Linas Alsenas, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, studied art history at Harvard University, where he took a class called "Introduction to Queer Studies". Like most of his classmates, he often felt he lacked the historical context necessary to discuss queer theory, and was frustrated by the lack of accessible books that might provide it. After graduation, he worked for a year as an editor at a design magazine before embarking on his career in book publishing at Harry N. Abrams, Inc., where he has worked on such titles as AT EASE: Navy Men of World War II; ANGRY LITTLE GIRLS; THE ART OF MAURICE SENDAK: 1980 to Present by Tony Kushner; MALE DESIRE: The Homoerotic in American Art by noted art historian Jonathan Weinberg; and many children's books. At Abrams, Publisher Howard Reeves encouraged Linas to put together GAY AMERICA, and upon moving to Sweden with his partner in 2005, Linas spent two years reading history in preparation for the project. He is also the author and illustrator of three picture books from Scholastic Press: MRS. CLAUS TAKES A VACATION, PEANUT, and the upcoming HELLO MY NAME IS BOB.