LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE 2025 “Writing a funny book is hard. Writing a convincing takedown of one of America’s most popular prejudices is harder still. Writing a funny novel in which complex, imperfect characters make a compelling case for one of our culture’s most maligned groups—that takes smarts and heart. Fortunately for her readers, St. James is in full possession of both.” —Meredith Maran, Washington Post One of Vox's Best Books of the Year • One of Book Riot’s and The Mary Sue ’s 15 Most Anticipated Queer Books of 2025 • One of The Millions ’, Kirkus ’s, The AV Club’s, Them ’s, LGBTQ Reads and NBC's Most Anticipated Books of 2025 • One of Vol. 1 Brooklyn’s, Autostraddle’s, LA Times ’s, and BookBrowse’s Most Anticipated Reads of March 2025 • One of Bustle ’s Best Books of Spring 2025 • Matty Maggiacomo’s March Book Club Pick An unforgettable and heartwarming book-club debut following a trans high school teacher from a small town in South Dakota who befriends the only other trans woman she knows: one of her students. Erica Skyberg is thirty-five years old, recently divorced—and trans. Not that she's told anyone yet. Mitchell, South Dakota, isn't exactly bursting with other trans women. Instead, she keeps to herself, teaching by day and directing community theater by night. That is, until Abigail Hawkes enters her orbit. Abigail is seventeen, Mitchell High’s resident political dissident and Only Trans Girl. It’s a role she plays faultlessly, albeit a little reluctantly. She's also annoyed by the idea of spending her senior year secretly guiding her English teacher through her transition. But Abigail remembers the uncertainty—and loneliness—that comes with it. Besides, Erica isn’t the only one struggling to shed the weight of others’ expectations. As their unlikely friendship evolves, it comes under the scrutiny of their community. And soon, both women—and those closest to them—are forced to ask: Who are we if we choose to hide ourselves? What happens once we disappear into the woodwork? Detransition Baby meets Fleishman is in Trouble in this remarkable debut novel from an incisive contemporary voice. A story about the awkwardness of growing up and the greatest love story of all, that between us and our friends, Woodworking is a tonic for the moment and a celebration of womanhood in all its multifaceted joy. “A testament to the power of intergenerational trans stories . . . dazzling.” — VOGUE “Big-hearted and hilarious, an ode to authenticity and a must-read in our current times.” —Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE 2025 One of Vox's Best Books of the Year • One of Book Riot’s and The Mary Sue ’s 15 Most Anticipated Queer Books of 2025 • One of The Millions ’, Kirkus ’s, The AV Club’s, Them ’s, LGBTQ Reads and NBC's Most Anticipated Books of 2025 • One of Vol. 1 Brooklyn’s, Autostraddle’s, LA Times ’s, and BookBrowse’s Most Anticipated Reads of March 2025 • One of Bustle ’s Best Books of Spring 2025 • Matty Maggiacomo’s March Book Club Pick “A charming, sparkling, and very human novel that packs a heavy punch . . . This book is a hoot and a ride.” —Vox (A Best Book of the Year) “I flew through Woodworking , cheering for Abigail and Erica and their against-the-odds friendship all the way. Only Emily St. James could write a book so big-hearted and hilarious, an ode to authenticity and a must-read in our current times.” —Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures “ Woodworking doesn’t offer easy lessons. Ugliness and hate rub shoulders with glimpses of freedom, growth, and transformation. Like St. James, I believe in the magic of television, films, and books to transform hearts, and I hope that for readers, her authentic, though fictional, stories might create a little space to counter the lies of those currently in power.” — LA Review of Books “Pristinely characterized, this debut novel is by turns funny and heartrending.” — Kirkus (starred review) “A testament to the power of intergenerational trans stories . . . dazzling.” — VOGUE “One of the most heartfelt, funny, and moving portraits of transition I’ve ever come across. Illustrating the very simple truth that we never stop growing up, Erica and Abigail’s friendship is as real as it comes. We can all only hope for a sisterhood like theirs.” —Imogen Binnie, author of Nevada “The delightful story of an unlikely friendship . . . St. James enthralls with her depiction of what it’s like to be trans in a conservative and insular community, and the courage it takes for people to openly be themselves. This engrossing drama is a must-read.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “I loved this book. I adored this book. This book is maybe my favorite novel I’ve read so far this year . . . overflowing with warmth and heart