• Age: 14 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12
• Reading age: 14 to 18

"A timely tale of friendship, self-acceptance, and the importance of proper contouring."—Kevin Christopher Snipes, author of Milo and Marcos at the End of the World

A laugh-out-loud YA debut that examines the realities of small-town queer life and celebrates the transformative power of drag—perfect for fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Pumpkin.

Peter Thompkin needs a public image overhaul. After a tense confrontation with one of the few other queer kids in his small-town high school, rumors about him are becoming more elaborate by the day. Meanwhile, his best friend Alan (aka teen drag queen Aggie Culture) is throwing Mason County’s debut Drag Extravaganza. Although Peter is a self-described “dragnostic,” he decides to help produce the show, hoping to prove that he isn’t a self-hating gay. In the process, he finds himself facing down angry guard dogs, angrier bigots, and a very high-strung church lady. As backlash grows, Peter begins to wonder whether he's setting fire to his already damaged reputation and if his friendship with Alan will survive past curtain call.

At turns touching, sharply funny, and a little absurd, Dragging Mason County explores the pains and pleasures of queer community through one teen’s journey to self-acceptance.

CURTIS CAMPBELL is a writer, comedian, and theatre artist. His plays are mainstays of the Toronto indie theatre scene, and he is the winner of the inaugural Comedy Bar and Second City Award for Best Comedy at the 2022 Toronto Fringe. NOW Toronto has described Curtis’ work as “razor sharp,” the Toronto Star called it “pitch perfect satire,” and Curtis’ mother has described it as “just not my cup of tea.” Curtis grew up in rural Ontario and now lives in Toronto with an artist named Kevin and their dog, Pip. Dragging Mason County is his debut novel.

 

Curtis Campbell's profile page

Kevin Christopher Snipes, author of Milo and Marcos at the End of the World

“I loved Peter’s personal journey of self-discovery, navigating the challenges of prejudice and intolerance while producing the gaggiest drag show his county has ever seen. Dragging Mason County is an empowering young adult novel that celebrates the vibrant spirit of queer individuals, advocacy in a digital age, and the transformative magic of drag.”

Bombae, from Canada’s Drag Race

“A hilarious romp through small-town drag. The 'face' of this book is all sequins and glitter, but behind the shiny exterior is a story about messy, fraught friendship and self-discovery.”

Tanya Boteju, author of Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens

“Hold on to your wigs! Dragging Mason County serves a hilarious, heartwarming story of acceptance and bravery, all while boasting a sickening cast of characters with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to spare.”

Erik J. Brown, author of Lose You to Find Me and All That’s Left in the World

“Dragging Mason County feels like the teenage love child of David Sedaris and John Waters. In hero Peter Thompkin, Curtis Campbell has created a wholly singular yet deeply familiar character whose coming-of-age journey takes us through a crackling seen-it-all wit into the tenderness of self-discovery where we are reminded that feeling more can help us need less. Smart, funny, relevant, and ultimately touching. A delightful debut.”

Daniel MacIvor, award-winning playwright and performer

Brian Francis, author of Fruit

“A sharp and startlingly timely story about drag's ability to transform not just a person, but a community.”

Anthony Oliveira, GLAAD Media Award–winning author

Alexandra Mae Jones, author of The Queen of Junk Island

“Dragging Mason County is a timely book about a small town grappling with its humanity. This gem of a novel is chock-full of humor, heart, and hair spray. Campbell has given us characters who, if given a chance, could definitely rule the world. A worthy and important debut.”

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, author of Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town

With biting humor and big personalities, Dragging Mason County serves up enough memorable one-liners to fill an entire season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. But at its shiny, sequin-loving heart, there’s an emotionally tender story about learning how to fully accept who you are . . . and celebrate it as well.

Brian D. Kennedy, author of A Little Bit Country

“Dragging Mason County is like a good drag show: fun, messy, celebratory, and over much too soon. Peter and the queens of The House of Rural Realness show us how much a positive queer space means to people, especially young people.”

Dani Jansen, author of The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life

“Showcasing a friendship that withstands hardship and disagreements, DRAGGING MASON COUNTY is a comedic novel in which queer teenagers butt against small minds, but still put on a heartwarming, showstopping display of selfdiscovery.”

Foreword Reviews, September/October 2023