But unlike many small-town populations in GLBTQ teen fic, Coalton's residents don't take much notice of Mike and Jamie's gender-bending ways (Mike works out to look more like a guy Jamie is a cross-dressing male cheerleader), nor the implications for their sexuality. Nee Mary Elizabeth - but don't call her that unless you want a knuckle sandwich - Mike and her best friend, Jamie, have always been different from other kids in Coalton, Kansas. Far from Xanadu is one of the most recent and possibly my favorite so far, largely owing to the unique voice of its narrator, Mike Szabo - a 16-year-old girl. She Loves You, She Loves You Not.After reading a fascinating study of library services to GLBTQ teens for one of my classes (), I started reading more of the literature being written for this young adult population.By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead (2010).

Far from Xanadu (2005) – later republished as Pretend You Love Me.Peters died at her home on March 21, 2023, at the age of 71. Peters married her longtime partner, Sherri Leggett, in 2014.

Peters began her writing career with the publication of her first two books, The Stinky Sneakers Contest, illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith, in 1992, and Risky Friends in 1993. Following this, Peters was a computer systems engineer for Electronic Data Systems in Denver from 1985 until 1988. She subsequently worked as a secretary, research assistant, computer programmer and systems analyst for Tracom Corporation in Denver from 1975 until 1984. However, she was unsuccessful as an educator, and pursued a different career path. Peters first worked as a teacher, teaching fifth grade and working as a special needs education assistant in the Jefferson County School District in Lakewood, Colorado, in 1975.

In 1989, Peters earned an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver with emphasis in information systems. During the next ten years, Peters worked as a research analyst, computer programmer, and systems engineer. She earned a BS in computer and management science from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 1985. Peters received a BA in elementary education from Colorado Women's College in 1974, with a minor in French.

Far from Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters