Victoria Noe

Thanks for joining me here. I’m Victoria Noe. I came to writing rather late in life. In fact, it’s my fourth career.

I moved to Chicago in 1977 after grad school to work in the vibrant Off-Loop theatre movement as a director, stage manager and administrator. By the mid 1980s, I’d segued into fundraising, writing grants and creating special events for arts, social service and AIDS organizations.

In the spring of 2006, I was deep into my third career as an educational sales rep to Chicago Public Schools, a business that allowed me the flexibility I needed after our daughter was born in 1994. At a coffeehouse around the corner from her school, over our usual green teas, I told my friend Delle Chatman that I had an idea for a book: stories of people who were grieving the death of a friend. As always she was supportive and enthusiastic, despite the fact that I’d never written a book before. She was also in remission from ovarian cancer. Six months after that conversation, she died.

It took a while to keep my promise. Now and then I’d hear her voice: “You wouldn’t have to worry about that if you’d write the damn book.” After a few false starts, I finally got serious in 2009, after a concussion ended my sales career. It was a steep learning curve, but I loved interviewing people who wanted nothing more than to honor friends whose lives impacted their own. I broke up the book into a series of six small ones, which became the Friend Grief series. At the time the first ones were published in 2013, there was little written about this kind of grief. The response was gratifying, and I assumed when the series finished that my writing career would be over. I was wrong.

I ran into Tracy Baim, publisher of Windy City Times, Chicago’s weekly LGBT paper, in the summer of 2011. To honor the 30th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic, she was running weekly essays from people in the community. She asked me to write one, too, about my experiences in the late 1980s-early 1990s. I was skeptical about whether I would even remember much; I’d burned out in 1994 when our daughter was born. But again, I was wrong. As soon as I sat down at the computer, the memories surged along with the emotions: loss, frustration, rage. That’s when I knew one of the books in the series would be about friends lost to AIDS.

That book brought me back to the AIDS community, not as a fundraiser this time, but a writer and activist.  I soon found myself joining ACT UP/NY and participating in actions. My essay, “Long Term Survivor”, about those of us who lived through the dark, early days of the epidemic, won the 2015 Christopher Hewitt Award. I began writing and speaking about the emotional challenges faced by long-term survivors. But I still believed my writing career was winding down.

After listening to a panel presentation by the women of ACT UP/NY in 2015, I realized that the extensive literature of the AIDS epidemic ignored the accomplishments of women. And though some have acknowledged the critical involvement of lesbians, especially in the early years, none had focused on straight women. So, I went back to work.

In 2019, Fag Hags, Divas and Moms: The Legacy of Straight Women in the AIDS Community gave long-overdue recognition to women around the world who have changed the course of hte epidemic, largely in obscurity. Like my other books, it was built on a solid base of personal interviews and archival research. And it forced me to tell my own story, too. It has been one of the great joys of my life to introduce these women to the world. Look for a second edition in September, 2025!

In late 2020, I started on a new book. I thought it would be a reworking and updating of the Friend Grief series, adding a few stories about COVID. But it evolved into a book just about people grieving friends lost during - but not only as a result of - COVID. What Our Friends Left Behind: Grief and Laughter in a Pandemic was released in September, 2023.

What's next? Unstoppable: Straight Women on the AIDS Frontlines - coming in September, 2025!

In addition to ACT UP/NY, I’m a member of Alliance of Independent Authors and Chicago Writers Association.

As I said, this is my fourth career. Will there be a fifth? Will I write more books? Or both? If you’re curious, join my Patreon group for all the latest on what I'm doing. If you prefer, sign up for my mailing list or follow me on Facebook or Bluesky. I promise whatever it is, it won’t be boring.

Thanks again for joining me here!



 

Upcoming Appearances/Events

Date Venue Address
Date: June 7, 2025
10:00am - 3:00pm
Venue: The Novel Book Fair Address: 310 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
Notes: Join me and other great Chicago authors to stock up for summer reading!
Date: September 6, 2025
10:00am - 5:00pm
Venue: US Conference on HIV/AIDS Address:
Washington, DC
Notes: Book launch for my next book! Details TBA!
Date: September 14, 2025
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Venue: Bureau of General Services Queer Division Address: LGBT Center - 208 W. 13th St.
New York, NY
Notes: Book launch! Join me for a lively conversation with Krishna Stone of GMHC! There will be food, too!

