The Sugarbaby Book Tour Recapped
November 6th, 2024
The Sugarbaby Book Tour has come to a glorious end. Below are press photos from each event in chronological order and messages from me to each bookseller who was kind enough to invite me to their fabulous stores, and to each reader who purchased a signed copy of The Diary of a Sugarbaby. You brought my dream to life! Thank you!
Book Signing at the Barnes & Noble in Glastonbury, CT
June 1st, 2024
On the 1st day of Pride Month, I kick-started the Sugarbaby Book Tour at the Barnes & Noble in Glastonbury, Connecticut. I wish to give a grande grazie to Katie and the kind and fabulous team over at B&N who helped make this dream happen! You were all such a delight to meet!
I graduated high school in the Middlesex County, which just neighbors the Hartford County. In a way, this was my homecoming. I saw many old faces and many new ones as well! Thank you so much to everyone who pulled up and made lil ol’ me feel special—my mother, my sisters Danielle and Gabrielle, my brother Joshua, my niece Hadlee, my second family the Cartagenas, and my dear old friends Noelle, Ruby, Sam, and Jamie! 💙🥹 The love is not lost on me. (I definitely got a little emotional at one point).
And to those I just met, it was absolutely enchanting to meet you! Raymond and Raymond Jr., Julia, Nancy, Rosemary, Bernadette, and Jon, piacere! 🥰❤️
Book Signing at the Barnes & Noble in Annapolis, MD
June 29th, 2024
For my second stop, I went to the Barnes & Noble in Annapolis, Maryland. I’d like to thank Maureen, Amber, Janine, and Lexi who were so kind to help organize the event. Thank you so much for taking care of me and my partner and making us feel so welcomed and comfortable! It was a successful day, and I appreciate everything you did to help ensure that!
I’ve never been to Annapolis before, and wow, what a beautiful community! I met so many thoughtful and interesting people. Casey, Mike, Riley, Julia, Annie, Hannah, Mayu, Linda, Linda-Ann, Rupi, Arjun, Hana, Emilie, and Megan… Each and every one of you were such a delight to meet! You made me fall for Annapolis! ❤️
I’d also like to thank my loving partner Evan who helped drive and set up for the event. You are my rock!
Book Signing at New York City’s PrideFest
June 30th, 2024
For my third stop, I drove out to the Big Apple just after my book signing in Annapolis. I’d like to thank the amazing Heritage of Pride non-profit that organizes New York City's LGBTQIA+ Pride events! Thank you not only for the amazing opportunity to sell and showcase my bestselling book The Diary of a Sugarbaby but also for constantly bringing queer folks together and spreading love, support, culture, and community!
I’d also like to thank Chaz, Zoe, and Jess for bringing me in on this project and acquiring the permit to sell our books at PrideFest. Thank you, Strand Book Store, for allowing us to perch outside your trailblazer of a store. Thank you, Edward Miskie, for being the best table mate ever! We went through the experience together, and I appreciate that we looked out for each other through the wind, rain, and shine! Most of all, I’d like to thank the volunteers at PrideFest who made sure everyone was hydrated, handing out free waters, and had a tent, table, and chairs. You were all so thoughtful and generous. Your kindness is not lost on me. I am so happy and proud to call this my community! 🌈✨😄
Every person I spoke to at Pride was an absolute sweetheart! 🥹💞 Grace, Greg, Beth, Amanda, Brian, Miles, Julius, Jordan, Andrew, and the many other people whose names escape me but their spirit and kindness do not. The queer community is truly a magical thing! The love was atmospheric! 🖤🏳️⚧️ Thank you to my friends and loved ones—Evan, Brandon, Minh-Huy, Jean, Wilson, and Chaz—for pulling up and showing their support.
In high school when I lived in Connecticut, I used to take Metro-North to Manhattan once or twice a month on the weekends without my parents’ permission to go to free museums or idle around the city. In my twenties, one of my sugardaddies had a place near Gramercy Park. When I lived with him, I used to explore Greenwich Village and nearby neighborhoods all the time. I have fond memories. My first pride parade was in NYC (2015). While I had experienced threats and hate after using a women’s bathroom in Grand Central, the parade itself was nothing but love. I’m happy and lucky to have a place in this world where I feel safe and supported by people who get it.
Thank you again, Heritage of Pride. Please donate to Heritage of Pride today!
Book Signing at Little District Books in Washington, D.C.
July 20th, 2024
For my fourth stop, I took the train out to the federal capital of the USA, Washington, D.C., for a lovely book signing at the famous queer-owned indie bookstore Little District Books!
