Publishers Weekly
01/20/2025
In this winning debut memoir, actor and influencer Mulvaney recounts coming out as trans and navigating the right-wing backlash to her appearance in a 2023 ad campaign for Bud Light. Writing in the easygoing style of a private journal, Mulvaney discusses the pleasures and pitfalls of sharing one’s life online, the lessons she’s learned from weathering public controversy, and the details of what she calls “Beergate.” Chapters alternate between traditional memoir and chatty letters printed on faux stationery, succeeding in Mulvaney’s stated goal of marrying girlishness with gravity. Most affecting are the moments of raw emotion: the author writes of wanting to “cry tears of relief” after receiving a flood of positive comments on her first TikTok about her gender transition in 2022, and of feeling like “a sacrificial lamb” during the Bud Light debacle (“TikTok fattened me up. Big corporate bought me. The media devoured me”). She’s also quite funny, as when she describes an appointment at a laser hair removal clinic decorated with Christian memorabilia as “an hour and a half of zapping my pubes in God’s house.” It adds up to a charming testament to the messy business of getting to know oneself. Illus. Agent: Gabby Fetters, CAA. (Mar.)
Rolling Stone
"The words... are decidedly likable, fizzy, and spill out like they might at a slumber party."
Paris Hilton
Dylan Mulvaney is a total icon, and Paper Doll is pure magic! Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall even more in love with Dylan’s journey through girlhood. I am so proud of her for embracing her truest self, and she is such a huge inspiration to me and millions of others!
From the Publisher
Paper Doll is a love letter to musical theater, faith, and femininity and I believe should be required reading for anyone looking to expand their relationship to the LGBTQ+ community. Dylan finding her spotlight in the darkest of times is a testament that when you commit to finding your light, it is never too late to bloom.”—Kristin Chenoweth
“Paper Doll is a joyful, candid, and powerful piece by the voice of a generation. Dylan’s voice is singular and shines bright in her literary debut.”—Jonathan Van Ness
“Dylan Mulvaney is a total icon, and Paper Doll is pure magic! Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall even more in love with Dylan’s journey through girlhood. I am so proud of her for embracing her truest self, and she is such a huge inspiration to me and millions of others!”—Paris Hilton
“Paper Doll is a heartfelt and delightful medley of candor and comedy from one of the most consequential trans voices of our times.”—Alok Vaid-Menon
“Our singular job is to become who we were meant to be before the world told us who to be. On that journey, Dylan Mulvaney is a wayfinder. She did her one job—and Paper Doll’s humor, wisdom, and endless charm gently help us follow her lead. Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.”—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed
“In Paper Doll, Dylan shares the most candid parts of herself you cannot—and will not—see on TikTok. Whatever you think you know about Dylan Mulvaney, you don’t know this part of her! I tore through this book in two days straight (the only thing straight about it!). Paper Doll is the best kind of memoir: witty, poignant, where you feel so close to the author, as if they wrote it for you and only you.”—James Rose, infamous Dylan Mulvaney doppelgänger (future author of sorry i keep crying during sex)
“Raw, brutally honest, and heartwarming, Paper Doll is a testament to the power of sharing trans stories. Dylan’s vulnerability shines through the pages as she details her relationship with her parents, followers, haters, community, and most importantly, herself. Paper Doll provides a modern lens to womanhood in the twenty-first century, making it a must-read for anyone with a pulse.”—Zachary Zane, author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto
“I was first awed by Dylan as I was scrolling through social media. Their vibrant, energetic personality had me hooked. Upon visiting their page, I was enthralled by their witty way of fighting transphobia. Dylan was bold, funny, and transparent, unafraid to take on the masses that were on attack. What I admired most of all was their ability to respond to transphobia with kindness and education, always remaining their true authentic self. Their confidence in their truth was empowering and refreshing to see in another trans artist. As I got the opportunity to work beside them, I was beyond impressed at their professionalism and fun way of being brave and in charge while welcoming and understanding. Dylan is indeed a voice to be heard, a person to be seen, a true gem to our humanity, and a powerhouse who will aid in creating a more inclusive society.”—Dominique Jackson
