This fall, George M. Johnson, author of the New York Times bestseller All Boys Aren’t Blue and We Are Not Broken, offers a heartfelt paean to queer heroes of the Harlem Renaissance. In Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Sept. 24), they seamlessly weave personal narrative and poetry into profiles of 12 outstanding writers, artists, and activists—including Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Bessie Smith, and Zora Neale Hurston—with illustrated portraits by Charly Palmer. Kirkus calls Flamboyants a “sincere and beautifully illustrated ode to queer Black figures who shaped the Harlem Renaissance.” Johnson answered some questions by email; our exchange has been edited for length and clarity.
What made Flamboyants the right title for this book?
I wanted a title that was just as powerful as the figures profiled. All of the figures were stars in their own right, and they carried such flare and power in their work. I wanted to find a word or phrase that described them and that they encompassed. I looked at these figures like they were the “Avengers,” a group that separately held their own stories while collectively changing culture and the world. So I call them The Flamboyants.
What were some of the pleasures and challenges of bringing their stories to the page?
The pleasures were learning about how complex their lives were. They weren’t monolithic in thought, and each added their own special thing to the era. As a kid, I only knew of them through their accolades, so it was amazing to learn about their actual lives and just how similar many of them were to us and how we navigate life today. The challenge I had for some was that there isn’t a lot of information about them, so it made the research really important. The other challenge was that some of them lived really hard lives and died in poverty—very sad endings for such important people. However, I’m grateful that I get to share their stories.
If you could choose one of the remarkable people you profile to be your artistic mentor, who would it be and why?
It would probably be Langston Hughes. He was really like the glue of the Renaissance. He knew everyone and collaborated with so many individuals. He also chronicled the period in a beautiful way. He is the reason we have many of the stories from the era. It reminds me of the work I do to ensure our stories of today get told and aren’t forgotten. His writing is also very whimsical at times, which is a style I tend to write in. He also seemed like he was a good time to be around.
How do you plan to celebrate publication day, Sept. 24?
I’ll probably be on tour, but it will most likely be with my family. I enjoy celebrating my wins with them.
What fall release are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to Shadowed by Carl Deuker.
What’s the last great book you read?
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I read it a lot.
Megan Labrise is the editor at large and host of Kirkus’ Fully Booked podcast.