I want to give a big thank you to Patrick & Amir for having me in their fabulous and welcoming shop! I’m so happy, lucky, and proud that queer indie bookstores like yours exist in this world! A world where people like us are being stripped of our rights—our right to read, our right to perform drag, and our right to exist and love. Thankfully, we have bookstores like LDB who increase access to queer books, provide queer people with a safe place to enjoy literature, and uplift voices of queer indie authors!
Above are the beautiful and radiant faces I met at the book signing! Thank you, Amir, Patrick, and Lidi, for helping me set up and for being my camera people! And thank you to everyone who stopped by and picked up their copy of The Diary of a Sugarbaby. It was a petit turnout, but Amy, Tyler, Rosemary, and Adam, I had lovely, lovely chats with you all! I am beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to sign here in D.C.
Book Signing at Barbara’s Bookstore in Chicago
August 10th, 2024
For my fifth stop, I flew out to the Windy City, Chicago, for a book signing at Barbara’s Bookstore on State Street! I would like to thank Lisa Linke and Sophie Devarenne for organizing the event! Thank you to my loving partner, Evan, for helping me with the set-up. Thank you to everyone who picked up a copy of The Diary of a Sugarbaby. Richard, it was lovely meeting you! And Jessica, thank you for the lovely surprise. You made my weekend!
when your best friend you haven't seen in 5 years surprises you at your book signing in Chicago...
Pitstop #1: Chicago’s WGN TV with Sean Lewis
August 10th, 2024
Before my signing, I sat with Chicago’s Very Own WGN9 and had the pleasure of meeting journalist Sean Lewis! He asked lovely, researched, and probing questions. He was kind, warm, and calming. It was my first time on live television, and I’m happy it was with him. Thank you so much to everyone over at WGN who made me feel so SO welcomed! Thank you, Rachel Sanchez, for organizing the interview. Thank you, Will Knight Photography, for connecting me. And thank you, Sean, for your kindness! I hope to return to Chicago soon!
J.Q. Gagliastro sits with journalist Sean Lewis of Chicago's WGN TV!
Photo Gallery
Book Signing at the Toadstool Bookshop in Keene, New Hampshire
September 14th, 2024
For the sixth stop along the Sugarbaby Book Tour, my partner and I drove six hours to Keene, NH, for a book signing at The Toadstool Bookshop! I would like to thank Elise and Matt for organizing the event and giving me the space to share my work! You were all so kind and thoughtful. Thank you again for having me!
And thank you so much to everyone who picked up a copy of The Diary of a Sugarbaby. I had many lovely and genuine chats. Cilena, thank you for saying hi at the coffee shop and for later stopping by the signing! Stephen, my fellow horror-head, I loved talking about Terrifier and Longlegs with you! Matt, you’re welcome to Philly whenever! And Kate, I believe in you!
Pitstop #2: NYC’s Queer Book Club
October 18th, 2024
QBC started in 2023 as a book club for 2SLGBTQIA+ readers in New York City. According to Andrew Karo, “what started as a group of 8 has now reached over 120 members!” They turned one in October. The event was held on October 18th at 8 pm in Hudson Yards. If you would like to join the QBC for future gatherings, please message Andrew on Instagram or send them an email.
Book Signing at the Barnes & Noble in West Hartford, CT
October 19th, 2024
For the seventh stop on my Sugarbaby Book Tour, I went to the Barnes & Noble in West Hartford, Connecticut, the day after meeting with NYC’s Queer Book Club. Thank you so much Gia and everyone at the B&N who helped organize the event! It was such a wonderful and successful day! Quite truly one of my favorite signings. Everyone I met was so kind, open-minded, warm, and funny. I had the best conversations. Thank you to everyone who stopped by!
Book Signing at the Barnes & Noble in Philadelphia, PA
November 2nd, 2024, Día de Muertos
The final signing of my Sugarbaby Book Tour took place in my home city of Philadelphia at the Barnes & Noble on Chestnut! It was the shortest of my book signings by far, but it packed a heavy punch!
Not only was it the end of my book tour but it was also my bookaversary. On November 2nd, 2023, I submitted my book for publication. By November 3rd, I became an officially published author. I appreciate that TDS’s birthday falls over Dios de los Muertos. I am not Mexicano but have always felt connected to the beautiful holiday even before 2023. I didn’t plan it that way. The stars were simply aligned. The spirits were in town. And my grandmother was with me. Still is.
Thank you to my friends and family who showed support. Thank you to the friendly new faces I had the pleasure of meeting. And thank you Barnes & Noble Philly for shining your spotlight on me!
I worked hard. I faced adversity head-on. And I annoyed the hell out of bookstores. It hasn’t hit me that the ✧ Sugarbaby Book Tour ✧ is over, but it has hit me how lucky and grateful I am that I get to chase my dreams. Thank you to every bookstore and reader!