“Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One” – A Unique Puzzle Collection Celebrating LGBTQ+ Culture to be Featured at the 2025 ALA Book Fair

Maple Leaf Publishing Canada is thrilled to announce that Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One: Variety Puzzles All With LGBTQ+ Themes and Answers by Kerry Shatzer will be presented at the 2025 American Library Association (ALA) Book Fair, taking place from June 27–30, 2025, at the Philadelphia Convention Center. This first-of-its-kind puzzle book is a must-see for publishers, distributors, librarians, and others in the literary community who seek to add dynamic, inclusive content to their offerings.

Celebrating Diversity and Pride Through Puzzles

Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One is not just a puzzle book—it’s a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. This groundbreaking collection features a variety of puzzles, all centered around LGBTQ+ themes, icons, and historical events. From word searches and mini-crosswords to logic puzzles, visual puzzles, and queer twists on classic challenges, each puzzle provides an opportunity to discover and learn about prominent LGBTQ+ figures, activists, and milestones that have shaped history.

The puzzles highlight a diverse range of LGBTQ+ people—from award-winning actors and athletes to business leaders, activists, scientists, musicians, and more. Solving these puzzles will introduce readers to individuals who have made a significant impact in their fields, including some who may be lesser-known but no less deserving of recognition. Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One is an opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ icons in a fun and engaging way, all while exercising your brain and sharpening your problem-solving skills.

A Puzzle for Every Age, Every Skill Level

Designed for everyone—whether you’re a lifelong puzzle enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to learn more about LGBTQ+ history—Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One offers something for everyone. The book is perfect for readers of all ages, from those just beginning to learn about their LGBTQ+ identity to seasoned community members who are proud of their history.

Puzzle lovers will enjoy the wide variety of challenges, which include:

• Word Search Puzzles: Find LGBTQ+ people, events, and groups that have shaped history.
  
• Six-Packs: Mini crosswords that introduce a unique twist on classic crossword puzzles.
  
• QueerDoku: A Sudoku variant that uses letters instead of numbers to create a more inclusive, LGBTQ+ version of the popular logic game.
  
• Namedropping: A fun variation of the classic quotefalls puzzle, where players uncover quotes and their authors.
  
• Patchwords: A visual puzzle similar to a Jumble, using clip art to suggest the answer.
  
• Invisible Mazes: A unique maze experience where some of the walls are invisible, adding an extra layer of challenge.
  
• Queer Qamp and Lesbian Speed Dating: Cleverly re-imagined versions of classic logic puzzles, now with a queer twist.
  

Each puzzle in this collection not only challenges the mind but also encourages the solver to explore the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. The puzzles are designed to be fun, educational, and inclusive, making them a perfect addition to any library, classroom, or puzzle enthusiast’s collection.

A Lifetime Passion for Puzzles and LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Kerry Shatzer, the author of Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One, has been a lifelong puzzle enthusiast, and his experience making puzzles spans decades. From the early days of the internet, where he created Web Word Search Plus, one of the first online collections of printable word searches and mazes, to his contributions to LGBTQ+ publications like The Vital Voice and Slam! Magazine in the 1990s, Kerry has long been dedicated to creating engaging content for puzzle lovers.

His commitment to inclusivity and LGBTQ+ visibility is evident in his work, and Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One is the culmination of years of experience. After noticing a lack of LGBTQ+-themed puzzle books, Kerry set out to create a collection that would fill that gap. His previous work includes Diversions: Word Searches Volume One, a self-published puzzle book, but Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One is his most ambitious project to date.

Kerry’s hope is that his puzzles will bring fun, education, and pride to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, while also introducing a wider audience to the often-overlooked accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals. By using puzzles to educate and celebrate, Kerry has created a resource that’s as enjoyable as it is informative.

Perfect for Publishers, Distributors, and Libraries

With its diverse range of puzzles, positive message of inclusion, and strong LGBTQ+ themes, Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One is poised to become an essential resource for puzzle fans and educators alike. It’s a wonderful addition to any library, classroom, or personal bookshelf, offering both entertainment and education.

Publishers and distributors attending the 2025 ALA Book Fair will find this book to be an excellent addition to their catalog, offering a fresh and engaging way to celebrate LGBTQ+ history and pride. Whether you’re seeking new puzzle books or looking for ways to incorporate diversity into your offerings, Queer Pride Puzzles Volume One is sure to appeal to both puzzle enthusiasts and LGBTQ+ advocates.

For more information about the book, opportunities for consignment or acquisitions, or to schedule media interviews, please contact Kerry Shatzer through Maple Leaf Publishing at info@mapleleafpublishinginc.com.

Contact Information

Maple Leaf Publishing Inc.

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