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Love Rebels

How I Learned to Burn It Down Without Burning Out

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Pub Date Oct 17 2025 | Archive Date Oct 31 2025
Hazel Boydell | Thornapple Press

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Description

An exploration of how to balance activism and relationships without burning out.

Balancing a devotion to activism with personal relationships can be incredibly difficult. Kitty Stryker shares her experience as an activist, street medic and relationship educator to help others pursue the important work while maintaining healthy relationships and without burning out. 

In what is both a call to action and a candid memoir, Stryker is open about what she has learned and her perceived limitations. Recognizing that it can feel overwhelming to know how to effectively make change, she encourages readers to consider how they can best advocate for causes they believe in, presenting different types of activism and urging readers to honestly examine their own hesitations.

She also emphasizes that without taking care of our interpersonal relationships, many people burn out of activism at the very time when we need more people on the ground, and she offers practical strategies to avoid this and to encourage healthy relationships.

An exploration of how to balance activism and relationships without burning out.

Balancing a devotion to activism with personal relationships can be incredibly difficult. Kitty Stryker shares her...


Advance Praise

“Kitty Stryker has done it again. Love Rebels is a deeply personal, heartfelt chronicle of activism in our present age and an indispensable primer on getting involved on all levels: local, national, and online. This inspiring, first-person account of grassroots organizing is desperately needed right now.”—Alex Winter, musician and actor, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

"A lot of us are looking around right now and wondering what to do. We’re asking ourselves: What should I do? How do I avoid accidentally causing harm? How do I avoid burning out? There is no answer to these questions. But there are ways to get started figuring it out for yourself. 

Love Rebels is part-memoir, part handbook for surviving and even thriving in a fascist takeover. It is a book about relationships aimed at the kind of person who is prone to overthinking, overcommitting, going it alone, and burning out. Love Rebels offers practical advice for helping activists live and work productively alongside other humans, despite our flaws and peculiarities. It would be an important book at any time. But today, it’s essential."—Cathy Reisenwitz, Sex and the State

“With the threat of Trumpian fascism mounting by the day, millions of people are looking for ways to become active and fight back. Love Rebels is the place to start. Its seamless blend of memoir, how-to, activist wisdom and poignant self-reflection provide an ideal blend for stimulating the kinds of difficult conversations necessary to construct durable communities of resistance to outlive MAGA.”—Mark Bray, author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook

Love Rebels is packed with practical guidance for those who are new to rebellion or nervous about direct action, as well as those of us who’re exhausted from years of resistance. What makes this book extraordinary, though, is the loving generosity with which Kitty shares her own healing journey—an ongoing quest from burnout to boundaries and balance, with a healthy dose of accountability.”—Jenn Wilson, founder of the International Day of Consent

Love Rebels offers a tender and insightful roadmap for all who are fighting to maintain their humanity while refusing to surrender their people and principles."—Soraya Chemaly, author of The Resilience Myth: New Thinking on Grit, Strength, and Growth after Trauma

“In frightening, exhausting times, experienced community organizer Kitty Stryker is a powerful and grounding voice. This book will teach you how to fight the good fight to the finish without destroying yourself in the process.”—Laurie Penny, journalist, political commentator and author of Sexual Revolution: Modern Fascism and the Feminist Fightback

Love Rebels does exactly what it says on the tin. It demystifies not just activism but accountability and how to handle it when you fall short of the mark.”—Riley Silverman, podcaster at Good Chaotic and head writer of Troubled Waters

“Artfully balancing personal anecdotes with incisive clarity and humor, Kitty Stryker is preparing a new generation of activists and organizers to take up the mantle and create our own ripples of change."—Corrie Locke-Hardy, author of The Revolution Will Be Well Fed

“Getting involved in activism for the first time can feel intimidating; some veteran activists may seem unrelatable and even hostile to rookies. Kitty Stryker is the opposite of that—an activist with deep experience and a generous eagerness to welcome new folks to the good struggle. Now, with this book, everyone can feel like they have a wise older sibling guiding them on their radical journey. You will finish this book, as Stryker says, ‘fertilized by curiosity and warmed by the light of compassion.’”—Dr. Lisa Mueller, author of The New Science of Social Change: A Modern Handbook for Activists

“Kitty Stryker walks the walk. She strives for justice and treats people with compassion and respect in every undertaking that she is part of. I've been fortunate enough to see Kitty's work and the impact she has on those around her. This book is going to move and inspire you!"—Sean Nittner, founder and former steward of Big Bad Con

“Kitty Stryker Strikes Again, as she lays all it out in her new book Love Rebels. She talks us through, talks us down, talks to our hearts, talks to our minds. We listen. We read. We learn. We grow. Thank you Kitty.”—Vermin Supreme, political satirist and author of I Pony: Blueprint for a New America

"Finally, a book that understands the deep connection between personal well-being and collective power. Love Rebels will fortify your fight. Kitty Stryker shows us how fierce love and sustained rebellion are inseparable. A vital guide for anyone building a more just world."—Shane Lukas, activist, podcaster with Power Beyond Pride and author of The Advocate Advantage



“Kitty Stryker has done it again. Love Rebels is a deeply personal, heartfelt chronicle of activism in our present age and an indispensable primer on getting involved on all levels: local, national...


