“Shampoo Unicorn is the most powerful debut of the year. Lovett’s book is heartfelt, genuine, and raw. An important and ultimately joyful book that will leave readers hopeful and comforted.” –Erin Entrada Kelly, acclaimed Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author of HELLO, UNIVERSE and WE DREAM OF SPACE

Shampoo Unicorn: (noun)

1. A shower hairstyle in which one styles their lathered hair into the fluffiest soapy unicorn horn possible.
2. A podcast by two mysterious hosts exploring rural queer life—the isolation, the microaggressions, the boredom, and occasionally, the sky-shattering joy.


In the small town of Canon, West Virginia, most people care about three things: God, country, and football.

Brian is more into Drag Race, Dolly Parton, and his gig as one of the mystery hosts of his podcast, Shampoo Unicorn.

Greg’s life should be perfect as the town’s super-masc football star, but his secret is he’s just as gay as Brian.

Leslie is a trans girl living in nearby Pennsylvania, searching for reasons to get out of bed every day. Her solace is listening to her favorite podcast. . . .

When a terrible accident occurs, it’s Shampoo Unicorn that brings the three teens’ lives together. And what begins as a search for answers becomes a story of finding connection.

Sawyer Lovett’s powerful and ultimately joyful debut novel is about three teens, one podcast, and carving out a rainbow pocket in an otherwise red state.

Praise for Shampoo Unicorn:

“Heart-wrenching but hopeful, a beautiful story about how finding the courage to use your voice can help heal and build the kind of community necessary for survival amidst hate.”
- Randy Ribay, award-winning and best-selling author of PATRON SAINTS OF NOTHING and EVERYTHING WE NEVER HAD

“Shampoo Unicorn is a fiercely loving ode to queer rural America and the young people who build oases of joyful community in a world that tries to deny them sustenance. This is the sort of book that saves lives.”
- Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of THE SERPENT KING

“A powerful, gorgeous book about three teens, brought together after a horrific accident and the power of human connection. Shampoo Unicorn is an absolutely remarkable debut.”
- Liz Lawson, New York Times best-selling author of THE AGATHAS series & THE LUCKY ONES


“Shampoo Unicorn is one of those books that you know is special from the very first page. (Actually, from the first sentence.) This debut is an absolute gift.”
- Meredith Adamo, author of NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS

"Shampoo Unicorn is a story of queer affirmation, of finding joy in the face of hardship, of shouting your true self to the heavens no matter what anyone thinks. I loved this book. I think you will too."
- Eric Bell, author of ALAN COLE IS NOT A COWARD and ALAN COLE DOESN’T DANCE

"This book is not just for the small town kids who feel isolated in their queerness, but for everyone who has ever felt like they had to dim their own light in order to be accepted."
- Amy Ignatow, author of THE POPULARITY PAPERS and THE MIGHTY ODDS


"Any lgbtqia+ kid (or adult) who ever held on because of the zine that might show up in the mailbox, or because of the voice of their favorite podcast host will find themself in this book, and in the main characters' love for each other.”
- Alex DiFrancesco, author of TRANSMUTATION, ALL CITY, and PSYCHOPOMPS