And Don't F&%k It Up

“¡Amo este libro! It’s dripping with cuchi, uniqueness, nerve, and talent!”–Charo”[A]n immensely entertaining look at how a little TV show shot in a basement studio went from a cult favorite to a taste-making cultural juggernaut and global success… Loaded with heartbreaking and hilarious first-person confessions, this book’s a winner, baby!“–Library Journal, starred review“Everyone who works in my stores spends all day talking about Drag Race. Now they can spend all day talking about And Don’t F&%k It Up. I can’t wait!”–Jonathan Adler“Everything you wanted to know (and more) about the twisted minds behind the best mothertucking show on earth.”–Simon Doonan, author of Drag: The Complete Story“Few stones go unturned, and readers will find here the origins of the most iconic lines (“Go back to Party City where you belong!”) to the truth about how the queens really felt about each other… The audience for the show has grown, and with all the earlier seasons available on streaming, this will be an essential addition to any pop-culture collection.“–Booklist“Finally, the Drag Race book that sets the record straight. I mean queer.”–Alec Mapa“For fans of the show, the book’s juicy specifics from cast and crew will provide a wealth of new background about their favorite unforgettable moments, as well as details about things left on the cutting-room floor.”–The Daily Beast“If you want to know how drag changed the world, and might just save it, read this book.”–Ronan Farrow, New York Times bestselling author of Catch and Kill“Journalist Fernandez’s fabulous debut serves the tea on RuPaul’s Drag Race…The behind-the-scenes stories feel as if readers are eavesdropping on the show’s “werkroom,” but this oral history really shines in its willingness to tackle weightier issues, as when RuPaul opines on the importance of queer representation and when performer Asia O’Hara reflects on dealing with racism from the show’s fandom. Hilarious and affecting, it’s an uproarious celebration of what has become a television institution.“–Publishers Weekly, starred review“Mama Ru proves once again that reading is what FUNDAMENTAL.”–Big Freedia“The heart of [And Don’t F&%k It Up] lies in the candid, witty commentary of show producers, queens, judges, and RuPaul himself, as each shares memorable moments from the first 10 seasons… A commemorative celebration and a must-have for fans.”–Kirkus Reviews“The queens of Drag Race spill the tea on what it took to turn this queer little show into a global phenomenon.”–Loni Love“10s 10s 10s across the board.”–Andy Cohen

Maria Elena Fernandez is an award-winning journalist who covered Drag Race since before the world was introduced to the term “halleloo.” Fernandez was the first mainstream journalist to be allowed on set to write about the show for the Los Angeles Times after being dazzled by RuPaul and the first season queens at a promotional event before the show’s launch. Fernandez covered entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, Vulture, The Daily Beast, Newsweek and NBC News for 15 years.