THE TICKET TO FREEDOM

David has spent his life split between silence and survival. Growing up in Nigeria meant hiding the parts of himself that felt too dangerous to...

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THE TICKET TO FREEDOM by The Luu
The Luu

The Luu

I am a Nigerian-born queer writer whose work lives at the crossroads of identity, culture, belonging, and emotional transformation. Growing up between worlds shaped the way I tell stories — with an eye for emotional honesty, introspection, and the quiet moments that reveal who we really are.

My debut novel, The Ticket to Freedom, follows David, a young man navigating the complexities of culture, silence, sexuality, and the search for home. What started as a gentle spark became a deeply personal narrative about becoming your truest self — even when the world insists you be something else.

I’m drawn to stories with heart, tension, and truth — stories that hold both pain and resilience, stories that mirror real lives, and stories that remind us that belonging isn’t stumbled upon; it’s built, shaped, and claimed.

Through my writing, I hope to create a space where:

• Queer voices feel seen

• Immigrant stories are honored

• Healing is possible

• Love and freedom can coexist

When I’m not buried in a manuscript, I’m expanding the world of the sequel to The Ticket to Freedom, connecting with readers, and exploring the emotional threads that tie my stories together.

Welcome to my world.

— The Luu

Other Writing

Behind the Pages: The Making of The Ticket to Freedom A weekly deep-dive
Behind the Pages: The Making of The Ticket to Freedom

A weekly deep-dive into the creation of The Ticket to Freedom. Explore the spark, the identity, the culture, and the personal truths behind the story — one chapter of the journey at a time.

Click the link below to start reading part 1 now.

Praise

“A Powerful and Heartfelt Journey to Freedom”

I may be a little biased since The Luu is my sister, but The Ticket to Freedom genuinely moved me. Her writing is powerful, honest, and full of heart. Every chapter feels alive with emotion, from struggle to strength, and ultimately, freedom. The way she captures resilience and hope is truly inspiring. Even knowing her personally, I discovered new depths to her story through this book. It’s beautifully written and deeply meaningful, a must-read for anyone seeking courage and connection in their own journey.

– Christian

“A stunning debut!”

This book grabbed my attention from the first page and held it until the last. David’s journey feels so real, so human, and so necessary. Can’t stop thinking about him.

– Rosebud

Latest Updates

December 6, 2025
A Quick Update on My Next Novel

2026…Get ready.

Just a little update from my writing desk: the sequel is officially in full swing, and I’m thrilled with how the story is unfolding. The emotional arcs are...

November 20, 2025
Milestone Update: 50 Downloads!

I can’t stay quiet about this — The Ticket to Freedom just hit 50 downloads, and I am absolutely blown away.

Fifty readers.

Fifty journeys begun.

Fifty people stepping into David’s...

Blog

BEHIND THE PAGES: A 5-Part Series — PART 3 If David is the foundation of
December 5, 2025
BEHIND THE PAGES: A 5-Part Series — PART 3

If David is the foundation of the story, then the other characters are the beams, walls, and hallways — each one shaping how the house feels from the inside.

Writers like to pretend we’re in control of our characters. But the truth is gentler, and a little humbling: we don’t create them so much as meet them. And if we’re paying attention, they show us who they really are.

Daniel was the first to surprise me.

He stepped onto the page quietly — gentle, steady, almost easy to overlook. I assumed he...

BEHIND THE PAGES: A 5-Part Series — PART 2 Building David: The Heart of the
November 28, 2025
BEHIND THE PAGES: A 5-Part Series — PART 2

Building David: The Heart of the Story


If The Ticket to Freedom is a house, then David is the foundation.

David didn’t arrive fully formed. He emerged slowly, piece by piece — a young man shaped by fear, tenderness, survival, and hope. I didn’t mold him into existence. I paid attention to who he was becoming as I wrote.

But before he could have a story, he needed a name.

And choosing one was its own journey.

For weeks, I circled different possibilities. Malik was one of the earliest contenders. It...

A Thanksgiving Reflection: Gratitude, Growth, and the Power of Story
November 27, 2025
A Thanksgiving Reflection: Gratitude, Growth, and the Power of Story

Thanksgiving always makes me pause — not just to count blessings, but to acknowledge the quiet, complicated paths that led me to them. This year feels different. Bigger. Deeper. Almost unreal.

Because this is the first Thanksgiving where I get to say:

I published my debut novel.

I put a piece of my heart into the world… and the world held it.

And that still amazes me.

The Journey Behind the Gratitude

When I think back on the road that led to The Ticket to Freedom, what I feel isn’t pride first — it...

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Events

10
April
Upcoming Event
SEQUEL RELEASE

The story that began with leaving isn’t over yet.

New love, new fears, new truths he never expected to face.

The journey continues April 10, 2026.

Pre-order coming soon.

Copyright 2025  The Luu 
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