Marketing Plan

Use author’s relationships with consent and activist communities to create buzz.

Target coverage that includes podcasts, print, online, and broadcast outlets interested in activism and relationships. 

Reach out to indie booksellers with focused galley mailings. 

Trade ads.


Key Selling Points

1. Author experience. Kitty Stryker is a dedicated activist and advocate for consent culture. She speaks from real life experiences and is informed by her time on the front lines.

2. Established voice. Kitty’s previous books and her activism have gained her a reputation as an expert voice on consent, relationships and activism.

3. Accessible and candid tone. Love Rebels is honest and open, both in Kitty’s sharing of her own limitations and her encouragement of readers to really examine why they may be shying away from some forms of activism.

Use author’s relationships with consent and activist communities to create buzz.

Target coverage that includes podcasts, print, online, and broadcast outlets interested in activism and relationships. 

...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781990869730
PRICE $24.95 (USD)
PAGES 204

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Featured Reviews

This is a great read for any budding activist. Full of realistic pieces of information, tips, and questions at the end of each chapter, it's clear that Stryker writes this from a place of caring and sharing. As a protest medic, she knows the ins and outs of activism, both the good and the ugly. She also ensures that she takes into account different experiences and perspectives, especially considering she presents as an able-bodied white woman.

Overall, this is well thought out and well paced.

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Book Review: Love Rebels: How I Learned to Burn It Down Without Burning Out by Kitty Stryker

Kitty Stryker’s Love Rebels: How I Learned to Burn It Down Without Burning Out is a thought-provoking and deeply personal exploration of the intersection between activism, relationships, and personal well-being. Stryker, known for her work in consent culture and radical relationships, offers a compelling guide for activists and individuals alike on how to navigate the challenges of committed relationships while maintaining their passion for social change.

Premise & Themes
The book delves into Stryker’s own experiences as an activist and her journey of learning to balance her commitment to social justice with her personal life. She explores themes such as burnout, the complexities of radical relationships, and the importance of self-care in sustaining long-term activism. Stryker argues that by rethinking traditional approaches to relationships and activism, individuals can create more resilient and fulfilling lives.

Strengths & Highlights
-Accessible Writing Style: Stryker’s writing is engaging, relatable, and infused with personal anecdotes that make the book feel like a conversation with a trusted friend.
-Practical Advice: The book is rich with practical strategies for managing the stresses of activism, maintaining healthy relationships, and avoiding burnout.
-Intersectional Perspective: Stryker brings an intersectional lens to her discussion, acknowledging the diverse challenges faced by activists from different backgrounds.
-Inspires Reflection: The book encourages readers to reflect on their own practices and consider new ways of approaching activism and personal relationships.

Areas for Improvement
Some readers might find that certain sections could benefit from more concrete examples or case studies to illustrate the concepts discussed. Additionally, while Stryker’s personal narrative is a strength, some readers may wish for a broader range of perspectives to complement her experiences.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Engagement: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The writing is engaging, personal, and relatable.
-Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Offers valuable, actionable advice for activists and individuals in relationships.
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Brings a fresh perspective to the challenges of balancing activism and personal life.
-Depth of Insight: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Provides thoughtful insights into the complexities of radical relationships.
-Inspirational Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Inspires readers to rethink their approach to activism and relationships.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A compelling and insightful guide that will resonate with activists and anyone interested in radical relationships.

Perfect For:
-Activists looking to balance their commitment to social justice with personal well-being.
-Individuals in non-traditional or radical relationships seeking guidance.
-Readers interested in discussions around consent culture and personal growth.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Kitty Stryker for providing an advance review copy of Love Rebels: How I Learned to Burn It Down Without Burning Out in exchange for an honest review.

Final Thought: Love Rebels is a timely and necessary book that challenges readers to rethink the ways in which they engage with activism and personal relationships. Stryker’s work is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about how to live a meaningful, committed, and sustainable life as a change-maker.

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