Snow In Summer (memoir)

File:NAIcon.png *You may be looking for the real-world novel.*

***Snow In Summer*** is an in-universe non-fiction autobiographical memoir written by Alexis Peterson. The memoir deals with Alex's upbringing with her adoptive homosexual parents (Josh Hamilton and Greg Winters, as well as her own experiences with coming out of the closet and her relationship with Ariel Reitman.

In earlier editions of the memoir, Peterson explicitly excluded any reference to Jacob Delsin in fear that her romantic and sexual relationship with him would impact her relatability and credibility among readers as a lesbian, however following his death, she included him as the sole acknowledgement on the book's front page.

## Development

Peterson began work on the memoir in late-2012 at the behest of her then-boyfriend Jacob Delsin. Alex, who had become increasingly involved in her community's local LGBT scene had felt that there were a ton of young girls who had shared similar experiences to hers, but that not enough of those stories were being told, leading to many feeling alienated and alone through a very confusing time in their lives.

Alex struggled heavily writing the memoir, trying not to delve into preaching too much about the deep sociological/political factors regarding the treatment of LGBT women in modern society and instead simply present the facts, focusing on the anecdotal nostalgia and warmth of her own coming-of-age romance in an attempt to be relatable and empathize for any reader, especially those in the teen-young adult bracket.

In 2013, after a rough breakup, Alex began a trip down the west coast, leaving Seattle and choosing to hop trains, hitchhike and ride coach buses as opposed to driving, she visited her adoptive parents in Aberdeen for the first time in over two years, recollected memories at the various landmarks in Aurora Creek and eventually made her way down to California, where she visited Ariel's hometown of Oceanside. She used this time traveling to focus on writing in between stops and in motels, hostels, and rented rooms.

Alex finished her first draft in September of that year, sending it off to a publisher with the help of her agent Stacy Harper.

## Release and Accolades

The book was published in April of the following year and quickly rose to the top of the national best-sellers list, becoming a cultural phenomenon and turning Alex into a relative celebrity and LGBT icon overnight. Throughout the next several months, Alex would be hounded and run tired by the book's press tour, holding dozens of interviews and book signings and public Q&A's in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver as well as being invited onto a talk show filming in Los Angeles.

Despite the book's near-universal acclaim, with many praising the book for its authentic down-to-earth presentation of the "modern gay teen experience", it received its fair share of negative reception from many far-right and religious groups, as well as parents who deemed the book as offensive to young readers for "promoting harmful behaviors and pushing political agendas". Indeed, much controversy arose from the memoir for its openness regarding Alex's underage sexual encounters, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse, nevertheless, the book continued to sell phenomenally in YA circles.

## Future

By 2015, the hype surrounding the book had relatively died down and Alex was able to return to her private life relatively undisturbed with the exception of receiving many emails and letters from youth who had personally identified with the novel, as well as still being involved in many local community events and her publisher's continued pressure for Alex to write another book and market off the unprecedented sales of the first. Although hesitant, Alexis began work on a long-dreamt-of mythical nautical-themed sci-fi fiction novel in response, much to their dismay.

Over the next few years, Alex would leave Seattle and use her earnings from the memoir's success to freely travel the United States. Frequently attending LGBT events and hosting book signings and readings to a dwindling audience. In December of 2018, Alex was invited to an LGBT influencer event in Montreal, Quebec, attended by several prominent figures. Peterson would be presented with a lifetime award for her memoir. While staying in town for the New Years' celebration later that evening, Alex would receive a final phone call from Jacob, reunite with former roommate, Jay Sanders, and encounter her lost love, Ariel Reitman. Alex and Ariel would almost immediately reconcile their relationship after nearly twelve years apart. Ariel would admit to having been familiar with the book, but not having read it, or having attempted to contact Alex, in fear that Peterson may have harbored resentment towards her.

Unfortunately, the lovely reunion would be marred by tragedy as news broke the following morning about the 2018 New York City Crisis and the attack on the Stansfield Building coordinated by Jacob and May Lawson, concluding with Jacob's death.

## Sequel

Later in 2019, Alexis would finally pen a follow-up to *Snow In Summer*, entitled "*The Rain of April*" -- in tribute to Delsin and with hopes of clearing up much of the controversy and misinformation that had surrounded him following his death. The memoir not only covered much of Jacob's life and their relationship from her perspective and painting the late Jacob in a sympathetic, tragic and ultimately misunderstood light. However, this memoir also delved further into Alex's own personal life in the years since, addressing her relationship with Ryley Summers, a convicted killer, the death of several of her roommates, as well as her chance meeting and reconnection with her now-wife, Ariel. The book was released in March of 2020 and coincided with the opening of a memorial park constructed by the City of New York in Delsin's honor.