Books by Billy Merrell


Bibliography

Books

Vanilla. New York: PUSH/Scholastic Press, 2017.
• A Junior Library Guild selection

Talking in the Dark: A Poetry Memoir. New York: PUSH/Scholastic, 2003.
• Named a Book for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library system

As Editor

The Full Spectrum: A New Generation of Writing about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Other Identities (with David Levithan). New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House, 2006.
• Recipient of the Lambda Literary Award

Essays

“Since Feeling Is First” in The Writer’s Guide to Poetry. New York: Signature / Penguin Random House, 2017.

Poems in Anthologies and Magazines

“What It’s Like With a Closeted Boy” and “The Great What If,” in Like Light: 25 Years of Poetry and Prose By Bright Hill Poets and Writers. Bright Hill Press, 2017.

“3 1/2 Love Sonnets,” HIV Here & Now, July 9, 2015.

“Bat House,” Gulf Cost: A Journal of Literature and Fine ArtsVol. 27 Issue 1. October 2014.

“The Work of Sons and Fathers,” Slice Magazine, 2014.

“Transmission” in Contemporary Poetry, presented by the New Art Dealers Association (NADA), May 2014.

“Feeling Older” in Gay & Lesbian Review WorldwideVol. 20 Issue 5. September/October 2013.

“National Anthem, 1991” in Divining Divas: 100 Gay Men on Their Muses. Lethe, 2012.

“Nabakov, Naming the Animals” in A Face to Meet the Faces: An Anthology of Contemporary Persona Poetry. Akron, OH: University Of Akron, 2012.

“Sonnet [NOTE ON THE LEAP]” in The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2011.

“Marriage 1” and “Sonnet [NOTE ON THE KISS]” in Slice Magazine, Issue 7. Fall 2010/Winter 2011.

“My Boyfriend Refuses to Speak Iambic Pentameter” in Best Gay Poetry 2008. New York: Lethe Press, 2008.

“My Boyfriend Refuses to Speak Iambic Pentameter” in This Is Push: An Anthology of New Writing. New York: Push, 2007.

“Off Like a Prom Dress” in 21 Proms. New York: Scholastic, 2007.

“Aubade to Childhood” in The Best Young Writers and Artists in America. New York: Scholastic, 2002.

Translations

“Bamboo Grove” and “A Place Named for Deer” by Wang Wei. Guernica: A Magazine of Art & Politics, January 2012.

For Children

Who Was Langston Hughes? New York: Penguin Random House, 2024.

“Rebel Bond” in Spirit Animals: Tales of the Fallen Beasts. Scholastic, 2016.

Spirit Animals: Ninani (Tales of the Great Beasts Special e-Extra). Scholastic, 2014.

“Yin and Yu” in Spirit Animals: Tales of the Great Beasts. Scholastic, 2014. Press

Infinity Ring Secrets #4: Blood and Ink (eBook Original, Kindle Edition). New York: Scholastic, 2013.

Infinity Ring Secrets #6: Up in Flames (eBook Original, Kindle Edition). New York: Scholastic, 2013.

For Fun 

Horoscope Mad Libs. New York: Penguin Random House, 2024.

Bob’s Burgers Grand Re-Opening Mad Libs. New York: Penguin Random House, 2017.

Unicorns, Mermaids, and Mad Libs. New York: Penguin Random House, 2016.

Bob’s Burgers Mad Libs. New York: Penguin Random House, 2015.

Photo by Manjari Sharma

Author of a novel-in-poems, Vanilla (PUSH / Scholastic Press, 2017), and Talking in the Dark, a poetry memoir published when he was twenty-one (PUSH / Scholastic, 2003), Billy Merrell is also the co-editor (with David Levithan) of The Full Spectrum: A New Generation of Writing About Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Other Identities, which received a Lambda Literary Award.


@billythemerrell
  • Happy book birthday, Langston! 📚✨ I’m pleased to announce my new book, Who Was Langston Hughes?, hits store shelves today! Published by @penguinworkshop and illustrated by the incomparable @gregoryjcopeland, it tells the tale of the most iconic poet of the Harlem Renaissance. 

Editorial: @manzaneropaula
Cover art: @nancyharrisonart
Design: Samantha Krause
@penguinkids

#proudauthor #iveknownrivers #langstonhughes #newyorktimesbestsellingseries #WhoWasLangstonHughes? #WhoHQ #BillyMerrell #GregoryCopeland #author #illustrator #nonfiction #nytbestseller #poet #activist #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #blm #harlemrenaissance #kidlit #bookstagram #childrensbookstagram #PenguinWorkshop #PenguinKids #penguinrandomhouse
  • Carnival time. One woman Wonder Wheel.
  • Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
  • Cool Kids Club
  • I started this #oilpainting of a #sedum plant #inbloom back in August of 2021. Two years later, I finally had a chance to paint the next layer! 💪✨ #paintingprocess #liquin #patience 

Is it #finished though? Only time will tell! 🤡 #🖼 Maybe I should #putabeeonit
  • Playing with the 4 of diamonds. As one does.
  • Brooklyn Gardeners, acrylic on adhesive paper; 06/08/2023

#rowhouses #painteveryday #acrylicpainting #posters #gardenpainting #brooklynpainter
  • Tattoo Dreams 😇 ✨🖼️🎨

Acrylic on adhesive paper. #giantsticker #acrylicpainting
  • Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Happy book birthday, Langston! 📚✨ I’m pleased to announce my new book, Who Was Langston Hughes?, hits store shelves today! Published by @penguinworkshop and illustrated by the incomparable @gregoryjcopeland, it tells the tale of the most iconic poet of the Harlem Renaissance. 

