It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect
A Memoir
RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2026
PUBLISHER: Algonquin Books
A love letter to every kind of body—an ode to music, to creativity, and to making it work—inviting us to embrace all of life’s experiences with heart and determination
Gaelynn Lea was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Her parents were loving, cash-strapped theater kids, and she grew up racing about in her first electric wheelchair, having adventures with her siblings, and handing out playbills at her parents’ dinner theater shows. Transfixed by an orchestra performance in 4th grade, Gaelynn became determined to play the cello. When her shortened limbs made playing the instrument challenging, she employed a familiar tactic: adapting. What if she held a violin upright in her wheelchair, like the world’s tiniest cello? That what if was the key that unlocked her lifelong music career.
After winning NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert in 2016, Lea became a full-time touring musician—and that’s when she began to truly struggle with the inaccessibility of the music world. Out of necessity, she became a dedicated advocate and activist, pushing back against the prevailing stereotypes, assumptions, and barriers with her own gently defiant style. Lea’s warm, funny, deeply-felt memoir addresses love and faith, sexuality and mortality, the frustration and the joy of difference. She shows how disability inspires and enables unique and indispensable contributions to the world, and reminds readers to think creatively, fight for what they love, and savor the journey.
Advance Praise for It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect:
“Gaelynn’s story is beautiful . . . She writes with a depth and honesty that only comes from being bold & unafraid to dream big.” —Glory Edim, author of Gather Me and Well-Read Black Girl
“Lea writes with a directness, candor and humor that are illuminating. Exploring the intersection of music and disability, It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect is a one-of-a-kind page-turner.”
—Ian Brennan, GRAMMY® winner & author of Missing Music
“Gaelynn’s fierceness resounds throughout, but her words are inviting and approachable for anyone seeking to connect with the disability experience. Absolutely a worthwhile read!”
—Emily Ladau, author of Demystifying Disability
“Gaelynn Lea is a true original with immense strength . . . She has infinite optimism and energy to make the world better. I look forward to the next time I find myself under her spell.”
—Jeff Tweedy [Wilco], author of Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back)
“Gaelynn has written a music memoir like no other. It’s an indie rock tell-all through the lens of disability justice, told with real humanity and humor.”
—Colin Meloy [The Decemberists], author of Wildwood Chronicles
“In It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect, Gaelynn Lea invites us into a world where creativity, access, and possibility collide. Her stories reveal not only the barriers disabled artists face, but also the brilliance and community that flourish when we’re given the space to exist on our own terms. Lea doesn’t just point to what needs to change; she shows us a future we should all be fighting for—and one that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.”
—Tiffany Yu, author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto
“Gaelynn Lea shows readers how #AccessIsLove again and again. Her family, teachers, friends, colleagues, and fans demonstrate the actions we can take, in small and big ways, to remove barriers. These captivating stories serve as ramps for communities rolling toward a better society. Her book is a gift for our world.”
—Haben Girma, disability rights activist and author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law