Emily R. Austin Books in Order

Telemarketer Jane repeatedly calls the same man under different names, provoking increasingly threatening responses. As her changing accounts of the past reveal a hidden purpose, an apparently routine exchange becomes a disturbing struggle over what really happened.

Anxious atheist Gilda accidentally accepts a receptionist job at a Catholic church while seeking free therapy. Her attempt to comfort her dead predecessor’s friend through impersonation becomes dangerous when police question the circumstances of the woman’s death.

Enid balances a fascination with space, casual dating, and attempts to reconnect with her estranged half-sisters. When a serious relationship develops, she becomes convinced someone is following her, forcing her to confront fears and shame she cannot escape.

These poems rework Catholic prayers and biblical passages through queer and feminist perspectives. Combining humor, desire, and affection, the collection challenges exclusionary readings of faith while affirming the lives of women and LGBTQ people.

Sigrid resists adulthood while working a dead-end job, frustrating her conventional older sister Margit. As Margit uncovers the pain behind Sigrid’s detachment, their shared childhood imagination offers a way to understand each other and rebuild their bond.

Librarian Darcy’s contented marriage is shaken by news of her former boyfriend’s death. Returning from medical leave, she faces demands for book bans, forcing her to confront guilt, past relationships, and her role in defending the community’s library.