The following is an interview with Morgan Boecher regarding the recent release of their coming-of-age graphic novel, Chicken Heart, with Street Noise Books. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Boecher about the creative process of bringing the story and characters to life on the page, what readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Chicken Heart! What can you share with us about the genesis behind this project, and how would you describe the story’s premise?
Morgan Boecher: Thank you! I wrote Chicken Heart because I wanted a story with happy outcomes for trans people that’s also honest about the anxiety and loss that can come with the territory. Additionally, I wanted to see a story about a “pre-transition” trans person, because I experienced the most vulnerability when I was furthest from my ideal gender expression. The book follows Jackie Locklear, a stand-up comedian who is trans and doesn’t know how to confront that part of himself. His Aunt Sheila’s death spurs him to take a trip to the refuge Sheila built for trans folks, the Chicken Heart Love Commune. However, as a city kid still coming to terms with his trans identity, and struggling to process his grief, the Commune doesn’t feel like a fit either. Through the power of humor and acceptance, Jackie finds a way to make space for himself.
BD: What can you tell us about your creative process in bringing this story and its characters to life on the page?
MB: Over the course of the decade I spent making this book, 80% of that time was writing and rewriting the text. I wanted to avoid sinking so much effort into illustrating a book and not have the story hold water, so I focused on getting the manuscript in a solid place before putting pencil to sketch pad. The biggest turning point in making this book happened when I let other writers read what I had written. I kept hearing that I needed to let readers in on the characters’ inner worlds, and go deeper with the scenes to find the emotional core. From there, I drew with the intent of amplifying those emotions. I believe that drawing the book by hand with pencil and ink helped me to stay emotionally connected to the story.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. In light of your incredible advocacy for queer topics in storytelling, how do you feel that this story may impact readers, and are there any conversations or questions that you hope that it might inspire?
MB: This book helped me to touch the questions that I feared the most: Can I have the love that I want as a trans person? Can I find community and home? Is tragedy inevitable? Coming out changed my life trajectory and self-image dramatically, and it’s taken me years to adapt. But I’ve learned how resilient and lovable I am in the process. Seeing other trans people tell their stories publicly assured me that I could handle coming out, too. And I saw the power of putting your voice in the world. It’s risky – I met other trans comic artists who would get bullied online and doxed – but the meaning and fulfillment brought by connecting with readers outweighed that risk.
I hope that readers will find out something about the world and about themselves reading this book. I believe this story can be helpful for people who might personally relate and for those who aren’t queer or trans, because everyone has a part of themselves that’s vulnerable to show.
BD: What makes Street Noise the perfect home for this story?
MB: Street Noise Books is the perfect fit for Chicken Heart because of their dedication to uplifting voices that aren’t getting heard due to inequity and oppression. Art’s job is to reflect and process the entirety of our world, so we need platforms for artists of all kinds. I’m thrilled to be in company with the other Street Noise authors, who create bold, original, and deeply needed work. Street Noise is a loving community of resistance, which is what Chicken Heart is all about.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
MB: My first book, What’s Normal Anyway? (Scout Publishing, 2015), is another story told with humor and heart about a trans experience. It began as a webcomic when I came out and started transitioning in 2010. That project helped me to process and laugh throughout the journey of aligning with myself. Readers would tell me things like they needed the laugh after a bad dysphoria day, and that the comic made them feel better about questioning their gender identity. That connection is the whole point for me.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Chicken Heart?
MB: Find the book wherever books are sold, and if they don’t have it, ask for it! Asking libraries to order Chicken Heart is a wonderful way to get the story out there, too. For gatherings, news and fun pics, follow @chickenheartlove and @streetnoisebooks on Instagram.
