I spend most of my time co-writing, ghostwriting, researching, or otherwise supporting clients with their books, blogs, articles, and podcasts. Though you won’t see my name in the byline, I can tell you that my work has appeared in bestselling books from top publishers, along with a wide range of international outlets including Forbes, Inc., GQ, VOGUE, Time, and more, along with award-winning podcasts and some fancy dancy high-tech apps in the meditation & mindfulness and health & wellness spaces.

If you’re interested to see some of the book projects I’ve been involved in, shuffle on over to this page.

In addition to my work for others (which is most of what I do these days), I’ve published two of my own award-winning books, along with more than 100 articles under my byline. My personal writing has been featured in The Washington Post, The Advocate, Curve Magazine, The Good Men Project, All Animals, and more. Here is some of that work.

Books

LGBTQ: The Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens. 3rd edition September 2018. Free Spirit Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.

Reviews of the third edition:

"This sensitive, frank, and supportive volume belongs in every library." —School Library Journal starred review

“Vitally important.” —Midwest Book Review

"... A remarkable amount of information for LGBTQ adolescents. ... Comprehensive and current information crisply presented without bias... Sensible, realistic recommendations for appreciating and exploring sexual and gender identity." —VOYA

“Astoundingly comprehensive and wise, LGBTQ by Kelly Huegel Madrone is filled with clear information and practical suggestions to help young people safely explore their gender and sexual identity. I wish my library had this book when I was a teen!”—Irwin Krieger, author of Helping Your Transgender Teen and Counseling Transgender and Non-Binary Youth

“At a time when so many people claim we live in a ‘post-homophobia’ era, this book is ever more important as a working resource to navigate the very real persistence of anti-queer sentiment. Enormously accessible and chock-full of substantive information, Madrone provides a healthy and helpful guide for young people navigating the churning waters of their own sexuality in a world still insistently heteronormative.”—Suzanna Danuta Walters, professor of sociology and director of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Northeastern University and author of The Tolerance Trap: How God, Genes, and Good Intentions Are Sabotaging Gay Rights

“LGBTQ is an essential resource for teens, parents, school administrators, and anyone else who wants to provide an affirming environment for young people eager to learn more about themselves and about how to be a good ally to others. The book manages to be both readable and accessible to teens, while providing some of the latest information about the state of legal protections for LGBTQ young people across the country, and surveying medical, mental health, and social science research on sexuality, gender, and identity. Navigating young adulthood is hard. For young people armed with LGBTQ, it will be easier.”—Camilla Taylor, director of constitutional litigation at Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

“LGBTQ is a book for EVERYONE, whether queer or hetero, to learn how to be a true advocate for yourself and the rainbow community under the umbrella of the social justice movement. This is the book I wish my pansexual self had as a teenager to refer back to regularly and know I was not (and am not) alone. Consider this your queer encyclopedia, a conduit to navigating a sometimes still hateful and judgy world, with a soft pillow of loving advice to cushion the blow. There is a newer, preferable language in the gay community that includes everyone—this book will help you be sensitive toward others as you find yourself. Love is indeed love, but this book will take you far beyond love with a strong education of your legal rights and cultural history.”—Chloé Jo Davis, founder and editor of GirlieGirlArmy.com, conscious living expert, and activist

“Kelly’s guide is exactly what it says it is: a survival guide for teens about LGBTQ life. It presents the facts about what it means to be LGBTQ as well as provides teens practical advice on how to come out, how to fight transphobia and homophobia, and how to be their most awesome authentic selves. She takes a no-frills approach to giving teens as much information about LGBTQ life as possible. The book offers personal anecdotes from other young people, which helps give the book a more personal feel, while at the same time empowering the reader to do something we could all use a little help in: hold a brave space for themselves.”—Julie Seaver, executive director, Compass LGBT Community Center, Lake Worth, FL

Selected reviews and awards for previous editions:

“[An] essential resource for both queer and straight youth—and those who care about them.”—Youth Today
“Huegel’s book is extremely practical, not just for LGBTQ students but also for adults who desire a greater understanding of the issues our LGBTQ students face on a daily basis.”—ASCA School Counselor
“One of the best guides available for queer teens and their allies . . . Huegel unflinchingly and clearly explains what young adults, parents, and educators want and need to know . . . An excellent choice for libraries of all types.”—School Library Journal
“Addresses the most critical issues faced by contemporary GLBTQ teens . . . the information it provides for teens makes it a valuable addition to any high school or public library collection.”—VOYA
“One of the best one-volume sources of information available about being GLBTQ.” —Booklist
“An indispensable map through the wilderness, one that should be issued to every queer kid immediately.” —The Advocate
“This book will not be gathering dust on a shelf. If it doesn’t disappear completely, swiped by a teen who desperately needs it, it will be in constant use.”—KLIATT
 

• “Popular Paperback for Young Adults,” ALA/YALSA

• Benjamin Franklin Book Award Winner

• “Books for the Teen Age,” New York Public Library

• Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalist

• Independent Publisher Book Award Winner

• Social justice recommended reading list from NNSTOY--the National Network of State Teachers or the Year

• Also published in Japan