"Dylan’s voice and visibility is a ray a light during challenging times for the trans community. This book will undoubtedly empower and inspire many."—Monroe Bergdorf, activist and author of Transitional
"Dylan Mulvaney is an inspiration to me and so many others. In Paper Doll, she powerfully recounts the story of her womanhood with bravery and vulnerability. With raw honesty, Dylan shares her journey in a way that made me laugh, cry, and reflect deeply. Paper Doll is a courageous, funny, and soul-baring debut––an essential read for anyone with a heart."—Joe Locke, star of Heartstopper
"The words... are decidedly likable, fizzy, and spill out like they might at a slumber party."—Rolling Stone
star of Heartstopper Joe Locke
"Dylan Mulvaney is an inspiration to me and so many others. In Paper Doll, she powerfully recounts the story of her womanhood with bravery and vulnerability. With raw honesty, Dylan shares her journey in a way that made me laugh, cry, and reflect deeply. Paper Doll is a courageous, funny, and soul-baring debut––an essential read for anyone with a heart."
Kristin Chenoweth
Paper Doll is a love letter to musical theater, faith, and femininity and I believe should be required reading for anyone looking to expand their relationship to the LGBTQ+ community. Dylan finding her spotlight in the darkest of times is a testament that when you commit to finding your light, it is never too late to bloom.
activist and author of Transitional Monroe Bergdorf
"Dylan’s voice and visibility is a ray a light during challenging times for the trans community. This book will undoubtedly empower and inspire many."
Dominique Jackson
I was first awed by Dylan as I was scrolling through social media. Their vibrant, energetic personality had me hooked. Upon visiting their page, I was enthralled by their witty way of fighting transphobia. Dylan was bold, funny, and transparent, unafraid to take on the masses that were on attack. What I admired most of all was their ability to respond to transphobia with kindness and education, always remaining their true authentic self. Their confidence in their truth was empowering and refreshing to see in another trans artist. As I got the opportunity to work beside them, I was beyond impressed at their professionalism and fun way of being brave and in charge while welcoming and understanding. Dylan is indeed a voice to be heard, a person to be seen, a true gem to our humanity, and a powerhouse who will aid in creating a more inclusive society.
Alok Vaid-Menon
Paper Doll is a heartfelt and delightful medley of candor and comedy from one of the most consequential trans voices of our times.
author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto Zachary Zane
Raw, brutally honest, and heartwarming, Paper Doll is a testament to the power of sharing trans stories. Dylan’s vulnerability shines through the pages as she details her relationship with her parents, followers, haters, community, and most importantly, herself. Paper Doll provides a modern lens to womanhood in the twenty-first century, making it a must-read for anyone with a pulse.
Jonathan Van Ness
Paper Doll is a joyful, candid, and powerful piece by the voice of a generation. Dylan’s voice is singular and shines bright in her literary debut.
Glennon Doyle
Our singular job is to become who we were meant to be before the world told us who to be. On that journey, Dylan Mulvaney is a wayfinder. She did her one job—and Paper Doll’s humor, wisdom, and endless charm gently help us follow her lead. Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.
infamous Dylan Mulvaney doppelgänger (future James Rose
In Paper Doll, Dylan shares the most candid parts of herself you cannot—and will not—see on TikTok. Whatever you think you know about Dylan Mulvaney, you don’t know this part of her! I tore through this book in two days straight (the only thing straight about it!). Paper Doll is the best kind of memoir: witty, poignant, where you feel so close to the author, as if they wrote it for you and only you.
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed Glennon Doyle
Our singular job is to become who we were meant to be before the world told us who to be. On that journey, Dylan Mulvaney is a wayfinder. She did her one job—and Paper Doll’s humor, wisdom, and endless charm gently help us follow her lead. Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.
