Author Talk: Tanaïs, in conversation w/ Imani Perry

Join us at Narrative in celebration of author Tanaïs & the release of their new novel, STELLAR SMOKE. In conversation with Imani Perry. Registration required to attend. Ticket options are either a purchase of: 1) signed copy of the featured book as the event ticket OR 2)a $5 credit for an in-store purchase. Must be redeemed at the event. 1 credit redemption per purchase. Autographed works from both authors will be available for purchase. Narrative is thrilled to host an author talk & signing event in celebration of the release of STELLAR SMOKE- a hypnotically original and lush speculative new novel from multidisciplinary artist & award-winning author Tanaïs about family secrets and the mother–daughter bond across generations—ultimately blurring the boundary between past and present, human and machine. Tanaïs will be in conversation with scholar & bestselling author, Imani Perry. We hope you'll join us in in community with both incredible authors for this very special evening! STELLAR SMOKE: Qamar is a musician hustling in a near-future metropolitan city. Struggling to pay rent and heartbroken after a breakup, she decides to return to the island ashram of her childhood. It’s time to finally settle the rift she has with her estranged mother, Veda—a brilliant scientist, actress, and one of the leaders of a now-dissolved cult called the Endless Temple. But when Qamar arrives, the land is verdant yet neglected, and, most troubling, there are no signs of her mother or sister, Palo. Behind a retina scan–locked door, Qamar encounters her mother’s last opus, a machine consciousness called VEDA (Virtual Experiences, Dreams and Afterlife), designed to reveal the story of Veda’s life. The descent into VEDA’s technoscape forces Qamar to confront the taboos and tragedies of their past, while bracing herself for the wild, unexpected possibilities that await. Named Most Anticipated by Electric Literature, Book Riot, Autostraddle, Reactor Mag, and Gizmodo “Tanaïs draws the reader in with their spiky and sensual voice-driven narration . . . It’s a stunner.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW “A fierce and sensuous novel that will challenge readers to think of the future as a portal to the past. Tanaïs writes with sensitivity about the bonds of family, the weight of history, and the resilience of life even under the rapacious forces of colonialism, extremism, and capitalism.” —Laila Lalami, author of The Dream Hotel “Tanaïs is a visionary and a literary force. Their new novel, Stellar Smoke, is both a lush sensorium and a deep exploration of timeless questions: What forms of witness do we owe our ancestors? Can we ever lay our ghosts to rest? A truly singular work of art, destined to last.”—Tania James, author of Loot “A potent hybrid of family history and futuristic imagination that pursues its story across generations and genres, Stellar Smoke is a visionary novel that offers a glimpse into a living archive, a human technology, a record of resilience, survival, and longing. Tanaïs is one of the most exciting storytellers working today, with one hand taking the pulse of our moment and the other reaching for the stars.” —Alexandra Kleeman, author of Something New Under the Sun “Mesmerizing, prescient, and utterly, extravagantly original.” —Tahmima Anam, author of Uprising AUTHOR BIO: Tanaïs (née Tanwi Nandini Islam) is a multidisciplinary artist, novelist, memoirist, and perfumer. They are the author of In Sensorium: Notes for My People, which won the Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction, and offers an alternative history of South Asia through the lens of scent. Their critically acclaimed queer coming-of-age debut novel, Bright Lines, was a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the Edmund White Debut Fiction Award, and the Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize. They studied at Vassar College and Brooklyn College, and founded the independent artisan perfume house Studio Tanaïs. Their writing and perfumes have been featured in Vogue, Vogue India, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, The Cut, The Nation, and more. They live in New York City with their husband, Mojo. IN CONVERSATION WITH: Imani Perry is the Henry A. Morss, Jr. and Elisabeth W. Morss Professor of Studies of Women, Gender and Sexuality and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University and the Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor at Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Perry is the author of 9 books, including the New York Times Bestseller South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation which received the 2022 National Book Award for Nonfiction. Perry's other award-winning titles include: May We Forever Stand: A History of the Black National Anthem, Breathe: A Letter to My Sons, and Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry. Her most recent book: Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People, was published in January of 2025. Perry has written for numerous publications including: The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Bitter Southerner, Harper's and Harper’s Bazaar. She is a 2023 recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship. Perry has also received fellowships from the Guggenheim and Pew Foundations. Perry earned her Ph.D. in the History of American Civilization from Harvard University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an L.L.M. in 19th century property and contract law from Georgetown University Law Center, and a B.A. in American Studies and Literature from Yale College. EVENT SCHEDULE: -6:50PM: Registered guest check-in -7:00PM: Event start, author talk + audience Q&A -8:00PM: Author meet & greet/signing line, reception, guests are welcome to browse Narrative's curation & check out -9:00PM: Shop closing time Registration availability is subject to capacity. Further details will be emailed to all registered guests prior to the event. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.