Just By Looking at Him

Just By Looking At Him is a horny romp that makes you think, laugh, and feel. Ryan O’Connell is one of my favourite writers because he always finds the perfect balance between cutting and contemplative – Monica Heisey, author of REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLYFunny, horny, heatbreaking. If you liked Detransition Baby you might like this: all anarchic queerness and great jokes – Caroline O’Donoghue, author of PROMISING YOUNG WOMENA very funny novel about falling for a fantasy and finding love for one’s own self … Ryan O’Connell explores the lessons that the vulnerable human body has to teach us, and he does so with humor, heart and heat – Melissa Broder, author of THE PISCESI’ve loved Ryan O’Connell’s voice in every iteration, but his turn to fiction is my favorite Ryan yet: sharp, bawdy, yet still deeply touching. It’s shockingly elegant, and elegantly shocking – Lena Dunham, author of NOT THAT KIND OF GIRLA novel about self-discovery following a character at the intersection of queerness and disability, with plenty of sex involved * Gay Times *The writing is dazzling, so funny and free, it’s like making friends with someone new and exciting at a party and instantly becoming their best friend. Ceaselessly entertaining, no-filter comedy, scathing, sparkling and uplifting – Justin Myers, author of THE LAST ROMEOWith his singular voice and unforgettable wit, O’Connell movingly explores how our messiest moments can lead to radical self-acceptance. Elliott’s journey may be his own, but what he discovers about the absurdity of the human condition is universal – Steven Rowley, author of LILY AND THE OCTOPUSFilthy, funny and outrageous. This novel is full of painfully recognisable characters who are impossible not to fall for. I loved it – Laura Kay, author of THE SPLITA perfect summer beach read: very funny but also with important things to say about the intersections of disability and queer identity – Andrew McMillan, author of PHYSICALJust By Looking At Him is a revelation - Ryan manages to perfectly encapsulate the nuances of disability, while avoiding the air of self-pity that so often clouds disabled narratives crafted by able bodied people. The book is consistently hilarious and relatable. I’m obsessed! – Ione Gamble, author of POOR LITTLE SICK GIRLSI’m breathless in admiration - it’s super sharp, staggeringly funny, hot as hell and stealthily moving. It’s going to be a mega-hit! – Matt Cain, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF ALBERT ENTWISTLE

Ryan O’Connell is the Emmy-nominated writer, producer and star of Netflix’s critically acclaimed comedy series, Special. He’s written for The New York Times, Vice and Vulture, as well as for television, including the reboot of Queer as Folk, in which he also stars, MTV’s Awkward, Will & Grace, and Netflix’s The Baby-Sitter’s Club. He is the recipient of a GLAAD Award and an HRC Award. In 2020 he made the Time 100 Next list as one of the rising artists shaping the future of the entertainment industry.