Tom Rasmussen | United Agents

Books

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Tom is an author, journalist, screenwriter, drag queen and more. Growing up in Lancashire and moving to London to write, Tom's memoir DIARY OF A DRAG QUEEN has been published in the UK (Ebury) and US (FSG) to a rave New Yorker review, and Tom is currently adapting it for television with Wildcard Films. Tom brought the pages of their memoir to life in their solo drag show CRYSTAL RASMUSSEN PRESENTS THE BIBLE 2 (PLUS A CURE FOR SHAME, VIOLENCE, BETRAYAL AND ATHLETE'S FOOT), which ran at the Fringe Festival and Soho Theatre, becoming one of the top twenty best reviewed shows of the Fringe 2019. Their second book FIRST COMES LOVE – ‘A fascinating interrogation’ (Grazia) of marriage as an institution - was published by Bloomsbury in 2021. Crystal Rasmussen hosts a hit Comedy Central online series DRAGONY AUNTS, and has starred in the ever iconic Eastenders. As well as developing other television series with Pulse Films, South Of The River, BBC Studios and Kudos, Tom's also a Contributing Features Editor at i-D, Contributing Editor at LOVE Magazine, Contributing Editor at Vogue US, and contributor to the Guardian, the Independent and GAY TIMES.

Current publication:

FIRST COMES LOVE - Bloomsbury - July 8th 2021

Tom Rasmussen finds themselves straddling two camps, that of their Northern, working class family for whom marriage is the centrepiece of life, and as a male-bodied, non-binary queer in a relationship with a man.

Through journeys to wildly different weddings ranging from the most traditional to the unrecognizably unorthodox, visits to wedding planners, interviews of the much-married, those who have questioned their decision to marry over lockdown, or those who would never consider matrimony, these incisive witty and often moving essays look at marriage as an achievement, a compromise, a selling-out, and a practical solution. They examine what marriage means, along the whole spectrum of sexuality, for the working class, the middle class, the upper class and what the future looks like for marriage, the most historic and universal of institutions.

Can Tom have the wedding of their dreams in a white Vera Wang dress while their family dabs at their eyes around them - or is it appropriate to reject this heteronormative ritual? Is there a way to reconcile the two without letting either down? And moreover, can any of us with any sense, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, justify it? What is marriage good for - and if the answer is absolutely nothing, why are still so obsessed with it?

Praise

'Bitingly funny, infectiously inquisitive and ferociously sharp. Adored'!― Attitude

'Tom Rasmussen is a smart and accomplished storyteller ... Anyone - queer or straight - who's considering marriage, or for that matter anyone who's deeply in love should read this unputdownable book' -- Kate Bornstein

'I absolutely loved this book. A fascinating, funny and ultimately moving exploration of marriage in the 21st century, voiced flawlessly - each interjection more perfect that the last' -- Evie Wyld

'I love Tom Rasmussen and adore their writing' -- Travis Albanza

'A fascinating interrogation'― Grazia

'An incisive, witty and moving look at marriage - as an achievement, a compromise, a selling-out, a practical solution'― Refinery29

'An interrogation and an investigation ... A deeply funny and optimistic read' -- Juno Roche

'An incisive, compassionate probing of the pleasures and pitfalls of marriage ... A deft deconstruction of normativity today'―Dazed

Praise for DIARY OF A DRAG QUEEN - Ebury Press / Farr, Straus & Giroux - 2019 / 2020

“Diary Of A Drag Queen Is A Heartfelt Memoir Of Queerness and Non-Conformity” - British Vogue 

"gloriously outrageous... Soul-baring, shamelessly explicit, and wickedly funny, Rasmussen's relentlessly entertaining book gets beneath the glitter and drama of drag to reveal how a practice often dismissed as misogynistic can serve as a kind of salvation for many nonbinary people... A sharp-eyed and hilarious memoir." - Kirkus

"The book on everyone's desk at Glamour HQ right now ... hilarious... [It is] a unique portrayal of the queer experience and we're so here for it." - Glamour

"It’s about late nights, breakups, it’s about sex, love, violence, pain, and the euphoria only people who’ve ever been on the outside come to feel when they finally discover what’s inside — both in a community and in themselves... real, hilarious [and] deeply moving." - LOVE Magazine

"[M]oments of heart-stopping poignancy... truthful, revealing and obscenely hilarious... Strident and unapologetic but really sweet, too." - Attitude

"[A] riotous portrayal of the contemporary queer experience." - Dazed

"Everyone is going to die, it’s so funny, warm, loving, beautifully written. A complete page-turner... A proud voice for the non-binary community." - Gay Times

"Love, LOVE this book. It is so human and sweet and SO RUDE" - Marina and the Diamonds

