Nicholas Goodly's New Poetry Collection 'Star Power' Embraces Black Queer Joy
In June 2026, Simon & Schuster published Nicholas Goodly's second poetry anthology, titled Star Power. This work acts as a declaration of Black queer happiness, delving into aspirations such as fame and recognition through diverse characters. Goodly alludes to icons like Grace Jones and Thundercat, featuring pieces such as 'Happy Black Genius (for Thundercat)' and 'Slave to the Rhythm'. The collection also critiques anti-Black narratives in experimental poems like 'Vantablack' and 'Olsen Twin', employing palindromes to subvert norms. In a Summer 2026 ArtReview interview with Jessica Lanay, Goodly characterizes the poems as 'mini-workshops' and highlights the book's importance in light of rising anti-LGBTIQA+ attitudes, asserting, 'Star Power is about you.'
Key facts
- Nicholas Goodly's second poetry collection, Star Power, was released in June 2026.
- Star Power is published by Simon & Schuster.
- The collection is an everyday manifesto for Black queer joy, exploring fame, fortune, sex, and attention.
- Poems include 'Happy Black Genius (for Thundercat)', 'Vantablack', 'Olsen Twin', 'Slave to the Rhythm', and 'Gender'.
- Goodly references celebrities Grace Jones and Thundercat in the collection.
- The book addresses the anti-Black history of the avant-garde and critiques literary authority.
- The interview with Nicholas Goodly, conducted by Jessica Lanay, was published in the Summer 2026 issue of ArtReview.
- Goodly's first collection, Black Swim, was published in 2022.
- The book includes original artwork by Goodly: Star Power (no.1, no.2, no.4), acrylic on paper.
Entities
Artists
- Nicholas Goodly
- Grace Jones
- Thundercat
- Audre Lorde
- Harryette Mullen
- Essex Hemphill
- Jessica Lanay
Institutions
- Simon & Schuster
- ArtReview
Locations
- Baltimore
- United States