Publishers are stepping back from LGBTQ+ books as book bans surge, and the U.S. enters 2025 under a GOP president. Industry insiders say more queer manuscripts are being rejected, with royalties dropping—especially in children’s and young adult publishing. PEN America tracked over 10,000 bans in 2023–2024 and nearly 7,000 more last school year. Darius the Great is Not Okay Author Adib Khorram reports a 70 percent royalty drop.