"Hilarious, deeply moving, uplifting, daring, and unflinchingly honest" - Amrou Al-Kadhi

Non-Fiction

Publication Details	Notes
Diary of a Drag Queen 2019 Ebury Press	Northern, working-class and shagging men three times her age, Crystal writes candidly about her search for ‘the one’; sleeping with a VIP in an attempt to become a world famous journalist; getting hired and fired by a well-known fashion magazine; being torn between losing weight and gorging on KFC; and her need for constant sexual satisfaction (and where that takes her). Charting her day-to-day adventures over the course of a year, we encounter tucks, twists and sucks, heinous overspending and endless nights spent sprinting from problem to problem in a full face of make-up. This is a place where the previously unspeakable becomes the commendable – a unique portrayal of the queer experience.

Publication Details

Notes

Diary of a Drag Queen

2019

Ebury Press

Northern, working-class and shagging men three times her age, Crystal writes candidly about her search for ‘the one’; sleeping with a VIP in an attempt to become a world famous journalist; getting hired and fired by a well-known fashion magazine; being torn between losing weight and gorging on KFC; and her need for constant sexual satisfaction (and where that takes her).

Charting her day-to-day adventures over the course of a year, we encounter tucks, twists and sucks, heinous overspending and endless nights spent sprinting from problem to problem in a full face of make-up.

This is a place where the previously unspeakable becomes the commendable – a unique portrayal of the queer experience.

Film, TV & Theatre

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Tom Rasmussen is a writer and musician from Lancaster. Their first two books — Diary of a Drag Queen (Ebury and FSG), First Comes Love (Bloomsbury) — were both critical successes. They contribute regularly to the Guardian, the Observer, the Independent, Dazed&Confused, and i-D. They are a columnist at American Vogue, where they write about sex and relationships. Their debut musical, for which they have co-composed the music and lyrics, based on David Nicholls’ Starter For Ten, is far into development. Tom is currently working on a series for South of the River Pictures, as well as adapting their second book for screen with STV.

Tom Rasmussen’s debut album Body Building fuses dark dance music with an aesthetic and live performance that takes influence from their past life in drag. Born and raised in Lancashire, Tom moved to London where they fell into the world of drag for a decade, performing everywhere from the Royal Opera House to Glastonbury to the West End. Although their drag alter ego Crystal was distinct for singing live rather than lip syncing, it wasn’t until Rasmussen started writing their own music that their performance persona began to change, revealing more of themselves. Thus came their debut album Body Building, an album that pierces the skin with its falsetto vocals and moments of queer euphoria punctuated by acoustic instrumentation. Having already toured with Rina Sawayama and Self Esteem in the UK, Tom Rasmussen has already made waves with audiences across the UK, especially with their single – Dysphoria – the inimitably catchy, powerful yet poignant ode to their experience with their body.

Reviews for CRYSTAL RASMUSSEN PRESENTS THE BIBLE 2 (PLUS A CURE FOR SHAME, VIOLENCE, BETRAYAL AND ATHLETE'S FOOT):

“Crystal Rasmussen gives a bold, brave performance. It is a true privilege to witness their naked body wiggling and writhing in this dark Cowgate ally.” ✭✭✭✭✭ Ed Fest Magazine

“This is the most affirmative, queer-positive show you will see and it does it with club anthems, a light-up storybook and a fabulous queen with a heart as huge and beautiful as her voice.” ✭✭✭✭✭ The Scotsman

“From the hour, it’s hard to choose a favourite moment, there are so many highlights. What has remained with me the most are the sultry vocals, the sensual/absurd bath in the paddling pool…and the honest storytelling from Crystal’s bible- her life, the ups and downs of what it means to embrace yourself and remove shame.” ✭✭✭✭✭ Snack

"Crystal Rasmussen presents The Bible 2 delights in its high camp comedy and cleverly interpreted musical numbers, but its most impressive asset is its heart and poignancy. Tom's discussion of the queer experience and his personal journey will undoubtedly resonate with many, providing an absorbing, optimistic and cathartic emotional journey." ✭✭✭✭ Culture Fix

“The beguiling Crystal Rasmussen strikes it out on her own in this solo show that transitions seamlessly – almost imperceptibly, at times – between Crystal's origins and that of Tom, their real-life persona.” ✭✭✭✭ The List

“Drag cabaret with a twist, it offers moments that punch you in the gut and others so uplifting this reviewer got goosebumps, particularly when Rasmussen sings; their voice is astonishing.” ✭✭✭✭ Three Weeks

They host Comedy Central's hit online series, DRAGONY AUNTS. The first series is available now and a second series is to come.

Praise for DIARY OF A DRAG QUEEN: