Praise for Finding Renée Richards
Here’s what early readers had to say.
Finding Renée Richards comes out in just a few months! I recently proofed the text for the last time, which is terrifying but also exciting.
Here are some words of praise from folks who got a sneak peek. I’m so appreciative of (and frankly starstruck by) their support.
- “Finding Renée Richards offers a fascinating account of an important and often overlooked figure in American sports and culture. Julie Kliegman tells the story with impressive research, vivid writing, and searing honesty. A timely and timeless book.” —Jonathan Eig, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for King: A Life
- “Julie Kliegman’s insightful, informative biography of iconoclastic ophthalmologist turned tennis pro Renée Richards—the world’s most famous trans woman in the 1970s—couldn’t be more timely or relevant today in light of the current culture wars over trans people in sports.” —Susan Stryker, Lambda Literary Award–winning author of Transgender History
- “Finding Renée Richards is a magnificent portrait of one of the most famous trans women in American history. Kliegman catalogs Renée Richards’s life and career with remarkable care, excavating the intimate thoughts — and occasional political contradictions — of a titanic figure in queer life.” —Michael Waters, Lambda Literary Award–winning author of The Other Olympians
- “An elegant, meticulous investigation of one of the most intriguing people in tennis history. Kliegman explores the gap between gender politics past and present to poignant and thought-provoking effect; this book illuminates not just Richards but an entire society shifting around her.” —Giri Nathan, bestselling author of Changeover
- “Amid culture war screaming, Finding Renée Richards dials down the noise and diligently documents generational shifts in both gender and sports through this precise portrait of a living legend, telling her story just in time.” —Ben Rothenberg, author of Naomi Osaka
Haven’t decided where to preorder your copy from? I’ll plug my neighborhood spot, Astoria Bookshop, because they’ll ship to you AND they’ll have signed copies. If you’re more of an audiobook person, consider preordering from Libro.fm. Cool news on that front: I’ll be narrating some portions myself! The rest will be recorded by Dani Martineck, who does excellent work.
I took a new day job
At ProPublica! Couldn’t be more stoked about joining their copy desk.
Congrats to a legend
Today is launch day for my best friend on the planet! Congratulations, Jordyn. Check out her debut picture book, Marnie and the Floating Thoughts. It’s a whimsical tale about learning to navigate life with ADHD.
Here’s a photo of my cat soliciting blueberries

More soon! Take care.