"[4] In Locus, Katharine Coldiron reviewed the collection positively, describing it as imperfect but innovative and "and, in moments, quite brilliant."

[2] A starred review in Publishers Weekly found Everyone on the Moon Is Essential Personnel to be an "outstanding debut collection [which] demonstrates a flair for queer surrealism and an ear for lyrical prose."

The review praised the "tenderness, humor, and righteous anger" found in the collection as well as its insight into marginalized characters.

[7] Writing for Lambda Literary, David Pratt approved of the language, imagery, and sociopolitical analysis in the collection, as well as its "heartrending reflections on the lives of those who struggle to align body, desire and identity and yet, find themselves bluntly rejected."

Bartels praised Everyone on the Moon Is Essential Personnel as "more than a clever take on the world we live in" and described it as a reimagination of real issues using fiction.