Picture a California-born storyteller who spins tales of love that leap across centuries—meet Justinian Huang! With his debut novel, The Emperor and the Endless Palace, Huang weaves a vibrant tapestry of historical fiction, fantasy, and queer romance, drawing readers into a world where souls find each other lifetime after lifetime. His unique blend of cultural heritage and cinematic flair makes every page pulse with passion and intrigue.
Born to Taiwanese immigrants, Huang’s stories are as dynamic as his life, bridging Los Angeles and Bangkok, with his rescue dog Swagger by his side. His work challenges genre norms, offering a fresh take on love and identity that’s both sultry and soulful. Ready to dive into his mesmerizing world?
The Making of Justinian Huang
Raised in Monterey Park, California, Justinian Huang grew up surrounded by the rich stories of his Taiwanese immigrant family and the drama of Chinese palace serials watched with his grandmother. A Pomona College English graduate and Oxford-trained screenwriter, Huang initially chased a career in film, working as a creative executive at Sony Pictures Animation and DreamWorks Pearl in Shanghai. His time in China, coupled with personal experiences of love and heartbreak, sparked the inspiration for his pivot to novelist. During the 2020 lockdown, holed up in his mom’s attic, Huang poured his soul into writing, crafting stories that blend his multicultural roots with a bold, queer perspective.
Justinian Huang’s Unforgettable Stories
Huang’s debut, The Emperor and the Endless Palace (2024), is a genre-bending romantasy that follows two lovers across three timelines: 4 BCE Han Dynasty China, 1740 Qing Dynasty, and modern-day Los Angeles. Inspired by the real-life love story of Emperor Ai and Dong Xian, this Stonewall Honor Book (2025) explores metaphysical love, betrayal, and reincarnation with lush prose and spicy thrills. Critics, like Booklist, hailed it as “a sweeping triumph,” praising its vivid depiction of queer Asian romance.
His second novel, Lucky Seed (forthcoming), shifts to an epic family drama infused with Eastern superstition, promising the same twisty storytelling but with a cheeky, “bitchy gay brunch” vibe. Huang’s style is cinematic, blending historical authenticity with modern sass, and his themes of queer identity, Asian heritage, and timeless connection resonate deeply. Each work invites readers to question love’s boundaries while celebrating the beauty of Asian masculinity and queerness across ages.
Huang’s narratives draw from meticulous research, including consultations with Chinese scholars during his DreamWorks tenure, ensuring authenticity in his portrayal of historical settings and folklore, like fox spirits and imperial seals. His unapologetic embrace of eroticism and emotional depth sets him apart, crafting stories that are as thought-provoking as they are heart-pounding.
Why Justinian Huang Matters
Justinian Huang is redefining romantasy by centering queer Asian men as protagonists in epic love stories, a bold move in a genre often dominated by other narratives. His work resonates with readers seeking representation, offering a “magical birthright” that celebrates queerness as an integral part of Asian heritage. By remixing historical tales and folklore, Huang bridges past and present, inviting readers to see love as a force that transcends time. His impact extends beyond literature, sparking conversations about identity and desire in publishing and beyond, as noted in interviews with outlets like Out and The Nerds of Color.
As a former film executive, Huang’s stories carry a visual flair, with adaptations of his work already in discussion, promising to bring his vibrant worlds to new audiences. His fearless storytelling and commitment to authenticity make him a rising star to watch.
- Born: Monterey Park, California, to Taiwanese immigrants
- Key Works: The Emperor and the Endless Palace (2024), Lucky Seed (forthcoming)
- Awards: Stonewall Honor Book in Literature (2025) for The Emperor and the Endless Palace
- Fun Fact: Lives with his rescue dog, Swagger, adopted during his five years in China
Snag The Emperor and the Endless Palace and dive into Justinian Huang’s sultry, soul-stirring romantasy! Whether you’re a fan of star-crossed lovers or craving a fresh take on queer fantasy, his stories will leave your heart racing.