt coming of age story that tackles some heavy topics with an incredible amount of care.
Simon is struggling with panic attacks and desperately needs to understand where they're coming from…
Read more
Aug 14, 2026
[Summer Reads] Washington City Paper Summer TBR Pile
The Washington City Paper featured Somewhere in Nowhere in their Summer TBR Pile feature.
Aug 13, 2026
[VLOG] Clinically Speaking Season 2, Episode 1
Instagram's Read with Harlee featured Steven's Somewhere in Nowhere in the first episode of the new season of Clinically Speaking — a series where Harlee analyzes queer books through a social work and therapy lens. Check it out!
Aug 5, 2026
[Special Edition] Custom Sprayed Edges
Somewhere in Nowhere is now available in a special edition format with custom sprayed edges. Available while supplies last. Order here.
Aug 5, 2026
[Scholarship] Steven has been named a 2027 Apollycon Wordsmith Scholar
Steven was one of only three recipients selected for the highly coveted ApollyCon Wordsmith Scholarship, an honor founded by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout. The scholarship was created to empower and uplift historically marginalized members…
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Aug 5, 2026
[Review] Audio Book Reviewer.com
The Alien Within, The Heart Beyond
Simon Bugg's senior year is turned upside down when his family moves, forcing him to leave behind his friends and start over at a new school. As he adjusts to an overworked mom, the…
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Jun 30, 2026
[Bookstr] 10 Life-Changing YA Books That Every Teen Needs To Read
Somewhere in Nowhere was included in Bookstr's ten inspiring YA books that tackle real-life challenges while encouraging resilience, personal growth, and self discovery. Read more.
Jun 26, 2026
[Summer Reads] 15 Queer Books to Escape Into This Summer
“Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this story offers a nuanced look at mental health while exploring what it means to come into your own.” Read more.
Jun 22, 2026
[Article] Frederick News-Post
Gellman has long championed authentic queer storytelling — first through his music and now through his debut novel. Read more.
Jun 18, 2026
[Review] The Reporter
“The novels in this review focus on three different time periods: World War II, the early 1950s and contemporary times. However, they all have something in common: these young adults are looking for ways to live a meaningful life.” -…
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Jun 10, 2026
[Review] Richard Reads
Written by: Steven Gellman
Genre: YA LGBTQ+
Format: 🎧
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Synopsis
Coming out is hard, especially when you have two gay moms. At least it is for Simon Bugg. It’s Simon’s senior year and his world…
Jun 1, 2026
[Podcast] Gay Ass Book Club
The Gay Ass Book Club podcast featuring debut novelist Steven Gellman on writing queer YA fiction. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
May 26, 2026
[Review] Midwest Book Review
"[Somewhere in Nowhere] is impressively original, deftly crafted, fully engaging, and a fun read from start to finish." Read more.
May 14, 2026
[Review] Audiobook Fanatic
“…it almost feel[s] like you’re listening to a coming-of-age film.” Read more.
May 12, 2026
[Review] Youth Services Book Review
“Contemporary dialogue, a brisk pace and short chapters make this a good recreational read.” Read more.
May 9, 2026
[Review] Utopia State of Mind
“…a great story about finding our voice and leaning on our friends and family for support.” Read more.
Apr 28, 2026
[Interview] OUTSFL
Out South Florida interviewed Steven about his debut novel. Read on to discover the first LGBTQ+ book 19-year old Steven bought and so much more.
Apr 27, 2026
[Review] Out in Jersey
Out in Jersey's Sherri Rase says, “Read. This. Book.”
Apr 24, 2026
[Podcast] The Artsy Raven
Podcaster JF Garrard talks writing pride, music, and identity with author Steven Gellman on The Artsy Raven podcast.
Apr 21, 2026
Somewhere in Nowhere is Trending!
On Tuesday, April 21st, Somewhere in Nowhere (ebook version) hit #1 on the Teen & YA Friendship New Release List.
Apr 17, 2026
[Podcast] MWA's A Book Finds You!
Steven sat down with host Rob Jolles of A Book Finds You! Podcast for a conversation about his journey into writing. Listen here.
