Valerie Taylor (novelist)

Valerie Taylor (born November 6, 1913, Illinois – died December 19, 1997, Tucson, Arizona) was an American writer, best known for her lesbian pulp fiction novels published in the 1950s and 1960s. While these novels were often published by and marketed towards a readership seeking sensational or titillating content, Taylor's work is notable for its generally positive and nuanced portrayals of lesbian relationships.

Taylor's novels often explored themes of identity, societal acceptance, and the challenges faced by lesbians in a time when homosexuality was heavily stigmatized. Unlike many pulp novels of the era which often ended tragically for lesbian characters, Taylor's frequently featured hopeful or at least ambiguous resolutions. This contributed to her popularity and made her a significant figure in lesbian literature, offering a counterpoint to more negative depictions.

Her best-known works include Whisper Their Love (1957), The Girls in 3-B (1959), Stranger on Lesbos (1960), A World Without Men (1963), Journey to Harmony (1964), and Love Image (1965). After the initial wave of pulp popularity subsided, Taylor continued writing and publishing, though she found less commercial success. In the late 20th century and early 21st century, there has been renewed interest in her work from feminist and queer literary scholars, who recognize her contribution to lesbian representation in popular literature.