The new book on news coverage of AIDS in the 1980s and ’90s, :Dying Words: The AIDS Reporting of Jeff Schmalz and How It Transformed the New York Times,” is now available from CUNY Journalism Press. The book’s official publication date is Dec. 1 — World AIDS Day — but you can order an advance copy now — paperback, ebook or a combination — here.

The books looks back at the short but remakable career of Jeff Schmalz, a Times editor and reporter who was closeted to his bosses at the Times until he was outed when he collapsed with AIDS in the newsroom in 1990. He returned to launch a memorable reporting campaign looking at gay culture and AIDS before he died in 1993. Along the way, he transformed the attitudes and coverage of the Times, now a strong voice for gay rights, and in other newsrooms as well. For more information.