A Note About Pronouns in the Eternal Library series

Most of the characters in the Eternal Library series use the English neo-pronoun set e/em/eir(s), as they live in a culture that doesn’t traditionally have a concept of gender—though there are characters from other countries that do.

Neo-pronouns can take some getting used to, it’s true! I encourage you to keep reading even if they feel a little strange or clunky. One of the best ways we can get comfortable with new language is to use it a bunch. Real life people use neo-pronouns, including e/em, which I did not invent. If we can normalize new language like this, it will make the world easier for so many folks!

How to pronounce and use e/em/eir(s):

I saw him walking to the store with his friend. He’s picking up the food he ordered. That box is his.

I saw em walking to the store with eir friend. E’s picking up the food e ordered. That box is eirs.

e – pronounced like the “e” in “he”
em – pronounced like the “em” in “them”
eir(s) – pronounced like the “eir(s)” in “their(s)”

You may see a few other neo-pronoun sets like ze/hir in the book, but they are very rare. Otherwise, sometimes characters use singular they/them for someone whose pronouns they don’t know. Characters with binary genders use she/her and he/him. Please be respectful of a character’s pronouns when writing reviews.

Thank you!

(signed, your nonbinary author who goes by they/them)