By Nicole Mitchell
Over two years ago, Mercury Stardust—aka the Trans Handy Ma’am on TikTok—responded to a comment that went viral. Since then, she’s been giving out her expert DIY and other home maintenance advice to renters on TikTok, began her podcast “Handy Ma’am Hotline,” and wrote her first book, titled Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair.
Safe and Sound gives readers tips on over 50 home projects from her perspective as a maintenance technician of over 16 years. Chapters cover a wide variety of maintenance, such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and safety needs—plus QR code links to videos to help you along the way.
This Friday, November 17, Stardust will visit our friends at Helianthus Books to sign copies of her new book and meet with fans. “I’m super excited and honored to be asked to host this Meet & Greet book-signing event,” said Helianthus Books owner Kelly Stromberg. “I think this book will save people’s lives by showing how to do simple repairs yourself when calling an order in to maintenance might not be the safest thing for you to do.”
Tickets for the event range from $15 – 30 with the option to bring your own book or purchase a copy from Helianthus, and include a short meet and greet with Stardust. Join in on the fun at Divina Event Center (314 Ward Parkway KCMO). Tickets must be purchased in advance, and time slots are chosen at the time of purchase.
Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair
By Mercury Stardust
Don’t panic—Mercury Stardust, AKA The Trans Handy Ma’am is here to help! For too many people, the simple act of contacting a plumber or repair person can feel like a game of chance. As a transwoman and a professional maintenance technician, Mercury Stardust has discovered (the hard way) that we live in a world with much to fear. If you’ve ever felt panicked about opening your home to strangers in order to fix a maintenance issue, this book is for you.
Find Mercury Stardust online:
Nicole Mitchell (she/they) is a writer and social media manager who graduated December 2020 with a degree in strategic communication. A few of her favorite things include cuddling with cats, listening to Bon Iver, making lattes, and running her book club (even though sometimes she forgets to read the books.)
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