Q&A with Lucas Wilson – Author Interview

Lucas Wilson is a writer whose work tackles complex, often overlooked topics with honesty, intelligence and a willingness to challenge assumptions. In this Q&A interview, we speak with Wilson about his book Shame-Sex Attraction, exploring the ideas, experiences and conversations that helped shape the work. Thoughtful and insightful throughout, Lucas shares a candid look at the writing process and the motivations behind addressing themes that are both deeply personal and socially significant.

Our conversation goes beyond the pages of the book to examine the broader issues surrounding identity, relationships and the impact of shame on how people understand themselves and others. Lucas Wilson offers readers a genuine and engaging perspective on his work, discussing the challenges of writing about sensitive subjects while remaining accessible and relatable. Whether you’re already familiar with his writing or approaching it for the first time, this interview provides valuable insight into both the author and the important conversations his work encourages.

About The Author

Tell us more about you.

A fun fact (depending on your definition of fun) is that I went to the world’s largest evangelical university: Liberty University. It was as bizarre of an experience as you probably are thinking!

What are the three items you’d take on a deserted island?

Insofar as I wouldn’t last longer than a few days, I’d probably bring a comfy bed, a heaping plate of Thai food, and a liter of iced tea because I might as well enjoy my last few hours of life. Might as well go out in style!

Who is your biggest role model?

Probably Martina from my favourite podcast: Shootin the Shit with Tracy and Martina. If you don’t know who she is or haven’t listened to her podcast (available wherever you listen to your podcasts), do so immediately.

What is your favourite book and who is your favourite author?

My favourite book is Anne of Green Gables (my Canadian sensibilities run deep). My favourite author is Anzia Yezierska—she makes me feel, a lot.

Do you prefer e-books, physical books or audiobook?

I always prefer physical books!

Is writing your full-time profession or a hobby?

I am currently a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, but my contract ends later this year, so I will be a full-time writer soon!

What social media platform do you like and use the most?

I use Instagram the most, but I am also on others. Links to my socials:

Your Writing Process

How do you go about starting a new novel?

I don’t write novels (yet!), but I do write short stories and queer histories. For my short stories, I already have an idea for how the story is going to happen—at least in general terms—so I throw down as much as I can on the page and then massage it from there. For my histories, I take extensive notes on my primary and secondary sources, mull them over, organize my notes, and then piece together the history as it is presented to me through my sources. It feels like I am assembling a puzzle, and I love it.

Where do you like to write?

My favourite place to write is a café. I love to people watch as I write.

What do you like most about writing?

I love being able to articulate the pure absurdity that churns in my mind (of which there is a lot!). Being able to spin a sentence in just the right way, especially if I am able to serve up a laugh, is one of the most satisfying activities for me.

What do you find stops you from writing more?

xHaving to promote my work slows me down immensely. I do enjoy the social media and podcast side of things a lot, but it takes up a lot of my time that I would otherwise focus on my writing.

What genres do you like to write and why?

I like to write creative nonfiction because I have so many stories from my past—and so many stories I stumble across in my research—that are wild. I want to give voice to those.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

Write and read as much as you can. I used to think I was a strong writer when I first started writing in undergrad—how wrong was I… I wasn’t a bad writer per se, but I did not have enough practice, nor did I have enough exposure to others’ work, which resulted in uninspired prose. The more you write, the more you learn and establish your own voice. And the more you read, the more inspiration you find. Writing and reading work in tandem, and I truly don’t think there is a shortcut that sidesteps these two practices/activities. This is perhaps obvious, but it’s accurate.

Showcase Your Book!

How many books have you written and if more than one, what’s your favourite?

I have written one academic book and (co)edited two edited collections, one academic and one creative. The academic book is about the intergenerational transmission of trauma from Holocaust survivors to their descendants, entitled At Home with the Holocaust: Postmemory, Domestic Space, and Second-Generation Holocaust Narratives (Rutgers University Press, 2025).

The academic collection I coedited is about the literature by grandchildren of Holocaust, entitled Emerging Trends in Third-Generation Holocaust Literature (Lexington Books, 2023). The creative edited collection I edited, which is my favourite of the three, is an anthology of stories about conversion therapy written by conversion-therapy survivors, entitled Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2025).

My next anthology, entitled Don’t Ask, Tell All: Stories of Christian Colleges’ Anti-LGBTQ+ Regimes, will be published next year by University of Georgia Press!

How long did Shame-Sex Attraction take you to write?

Shame-Sex Attraction took me almost a year and a half to put together, and it was a sincere labour of love!

Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being an author?

My favourite thing about being an author is hearing that my work resonated with readers. I love receiving DMs, comments on social media posts, and texts from folks who read my work and found something that speaks to them. I am so grateful to hear from my readers.

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