Brontez Purnell is an American writer, musician, dancer, and director based out of Oakland, California. He is the author of several award-winning books, including Since I Laid My Burden Down (2017), 100 Boyfriends (2022), which won a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction, and the punk zine Fag School. Purnell is the frontman for the punk band The Younger Lovers and is the founder of the Brontez Purnell Dance Company.
Original publication
2026
Average rating
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Opening Excerpt
From the storyMy cab driver fell asleep at the wheel and almost hit a car in the lane next to us. I could have canceled the ride, but we were on the freeway. I put what few nerves I had left to work and said, very loudly from the back seat, things like: “Have you had a long day, Madame?” And: “How much longer do we have to go?” It didn’t seem to be working.
Story Vibe & Style Profile
Emotional Weight
3.4 / 5
Bittersweet
Narrative Pacing
4.1 / 5
Brisk
Literary Style
1.5 / 5
Direct & Minimalist
Speculative / Reality
1.4 / 5
Realistic / Mimetic
Appearances
Cover
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine December 2025 · Dec 1, 2025
About the Author
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