Social media star, bestselling author and transgender activist Mercury Stardust is bringing her latest book tour to St. Louis on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with an appearance presented by Left Bank Books at .ZACK Theatre.
Known to millions online as the “Trans Handy Ma’am,” Stardust has built an enormous following by making home repair approachable, combining practical DIY instruction with humor, patience and a message that people shouldn’t have to be experts to feel comfortable maintaining their own homes.
Her new book, Lost and Found: A Compassionate Guide to Homeownership, was released Sept. 15 by DK and follows her #1 New York Times bestseller Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair. The 240-page book takes readers beyond renting and into the sometimes intimidating world of buying and maintaining a home.
Drawing partly from Stardust’s own experience buying a fixer-upper, Lost and Found covers the homebuying process, inspections, closing and renovations, along with projects and guidance for maintaining both the interior and exterior of a home. The emphasis remains on making potentially overwhelming subjects accessible to people who may never have been taught those skills.
The new book has already landed on USA Today’s bestselling books list, according to Stardust’s publicity team.
Stardust’s reach extends well beyond home improvement. The professional home maintenance technician and former burlesque instructor has become a prominent transgender advocate, using her large social media audience to raise money for transgender health care.
Her annual Stream-a-Thon for Trans Health benefits Point of Pride, a nonprofit that provides financial aid and other support to transgender people seeking health and wellness services. In 2025 alone, the fundraiser brought in more than $1 million, according to Point of Pride.
The St. Louis stop is part of a national tour that has included appearances in Seattle, San Diego and Salt Lake City, with upcoming stops including Asheville, Atlanta and Louisville. The tour concludes Oct. 22 at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City.
The St. Louis event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at .ZACK Theatre, with Left Bank Books presenting an evening featuring Stardust and a book signing.