Apr 16, 2026
[Blog] Steven on Terrible Minds
Author, and all-around good guy, Chuck Wendig, gave Steven a guest spot on his blog—Terrible Minds.
So, what's up with Simon Bugg?
Coming out is hard, especially when you have two gay moms. At least it is for Simon Bugg. He doesn’t want the world to think that having gay parents has turned him gay. And he certainly doesn’t want anyone to know about the alien in his stomach that’s trying to kill him.
It’s Simon’s senior year and his world just turned upside down. When his mom scores a dream job, Simon lands at a new school away from the only friends he has ever known. Now, his mom is overworked and chronically stressed, and his deadbeat dad is back on the scene. Navigating a new school and new friends is a challenge for a neurotic overthinker, and Simon finds himself turning to his rescue cat and a local barista for support. But when Simon meets the handsome PJ in drama class, he gets talked into a date that he derails in spectacular fashion.
With a little help from his friends—new and old—Simon finds his way back to PJ. But how can he have a real relationship with the boy of his dreams when he’s convinced he’s going to die? No one knows about the nightly alien attacks at 11:22. Why then, and why do they keep getting worse? Simon must face a dark secret inside before he loses his chance with the boy he loves.
What Readers Are Saying…
Signings & Appearances
![[MD] HoCo Pride](http://images.zoogletools.com/s:bzglfiles/u/393565/6c686b0cb583e08451338d3d3cd1cc773c47458d/original/hoco-logo-for-web.png/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIixbNjAwLG51bGwseyJ3aXRob3V0RW5sYXJnZW1lbnQiOnRydWUsImZpdCI6Im91dHNpZGUifV1dXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png){kind=logo}
[MD] HoCo Pride
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Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway , Columbia, MD
Steven will selling his book and meeting readers at HoCo Pride!
HoCo Pride is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration that brings together thousands of community members, allies, families, and friends. This year, we’re celebrating with the theme “Exist, Persist, Love!” It’s a reminder of the strength, resilience, and joy of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the importance of creating spaces where everyone can show up, be seen, and celebrate who they are.
Howard County Pride 2026 features: Phenomenal performers on the Chrysalis stage Over 150 vendors and exhibitors lining the pathways A dozen food trucks and stalls Games, crafts, and activities throughout the park So much more!
Free
![[VA] Author Appearance @ The BiblioPub](http://images.zoogletools.com/s:bzglfiles/u/393565/1ec3baef6807bc275aeb19028369d80fc40e9aac/original/img-8918-2.jpg/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIixbNjAwLG51bGwseyJ3aXRob3V0RW5sYXJnZW1lbnQiOnRydWUsImZpdCI6Im91dHNpZGUifV1dXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg)
Have you ever wanted to eat stinky tofu while binge watching reruns of the Bionic Woman? Or fall in love with a boy named Pajamas? Or even stage your own intervention at a Waffle House?
If you answered yes to any of these, and you probably didn’t, author Steven Gellman’s debut young adult novel will take you on a journey of acceptance amidst increasingly intense panic attacks, through the eyes of Simon Bugg, a closeted sixteen-year-old, who must face a dark secret before losing his chance with the boy he loves.
Author and award-winning singer-songwriter Steven Gellman signs copies of his debut young adult novel, Somewhere in Nowhere, at The BiblioPub, Roanoke, VA. Free and open to the public. Copies available at the signing.
![[PA] A Bookish Affair in the Poconos](http://images.zoogletools.com/s:bzglfiles/u/393565/ac8641cda0cb078ff689eb962603f314d170ec9e/original/4b1021-95589c7bf86f4f4cb16c90eec7486247-mv2.jpg/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIixbNjAwLG51bGwseyJ3aXRob3V0RW5sYXJnZW1lbnQiOnRydWUsImZpdCI6Im91dHNpZGUifV1dXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg)
[PA] A Bookish Affair in the Poconos
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Chateau Resort & Conference Center, 475 Camelback Rd, Tannersville, PA
Steven will be a participating author at A Bookish Affair: a day celebrating books with local (and surrounding) authors, vendors, food, and drinks.
General Admission: $12.51
