Johnson’s books speak directly to the abrasive, nerdy, sweet, complicated Black girl I was, giving me the stories I always knew I wanted but rarely found.

She writes stories starring queer Black girls that unapologetically give us a window into the multitudes we contain. You will need to make room in your heart for Johnson’s characters because they walk right off the page and take root in your soul. In a single sentence, she can make a reader feel a swell of pride, a bit of obstination, a touch of sadness, and soaring joy. When you pick up a Johnson novel, the prose always delights. After meeting at a three-day music festival, they learn to rely on each other as they search for love, lust, excitement, and more. Rise to the Sun tells the story of romantic Olivia, who needs a break from the toll of falling in and out of love, and emotionally distant Toni. Her debut young adult novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, follows wallflower Liz Lighty as she puts herself in the running for prom queen to win a college scholarship in small-town Indiana, while navigating her feelings for another candidate that go from competition to crush.

After starting out with an interest in journalism and broadcast radio, Johnson pivoted to fiction writing, eventually becoming an editor at Catapult and teaching the craft. Award-winning author Leah Johnson has approached writing from many vantage points over the course of her career.

Book you should see me in a crown