Writer Serhiy Kislyi: a voice of bold love from Odesa

In a world where literature often avoids topics that go beyond the usual, Serhiy Kislyi, artist and writer from Odessa, created a work that challenges stereotypes and opens new horizons for Ukrainian prose.​

There were a lot of problems with the publication of the book. The book is thematic, gay. It's just that there were a lot of publishers, they "froze" me, so to speak. Although I do everything with my own money. I have no sponsors, no assistants. Even for money - they refused, inventing a problem, - the author of the novel shares the history of the publication, - but still I found a publisher. This is ours Astroprint publishing house from Odesa. 

"Just Be With Me" is a novel that changes perceptions

Serhiy Kisly's book "Just be with me" — is a gay novel that combines elements of sports, crime, tenderness, love, and betrayal. Serhiy worked on it for several years, rewriting from scratch to convey the depth of feelings and the complexity of relationships.

I have a group of people who want to buy this book. They are heterosexuals. And by the way, heterosexuals helped me a lot in creating the book, says the author of the novel "Just Be With Me."

The novel was published shortly before the start of the war, which unfortunately affected its distribution and sales.

Podcast: history of creation and plans for the future

In an exclusive podcast for Gpress.info, Serhiy shared the story of the book's creation and his plans for future works. He spoke about the challenges he faced while writing it, and how personal experiences influenced the plot.

Podcast available for listening на SoundCloud.

The importance of translation and support

Although the novel is written in Russian, it deserves to be translated into Ukrainian and republished. This will not only help spread the work to a wider audience, but also support the Ukrainian LGBT community, which needs to have its stories reflected in modern literature.

I'm kind of gay myself, yes. Perhaps, most likely (in the book, - ed.) I was revealing those subtleties that I wanted to betray to the "natural society", so to speak. The thread that they don't see, they don't understand, - shares Serhiy Kislyi.

A call to publishers and readers

Currently, publishers are not interested in reprinting the book, even without royalties. This creates a need for support from readers, activists, and anyone who believes in the importance of diversity in literature.

Spreading the word about the novel, discussing it on social media, and contacting publishers can make a difference.​

Artist Serhiy Kislyi — It is an example of how a personal story can be a source of inspiration for others. His novel "Just Be With Me" is not only a literary work, but also an act of courage and openness.

By supporting such stories, we are taking a step towards a more inclusive and understanding society in Ukraine.

You can learn more about Serhiy and his book in the podcast Gpress.info: https://soundcloud.com/ddofcwjkqd2x/gey-pisatel-iz-odessy-o-svoey-knige-s-istoriey-lyubvi 

Attention! ! To read this article in Ukrainian - follow the link.