We chat with author Ngozi Ukazu about Flip, which is a thrilling and fantastical tale about self-acceptance, black girlhood, and how walking a mile in someone else’s shoes can teach you how to finally see yourself.
Hi, Ngozi! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Howdy! My name is Ngozi and I’m a cartoonist from Houston, Texas. If you know me at all, it’s probably because of my webcomic Check, Please! I enjoy taking pop music way too seriously, thinking about the original crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), and jogging. Right now, I’m obsessed with the global girl group Katseye and I’m eagerly awaiting BTS’s post-military service comeback.
When did you first discover your love for writing and illustrating?
In the fourth grade, when I assembled a writer’s room to create illustrated joke books during lunch and recess. We ran our operation with military precision. I’m still awaiting some sort of recognition or prize for our efforts.
Your latest graphic novel, Flip, is out September 23rd ! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A chaotic, earnest, self-love romp. (That’s five words!!)
What can readers expect?
Readers of Check, Please! can expect a heartwarming story filled with friendship and humor, and following a protagonist discovering their inner strength. Most importantly, I created a kpop band from scratch, so expect that.
Where did the inspiration for Flip come from?
As a first generation scholarship student who went to Yale for undergrad, I often internalized feeling invisible—especially when it came to crushes. So Flip started with several questions. As a teen, why did I not feel seen? Why did I want the attention of others, or to be validated by a white gaze or a male gaze? What was I missing in becoming fluent in my own self-worth? Why did I not have the power to validate myself? Chi-Chi’s story in Flip is the answer to that.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I love writing about Chi-Chi’s best friends, Esther and Yesenia. Like Chi-Chi, they’re Black teeangers who are super intelligent and nerdy, but distinct from Chi-Chi in the way they move through the world with confidence. They’re Chi-Chi’s greatest cheerleaders, and show that there are many ways to be a “blerd.”
Can you tell us a bit about your approach in illustrating a new graphic novel?
Illustrating a new graphic novel starts with tons of visual research, and sketching the characters and settings. I end up doing a lot of “writing” during these investigative sketch sessions. The primordial scenes of the book bubble up when you’re pushing a character’s expression for the first time, for example. “What could make Chi-Chi look this sad? Maybe Flip becomes super joyous just like this in the second half of the book…”
Did you face any challenges whilst writing and illustrating? How did you overcome them?
I always have trouble over-explaining. I wrote this graphic novel during the height of the pandemic, when I was feeling disconnected, so I filled that vacuum with drafts that had superfluous dialogue. I sent these drafts to cartoonist friends who helped trim them down.
What’s next for you?
ORION, the sequel to BARDA, will be in bookstores summer 2026. I’m also serializing a queer romantic comedy novel called JOHN RICH & THE BIG PICTURE this fall. (Follow at okjohnrich.tumblr.com!)
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
It’s not a book, but a comic strip. And I’m not even a comic strip girlie. I’ve been awakened to the deep lore within the panels HEATHCLIFF, and I recommend that others follow the exploits of this weird cat.
