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BANNED



Memoir
Weston Brown


4,000 beta readers. 40 countries. #1 in pre-release on digital stores.




“I couldn’t put it down!”

“The read of the season!”

“Weston brings us
 into his world!”

“It felt like
 we we’re escaping together!”


BANNED is a raw and deeply personal memoir that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and reclaiming identity. Raised in a devout fundamentalist evangelical family steeped in the controversial teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, the author’s upbringing was a labyrinth of unyielding rules, ever-changing theology, and a mission to build a “Christian Army.”

Friendships with the Duggar family and encounters with other IBLP devotees further reinforced a culture of patriarchal control and spiritual perfectionism. Even after escaping one cult-like group, the author found himself ensnared by the promises of a sprawling megachurch, only to discover a world rife with scandal, hypocrisy, and broken trust.

Against this backdrop of conformity, the author grappled with the weight of faith, shame, and suffocating expectations in a world where access to diverse perspectives was restricted, and censorship was a tool for maintaining control. 

The stakes became even higher when he came out, triggering a devastating rejection by his parents and a painful disconnection from his younger siblings. Through the ache of separation and the bittersweet revelations of love, loss, and healing, BANNED explores the tension between loyalty to family and the pursuit of personal freedom. It is a bold statement on the courage it takes to not only claim your identity but also to stand against efforts to erase or silence stories that challenge the status quo.

The narrative is a tapestry of quiet courage, heartbreak, and hard-won resilience, painting a portrait of what it means to leave behind the only life you’ve ever known to embrace the one you were meant to live. With honesty and flashes of humor, the author shares his journey of deconstructing faith, defying expectations, and rediscovering belonging.

A work in progress


Dear reader,
I’m Weston—a queer writer who came of age in a world where doctrine ruled, doubt was punished, and conformity was survival. I write to reclaim what that world tried to silence.

In the spirit of urgency and with the hope of reaching those who need it most I released the early manuscript of BANNED: unedited, unguarded, and wholly mine. Then the unexpected happed.

Even in manuscript form, BANNED rocketed to the top of both Apple and Kindle charts with downloads spanning 40+ contries.

The global response and the momentum affirmed what I felt in my bones: stories like this matter.

Now, I’ve talken the BANNED manuscript offline and into talks with publishers. To every beta reader, donor, and supporter: thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The forthcoming professionally edited version is not just refined—it’s enriched with dozens of new unearthed memories, layered with deeper emotion, refined with more sharper humor, and elevated into something beautifully, fully realized.

Thank you for taking this journey with me.


BANNED is for readers of:



Support


If you’re an editor, agent, or publishing professional who sees the value in stories like this I’d love to connect.
I’m seeking collaborators to help shape and share BANNED as it enters its next chapter. If this is a project of interest please reach out. 

wes@bannedthebook.com

Press


Weston Brown Interview | Fundie FridaysInterview

The LibrariansDocumentary

A Raging Fire - GrapevineNBC


A Mom’s Campaign to Ban Library Books Divided a Texas Town — and Her Own FamilyNBC


When Radicalized Parents Homeschool with Weston BrownKitchen Table Cult


Weston Brown's Story: A Family and School TragedyCouregous Conversations About our Schools

Reach


Since sharing the manuscript, BANNED has found its way into hundreds of cities across more than 40 countries solidifying the idea that even in its early form, this story travels.