Sassafras Patterdale

Sassafras’ books and writing have been honored by organizations ranging from the American Library Association  and the Lambda Literary Foundation, to  the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers Association and the Leather Association International awards. Sassafras is the 2013 winner of the Lambda Literary Emerging Writer Award and ze  holds an MFA from Goddard College in Fiction with a focus on LGBTQ+ fairytales. Sassafras has taught creative writing at LitReactor and the NYC Center For Fiction, is a two-time AWP Writer to Writer Mentor, and provides writing coaching to private clients.

Sassafras is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer  – Knowledge Assessed  (CPDT-KA), Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), and American Kennel Club Trick Title Evaluator and FIT DOG Instructor  Sassafras is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and The Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Through their trick dog coaching and multi-media education (Introvert Circus, LLC) they have  supported hundreds dog/handler teams around the world achieve Trick Dog Titles. Sassafras’ dog Sirius was the #1 Newfoundland in the American Kennel Club National Trick Dog Competition four times, and their puppy Rodeo is the #1 American Hairless Terrier in the competition in 2025.

Sassafras has toured widely, giving readings, workshops, and keynotes at colleges, conferences, bookstores, festivals, and squats from Atlanta to Berlin to Toronto to NYC, Oakland and Amsterdam on topics ranging from Trick Dog Training to the epidemic of LGBTQ Youth Homelessness and Queer Fiction.  Sassafras is a full-time freelance writer and hir work on dog training and behavior has appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, Apartment Therapy.  They write regularly for leading dog publications including The American Kennel Club, Dogster Magazine.  Sassafras has appeared on PBS Books, AKC TV and BBC radio.

Sassafras maintains an active Patreon where they share new queer fiction, lifestyle videos and multimedia art.

Awards

For writing, dog training, or both!

Dog Writers Association of America (Online Article Behavior/Training- 2022 WINNER Maxwell Medallion 

Dog Writers Association of America (Training/Sports book) –  Finalist 

Cat Writers Association – Muse Medalion (Magazine Training Article) 2021 WINNER

Dog Writers Association of America (Newspaper Articles Behavior or Training) 2021 Finalist 

Dog Writers Association of America (Newspaper Articles Health & General Care) 2021 Finalist 

Dog Writers Association of America (Tricks In The City) – 2020 Double Finalist -Training/Sports & Fear Free Dog Enrichment

Lambda Literary Award Finalist- Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror (A Little Queermas Carol) – 2017

BarkTANK Finalist – 2016

Lambda Literary Award Finalist – Transgender Fiction (Lost Boi) – 2016

American Library Association Top LGBT Books for Adults (Lost Boi- 2016

International Leather Association- Writing Award Finalist (Lost Boi) – 2016

Rainbow Award Honorable Mention (Lost Boi) – 2015

International Leather Association- Writing Award Honorable Mention (Leather Ever After)- 2014

Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (Leather Ever After)- 2014

Lambda Literary Foundation Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award Winner – 2013

Queer Hero of the Pacific North West – 2013

American Library Association  Rainbow Book List (Roving Pack) – 2012

Rainbow Book Award Transgender Fiction  2nd Place Winner (Roving Pack)  – 2013

Rainbow Award Honorable Mention (Leather Ever After) – 2013

National Leather Association International Writing Award Honorable Mention  (Leather Ever After)- 2014

Top 100 Women. GO Magazine  – 2012

Astraea Foundation Lesbian Writers Fund Honorable Mention – 2011

Lambda Literary Foundation Finalist (Kicked Out) – 2011

American Library Association Top 10 for 2011 Rainbow Project List (Kicked Out) –  2011

American Library Association Top 11 for 2011 Over The Rainbow Book List (Kicked Out)- 2011

Poets & Writers Readings & Workshops Funding – 2010

Birmingham Out Open. SHOUT Festival – 2009

Top 100 Women. GO Magazine – 2009 

Portland Oregon Top Emerging Writer. In Other Words – 2004