#blackgirlmagic fantasy novel features quirky queer black girl on an otherworldly adventure

A YA fantasy novel, and the debut from author Jaz Joyner, ‘Juniper Leaves: The Otherworldly Tale of a Lonesome Magical Girl’ is a story of literal #BlackGirlMagic. Juniper Bray is 15-years, queer, and Black. A science nerd and black sheep, Juniper’s hope and belief in magic burn out when her best friend and grandmother dies. Heading out on a science research trip at her father’s farm, miles away from her friends, stuck with a family she doesn’t relate to and her new arch nemesis, Bree Mckinney, Juniper embarks on an otherworldly adventure where she discovers her true powers and finds love in an unexpected place.

“Juniper Leaves is a fantastical coming-of-age tale of a girl who learns to let go, live a little, and best of all, believe in herself — all before her sixteenth birthday.”

‘Juniper Leaves: The Otherworldly Tale of a Lonesome Magical Girl’ is available for Kindle pre-order. Paperback copies go on sale Dec. 4th. Read an excerpt, here.

Jaz Joyner is an essayist, humorist and author residing in Brooklyn, NY. Shortly after receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University, Jaz moved to New York to begin writing full time. Formerly assistant editor at Time Out New York, their work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Huffington Post, The Mary Sue, The Establishment, and others. One of Jaz’s essays is featured in the LGBT anthology Outside the XY: Queer, Black and Brown Masculinity. In 2016, Jaz started a humor site called QUNTFRONT with the goal of uplifting QTPoC voices  and calling out white supremacy in media. Their first novel Juniper Leaves is out now. @JazJoyner