Welcome to The Vera Chronicles

A (re) introduction to my work, my world and the stories that follow…

Photography by Rex Lott. Makeup by Bridie Coughlan.

Dear Readers,

This new substack is an opportunity for me to be free, to publish my immediate thoughts or the treasures from my archives. At this point in my long and happy life I have been known by many names and had different voices. Here you will meet the diverse aspects of me and hopefully come to understand my personal experience of womanhood and, even more, the complexity of what it is to be human. There’s little Mary, the good girl, and slutty Veronica, Miss Vera muse to gender explorers and dean of the Academy. There’s activist Veronica Vera and church lady Veronica Cottingham. I’ve been twice a blushing bride and twice a not-so merry widow. All will show up in my words. You can enjoy tales from my 1980s sex journalism, excerpts and lessons from my landmark transgender books, get an early look at my memoir in progress or discover an unpublished masterpiece.

Whether you are new to my life and art or somewhat familiar, I am thrilled that you might follow me on this latest venture, a coming together that I hope will inspire you in your own quest for truth and integrity. You are essential in this process and I’ll do my best to captivate you.

My Substack will offer:

• Vintage articles republished from my magazine column Veronica Vera’s New York which charted the outrageous NYC sex scene of the 1980s

• Behind-the-scenes stories of Miss Vera’s Crossdressing Academy

• Current thoughts on sex, gender, art and love

• Excerpts my forthcoming memoir, Bare Witness

Some additional things to know: I believe in magic. I believe in ghosts. I believe in intuition and visions. I believe in the wisdom of pleasure and the power of love. So let’s have fun!

With pleasure,

Veronica Vera 💋