Recent Appearances/Events

Date Venue Address
Date: May 5, 2025
9:00am - 3:00pm
Venue: 2025 Women as the Face of AIDS 20th Anniversary Summit Address:
New York, NY
Notes: Krishna Stone from GMHC and I are presenting a workshop "'Hidden Figures': The Work of Straight Women in the HIV and AIDS Epidemic" at the 20th Anniversary Iris House Summit.
Date: September 7, 2024
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Venue: Printers Row Lit Fest Address: Chicago Writers Association tent
Chicago, IL
Notes: Join me at the Midwest's largest free outdoor lit fest! All of my books will be available for purchase at special Lit Fest prices!
Date: August 24, 2024
10:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: Local Author Fair - Elmhurst Public Library Address: 125 S. Prospect Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Notes: Join me and a lot of other great local authors for the Elmhurst Public Library Author Fair!
Date: June 23, 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Venue: Chicago Women's History Center Address: 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 403
Chicago, IL
Notes: Join me for the first author event hosted by Chicago Women's History Center: a panel discussion on Chicago Women Writing about HIV/AIDS with Rae Lewis-Thornton and Rosa E. Martinez-Colon.
Date: January 10, 2024
2:30pm CT - 3:30pm CT
Venue: Grief Let's Talk About It Podcast Address:
Notes: Talking about friend grief on Tony Lynch's Podcast. Watch on Streamyard with recording to follow.
Date: November 12, 2023
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Venue: The Lit Studio Address: 3726 W. Montrose Ave.
Chicago, IL
Notes: Join me for my Chicago book launch, in conversation with Linda Bubon, co-founder of Women & Children First bookstore! Please RSVP:https://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/site-event-what-our-friends-left-behind-victoria-noe
Date: October 22, 2023
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Venue: Bureau of General Services - Queer Division Address: 208 W. 13th St.
New York, NY
Notes: Join me at the Bureau of General Services - Queer Division in the LGBT Center a book signing of What Our Friends Left Behind and a discussion of the impact of COVID on HIV/AIDS long-term survivors. I'll be joined by Charles Sanchez and all are welcome!
Date: October 14, 2023
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Venue: Write Women Book Fest Author Expo Address: Comfort Inn Conf. Ctr., 4500 Crain Hwy.
Bowie, MD
Notes: Come join me and dozens of amazing women writers at the Author Expo for a book signing and lots of swag! Discounted tickets when you use CODE: NEWSFLO2023 Tickets here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-write-women-book-fest-author-expo-reader-event-tickets-572092844097
Date: September 30, 2023
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Venue: IWPA Fall Writer's Workshop - Oak Park Library (Maze branch) Address: 845 Gunderson Ave.I'l
Oak Park, IL
Notes: Join me for the Illinois Women's Press Association Fall Writers Workshop. Presentations and networking for authors at any career level. I'll be one of the authors doing a reading from my new book. And it's free!
Date: September 24, 2023
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Venue: Nerinx Hall Address:
Webster Groves, MO
Notes: This is a private event
Date: September 9, 2023
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Venue: Printers Row Lit Fest Address: Chicago Writers Association tent
Chicago, IL
Notes: I'll be signing all my books in the CWA tent at Printers Row. More info at printersrowlitfest.org!
Date: April 30, 2023
9:00pm ET -
Venue: Friend Grief with Martie McNabb Address:
Notes: Martie McNabb and I are once again leading a virtual gathering for the Global Grief Conference to discuss friend grief during COVID.
Date: April 11, 2023
12:00am -
Venue: Friend Grief Discussion Address:
Notes: Interview on Kathy Gleason's "As I Live and Grieve" podcast, where we discuss the challenges of grieving friends during a pandemic.
Date: January 18, 2023
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Venue: What Our Friends Left Behind Address:
Notes: Join me and Martie McNabb for a virtual show and tell about our friends who died during COVID. Central time.
Date: November 16, 2022
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Venue: "What Our Friends Left Behind" Address: Virtual
Notes: Have you lost a friend during COVID? Join us to share stories about the friendships that shaped our lives, and how the pandemic complicated our grief. RSVP's strongly encouraged.
Date: November 12, 2022
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Venue: Schaumburg Township District Library Author Fair Address: 130 S. Roselle Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Notes: Join us for Schaumburg Library's annual local author fair!
Date: November 5, 2022
10:00am - 1:00pm
Venue: Sterling Public Library Author Fair Address: 102 W. 3rd St.
Sterling, IL 61081
Notes: Join us for Sterling's annual author fair!
Date: September 11, 2022
10:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: Printers Row Lit Fest Address: Printers Row
Chicago, IL
Notes: Join me in the Chicago Writers Association tent! I'll have all my books for sale.
Date: July 23, 2022
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Venue: Buddy Shop Address: Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago, IL
Notes: "Chicago Women Writing about HIV/AIDS" discussion
Date: April 29, 2022
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Venue: Let's Reimagine/Global Grief Conference Address:
Notes: Join me and Marti McNabb for a free Show & Tale: Passed & Present about losing friends/family during COVID. RSVP is required.Time listed is CDT
Date: January 5, 2022
TBA -
Venue: World AIDS Museum and Educational Center Address:
Notes: Spotlight Interview
Date: December 1, 2021
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Show & Tale: HIV & AIDS Address:
Notes: Time listed is Central Time
Date: November 15, 2021
11:15am - 11:30am
Venue: Write a Book - Learn the NEW Way to Grow Your Business and Gain More Customers! Address:
London
Notes: Time listed for my presentation is Central Time
Date: September 12, 2021
10:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: Printers Row Lit Fest Address: Printers Row
Chicago, IL
Notes: I'll be in the Chicago Writers Association tent with all my books. Join us!
Date: September 12, 2021
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Printers Row Lit Fest Address: Printers Row
Chicago, IL
Notes: "What We Learned in Our First Pandemic: Chicago Women Writing about AIDS" - Panel discussion with Tracy Baim, Rae Lewis-Thornton, and Heidi Stevens
Date: July 27, 2021
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Let's Reimagine Address:
Notes: "Grieving Friends During COVID" is a virtual conversation led by myself and Martie McNabb for anyone who has lost a friend during the pandemic.
Date: July 24, 2021
11:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Bishop Hill Author Fair Address:
Bishop Hill, IL
Notes:
Date: July 10, 2021
10:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Beachside Authorfest Address: 918 W. Main St.
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Notes: Virtual appearance only
Date: June 3, 2021
TBD - TBD
Venue: Write More Light podcast Address:
Notes:
Date: April 17, 2021
12:00pm - 1:30pm PT
Venue: "Reconnect!" Honoring Our Experience Zoom Gathering Address:
Notes: Presentation on HIV long-term survivors and COVID
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