Munroe Bergdorf announces her first book, Transitional, on gender, sexuality and race

‘This is a book about all of us, for all of us,’ says activist

Munroe Bergdorf has signed a six-figure deal with Bloomsbury to publish her first-ever book in 2021.

On Friday, the activist announced the news on Instagram writing: “So excited to finally be able to tell you that my debut book.

“This is a book about all of us, for all of us. None of us are done growing, none of us are done learning. We have everything to gain from embracing and understanding each other's differences. In one way or another, we ALL transition.”

She continued: “You’ll see a different side to me in this book, maybe you’ll see a different side to yourself too.”

The book, which is titled Transitional, draws on Bergdorf’s own experiences, including being raised in a mixed-race family and starting her transition at the age of 24.

It will also feature research from experts and activists to “explore how deeply ingrained transitioning is” in human experience.

Transitional will look deeply into six topics, including adolescence, sexuality, gender, relationships, identity and race, and explore the act of transitioning as something “we all face in every phase of life”.

In a statement, the author said she hopes the book will help to “educate all kinds of people”.

“This is a tough time for trans people living in the UK and around the world, so it means so much to be working on my first book with the largest independent publishing house in the country,” Bergdorf said.

“By sharing my lived experience as a black trans woman, I hope that this book will serve to open more minds, start important conversations and help to educate all kinds of people in a way that brings us closer to a global consciousness—especially during this time of division.”

In an interview with the Guardian, Bergdorf added that she envisaged the book as “a manifesto” for how she sees society changing for the better.

The trans experience, she said, is “thought of by a lot of people as this far-off idea that isn’t that relatable”.

“I wanted to drive home the fact that we all transition in one way or another,” Bergdorf said. “None of us stays the same. We’re all on a journey, and a transition with regards to gender is just one of many we all experience as human beings.”

The book was bought by Bloomsbury for a six-figure sum following a bidding war between 11 publishers.

Speaking about the upcoming release, Alexis Kirschbaum, associate publisher at Bloomsbury, called Bergdorf an “inspiring woman” and said that Transitional will be “an affective and insightful guide to how to integrate personal authenticity and the realities of the modern world”.

“It promises to be a book of rare wisdom about the difficulties and possibilities embodied in the choices of the 21st century identity,” she said. “Munroe has a point of view that is exceptionally wise and humane, and the life experience to back it up.”

You can pre-order Transitional here.