Editorial: @manzaneropaula
Cover art: @nancyharrisonart
Design: Samantha Krause
@penguinkids

#proudauthor #iveknownrivers #langstonhughes #newyorktimesbestsellingseries #WhoWasLangstonHughes? #WhoHQ #BillyMerrell #GregoryCopeland #author #illustrator #nonfiction #nytbestseller #poet #activist #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #blm #harlemrenaissance #kidlit #bookstagram #childrensbookstagram #PenguinWorkshop #PenguinKids #penguinrandomhouse
Happy book birthday, Langston! 📚✨ I’m pleased to announce my new book, Who Was Langston Hughes?, hits store shelves today! Published by @penguinworkshop and illustrated by the incomparable @gregoryjcopeland, it tells the tale of the most iconic poet of the Harlem Renaissance. 

Editorial: @manzaneropaula
Cover art: @nancyharrisonart
Design: Samantha Krause
@penguinkids

#proudauthor #iveknownrivers #langstonhughes #newyorktimesbestsellingseries #WhoWasLangstonHughes? #WhoHQ #BillyMerrell #GregoryCopeland #author #illustrator #nonfiction #nytbestseller #poet #activist #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #blm #harlemrenaissance #kidlit #bookstagram #childrensbookstagram #PenguinWorkshop #PenguinKids #penguinrandomhouse
Happy book birthday, Langston! 📚✨ I’m pleased to announce my new book, Who Was Langston Hughes?, hits store shelves today! Published by @penguinworkshop and illustrated by the incomparable @gregoryjcopeland, it tells the tale of the most iconic poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Editorial: @manzaneropaula Cover art: @nancyharrisonart Design: Samantha Krause @penguinkids #proudauthor #iveknownrivers #langstonhughes #newyorktimesbestsellingseries #WhoWasLangstonHughes? #WhoHQ #BillyMerrell #GregoryCopeland #author #illustrator #nonfiction #nytbestseller #poet #activist #blackhistorymonth #blacklivesmatter #blm #harlemrenaissance #kidlit #bookstagram #childrensbookstagram #PenguinWorkshop #PenguinKids #penguinrandomhouse
1 month ago
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1/9
Carnival time. One woman Wonder Wheel.
Carnival time. One woman Wonder Wheel.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023)

🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
Getting the Garden Ready! Acrylic on paper, 34” x 39” (September 2023) 🎨✨ #flourescentpaint #postersize #painting #acrylicpainting #gaypainting #gaypainter #utopia #rowhouses #gardenlove #lgbt #malemuse #billymerrell
4 months ago
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3/9
Cool Kids Club
Cool Kids Club
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
I started this #oilpainting of a #sedum plant #inbloom back in August of 2021. Two years later, I finally had a chance to paint the next layer! 💪✨ #paintingprocess #liquin #patience 

Is it #finished though? Only time will tell! 🤡 #🖼 Maybe I should #putabeeonit
I started this #oilpainting of a #sedum plant #inbloom back in August of 2021. Two years later, I finally had a chance to paint the next layer! 💪✨ #paintingprocess #liquin #patience 

Is it #finished though? Only time will tell! 🤡 #🖼 Maybe I should #putabeeonit
I started this #oilpainting of a #sedum plant #inbloom back in August of 2021. Two years later, I finally had a chance to paint the next layer! 💪✨ #paintingprocess #liquin #patience 

Is it #finished though? Only time will tell! 🤡 #🖼 Maybe I should #putabeeonit
I started this #oilpainting of a #sedum plant #inbloom back in August of 2021. Two years later, I finally had a chance to paint the next layer! 💪✨ #paintingprocess #liquin #patience Is it #finished though? Only time will tell! 🤡 #🖼 Maybe I should #putabeeonit
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Playing with the 4 of diamonds. As one does.
Playing with the 4 of diamonds. As one does.
7 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Brooklyn Gardeners, acrylic on adhesive paper; 06/08/2023

#rowhouses #painteveryday #acrylicpainting #posters #gardenpainting #brooklynpainter
Brooklyn Gardeners, acrylic on adhesive paper; 06/08/2023

#rowhouses #painteveryday #acrylicpainting #posters #gardenpainting #brooklynpainter
Brooklyn Gardeners, acrylic on adhesive paper; 06/08/2023

#rowhouses #painteveryday #acrylicpainting #posters #gardenpainting #brooklynpainter
Brooklyn Gardeners, acrylic on adhesive paper; 06/08/2023

#rowhouses #painteveryday #acrylicpainting #posters #gardenpainting #brooklynpainter
Brooklyn Gardeners, acrylic on adhesive paper; 06/08/2023 #rowhouses #painteveryday #acrylicpainting #posters #gardenpainting #brooklynpainter
7 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Tattoo Dreams 😇 ✨🖼️🎨

Acrylic on adhesive paper. #giantsticker #acrylicpainting
Tattoo Dreams 😇 ✨🖼️🎨

Acrylic on adhesive paper. #giantsticker #acrylicpainting
Tattoo Dreams 😇 ✨🖼️🎨 Acrylic on adhesive paper. #giantsticker #acrylicpainting
7 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫

#paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 

🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
Portrait Roundup 🤠 💫 #paintingsoffriends #acrylicpainting #watercolorportrait #alaprima #oilpaint #paintingsofinstagram #pandemichobby #acrylicportrait #amateurpainter #portraitsoffriends #poetsandwriters #iloveyou 🌈🔥🤙😇😍✍️🤷‍♂️
11 months ago
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9/9