Baldwin: A Love Story

Join us for an illuminating conversation between author and scholar Nicholas Boggs and novelist and cultural critic Keenan Norris as they discuss Boggs’ groundbreaking new book, Baldwin: A Love Story—the first major biography of James Baldwin in over thirty years.

Drawing on newly uncovered archival material, original research, and personal interviews, Baldwin: A Love Story reveals the central role that Baldwin’s intimate relationships played in shaping both his life and his literary legacy. From his formative bond with painter Beauford Delaney to his creative collaborations and deep affections with figures like Lucien Happersberger, Engin Cezzar, and Yoran Cazac, Boggs traces Baldwin’s global journey through Harlem, Paris, Istanbul, and beyond—mapping the inner and outer worlds that defined one of the most influential voices of the 20th century.

In conversation with Keenan Norris—author of The Confession of Copeland Cane, a prescient novel exploring the intersections of systemic racism, gentrification, and surveillance in East Oakland’s near future, and a critical voice on Black urban experience, criminal justice, and media representation in American culture—Boggs will delve into Baldwin’s enduring relevance, the writing of the biography, and the rich legacy of Black and queer literary history.

Copies of Baldwin: A Love Story will be available for purchase and signing following the discussion.

Host or Publisher Bay Area Book Festival