Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer

by Dylan Mulvaney

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Honest, hilarious and full of heart, this genuine account of a fascinating life is great for fans and newcomers alike.

"Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.” —Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed

Actress and content creator Dylan Mulvaney’s honest account of her journey through girlhood

When Dylan Mulvaney came out as a woman online, she was a viral sensation almost overnight, emerging as a trailblazing voice on social media. Dylan’s personal coming-out story blossomed into a platform for advocacy and empowerment for trans people all over the world.

Through her “Days of Girlhood” series, she connected with followers by exploring what it means to be a girl, from experimenting with makeup to story times to spilling the tea about laser hair removal, while never shying away from discussing the transphobia she faced online. Nevertheless, she was determined to be a beacon of positivity.

But shortly after she celebrated day 365 of being a girl, it all came screeching to a halt when an innocuous post sparked a media firestorm and right-wing backlash she couldn’t have expected. Despite the vitriolic press and relentless paparazzi, Dylan was determined to remain loud and proud.

In Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, Dylan pulls back the curtain of her “It Girl” lifestyle with a witty and intimate reflection of her life pre- and post-transition. She covers everything from her first big break in theater to the first time her dad recognized her as a girl to how she handled scandals, cancellations, and . . . tucking. It’s both laugh-out-loud funny and powerfully honest—and is a love letter to everyone who stands up for queer joy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419770395
Publisher:	Abrams Image
Publication date:	03/11/2025
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	89,861
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dylan Mulvaney (she/they) is a trans actress, comic, and creator of the viral TikTok series Days of Girlhood, which received over 1 billion views across all platforms. For her Day 365 live show, Mulvaney partnered with the Trevor Project to raise nearly $200,000 for LGBTQ+ youth crisis support. She was crowned 30 under 30 by Forbes, Woman of the Year by Attitude magazine, Out 100, THEM Now Award, a Webby Special Achievement Award, among others. Mulvaney was invited by President Joe Biden to speak at the White House about trans rights. Pre-pandemic, Dylan attended the Cinncinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and played Elder White in the Book of Mormon Broadway musical. She now lives in LA, where she works to bring trans stories to the mainstream.

Editorial Reviews

"Dylan’s voice and visibility is a ray a light during challenging times for the trans community. This book will undoubtedly empower and inspire many."

activist and author of Transitional Monroe Bergdorf

Dylan Mulvaney is a total icon, and Paper Doll is pure magic! Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall even more in love with Dylan’s journey through girlhood. I am so proud of her for embracing her truest self, and she is such a huge inspiration to me and millions of others!

Paris Hilton

I was first awed by Dylan as I was scrolling through social media. Their vibrant, energetic personality had me hooked. Upon visiting their page, I was enthralled by their witty way of fighting transphobia. Dylan was bold, funny, and transparent, unafraid to take on the masses that were on attack. What I admired most of all was their ability to respond to transphobia with kindness and education, always remaining their true authentic self. Their confidence in their truth was empowering and refreshing to see in another trans artist. As I got the opportunity to work beside them, I was beyond impressed at their professionalism and fun way of being brave and in charge while welcoming and understanding. Dylan is indeed a voice to be heard, a person to be seen, a true gem to our humanity, and a powerhouse who will aid in creating a more inclusive society.

Dominique Jackson

Raw, brutally honest, and heartwarming, Paper Doll is a testament to the power of sharing trans stories. Dylan’s vulnerability shines through the pages as she details her relationship with her parents, followers, haters, community, and most importantly, herself. Paper Doll provides a modern lens to womanhood in the twenty-first century, making it a must-read for anyone with a pulse.

author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto Zachary Zane

Paper Doll is a heartfelt and delightful medley of candor and comedy from one of the most consequential trans voices of our times.

Alok Vaid-Menon

Paper Doll is a joyful, candid, and powerful piece by the voice of a generation. Dylan’s voice is singular and shines bright in her literary debut.

Jonathan Van Ness

Our singular job is to become who we were meant to be before the world told us who to be. On that journey, Dylan Mulvaney is a wayfinder. She did her one job—and Paper Doll’s humor, wisdom, and endless charm gently help us follow her lead. Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed Glennon Doyle

In Paper Doll, Dylan shares the most candid parts of herself you cannot—and will not—see on TikTok. Whatever you think you know about Dylan Mulvaney, you don’t know this part of her! I tore through this book in two days straight (the only thing straight about it!). Paper Doll is the best kind of memoir: witty, poignant, where you feel so close to the author, as if they wrote it for you and only you.

infamous Dylan Mulvaney doppelgänger (future James Rose

"Dylan Mulvaney is an inspiration to me and so many others. In Paper Doll, she powerfully recounts the story of her womanhood with bravery and vulnerability. With raw honesty, Dylan shares her journey in a way that made me laugh, cry, and reflect deeply. Paper Doll is a courageous, funny, and soul-baring debut––an essential read for anyone with a heart."

star of Heartstopper Joe Locke

Paper Doll is a love letter to musical theater, faith, and femininity and I believe should be required reading for anyone looking to expand their relationship to the LGBTQ+ community. Dylan finding her spotlight in the darkest of times is a testament that when you commit to finding your light, it is never too late to bloom.

Kristin Chenoweth