Sven Davisson Inducted into 2025 Saints+Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival Hall of Fame
New Orleans, LA – March 30, 2025 – Author and publisher Sven Davisson has been named one of the distinguished inductees in the 2025 class of the Saints+Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival Hall of Fame. The festival is a celebration of queer voices in literature that brings together writers from around the world. The fest’s Hall of Fame recognizes groundbreaking contributions to the LGBTQ+ literary community, and Davisson’s induction underscores his significant impact on both the literary and publishing worlds.
Davisson, whose work spans multiple genres and includes fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction, has garnered a dedicated following for his thought-provoking storytelling and exploration of LGBTQ+ themes. As a publisher, he has also been a driving force behind the promotion of diverse voices through his publishing company, Rebel Satori Press, which focuses on amplifying queer narratives and fostering an inclusive literary landscape.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Saints+Sinners festival,” Davisson shared in a statement. “This event is a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ literary culture, and I’m thrilled to join such an inspiring group of writers, readers, and activists. It’s a privilege to contribute to the ongoing conversation and evolution of queer literature.”
The Saints+Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival, which takes place annually in New Orleans, is renowned for its inclusive celebration of LGBTQ+ authors, poets, and playwrights. The festival’s activities include readings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events that bring together literary luminaries and emerging voices alike. It serves as a vital platform for promoting visibility and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ literary community.
Davisson’s work, which often delves into the intersections of history, identity, and sexuality, has been lauded for its attempt to reclaim folklore and re-evoke it as a living tradition. His publishing house has similarly earned recognition for its commitment to representing marginalized voices, helping to shape the future of LGBTQ+ literature.
Davisson joined fellow inductees: civil rights activist Larry Bagneris, author of the memoir Call Me Larry, and Donna Minkowitz, author of Donnaville, for the ceremony at the festival’s closing party.
Paul Cardamone, author and co-curator of the Library of Homosexual Congress, Rebel Satori’s legacy imprint, said during his induction speech, “Rebel Satori Press has published provocative works for nearly a quarter of a century. An author and poet in his own right, with the press, Sven champions other artists -but I want to give recognition to his mother, Muriel,” indicating Dr. Muriel T. Davisson in the audience. “So many queer people shine in spite of their families that to meet and know someone who shines because of their family, and that includes his talented husband, Nathaniel, is a wonderful thing. Thank you all for sharing that light with us.”
Cardmone closed his remarks by reading a selection from Davisson’s new release Puck You! Walking the Crooked Path of Queer Resistance:
In the witches’s eyes, the priests performing these arcane rituals possess throats resembling deep, shadowy tunnels. Their mouths serve as gates to uncharted passages that delve into the primordial depths of existence. At the very heart of this mystical journey into the unspeakably wicked deep lies the old ones, the ancient guardians of the all-powerful wand cloaked in secrets and shadows. Surrounding them, the elder gods stand in their magnificent grandeur, patrons of gold and fire. Their presence is a testament to the divine and the profane. Within this sacred space, fumigated with an incense of sweat and the acrid chemical smell of poppers, lie the keys to enlightenment, waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to seek them.
In an era reminiscent of the time before history was etched into stone, our temple becomes wherever we are, a fluid sanctuary shaped by our experiences and emotions. We find our kindred spirits in the sultry shadows of New Orleans, gathering upstairs at the Phoenix, the Eagle a place alive with whispers of the past and echoes of the present. Here, we embrace the dark, united as priests of a fraternal order born from the primordial abyss. Ours is an ancient cultus, instinctually drawn together, devoted to worshipping at the fountain of the white elixir that flows from our very souls.
Each ritual we perform, each word we chant, binds us further to the mysteries we seek to unlock. We become conduits of ancient knowledge, channeling the energy of the ancient races as we delve deeper into the entwined realms of the seen and unseen. It is in this nexus of darkness and light that we unearth our true purpose—an awakening to the profound truths hidden within the fabric of existence. We are not merely seekers; we are the torchbearers of eternal wisdom, forging a path into the unfathomable night that awaits us.
In his acceptance speech, Davisson, who has been attending the festival since 2006, recalled moments from past festivals, meeting many wonderful authors, reuniting with long-time friends, and making new: “I remember 2008, standing outside the opening reception at Rip and Marsha’s, mentioning that I would only publish my friends from then on. I must have had a recent difficult experience with a challenging author. Fortunately, I suppose I have made many friends! The press will surpass the 250-title mark this year! Saints+Sinners has been, is, and I hope will continue to be an annual touchpoint and family reunion for many of us.”
This year’s Saints+Sinners Festival was held from March 28 to March 30 in New Orleans. For more information on next year’s event, visit the Saints+Sinners website.
About Sven Davisson
Sven Davisson is a celebrated author, poet, and publisher with a passion for fostering queer voices in literature. His works have earned critical acclaim for their depth and authenticity in exploring themes of identity, love, and belonging. As a publisher, Davisson has been instrumental in promoting LGBTQ+ literature through his press, which remains a champion for diverse and inclusive storytelling.
For more information about Sven Davisson, visit his official website or follow him on social media for updates on his upcoming appearances and publications.
About Saints+Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival
The Saints+Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival is an annual event in New Orleans that celebrates and promotes LGBTQ+ literature. The festival serves as a platform for queer authors, poets, and activists, fostering a space for dialogue, creativity, and community. It has become a vital fixture in the literary world, contributing to the visibility and celebration of LGBTQ+ voices in contemporary literature.