Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of Take My Hand (2022), which was awarded an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association, and a Fiction award from the Black Caucus American Library Association, and was long-listed for the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award. A three-time nominee for a United States Artists Fellowship, Dolen is widely considered a preeminent chronicler of American historical life.

Happy Land delves into the nearly forgotten Kingdom of the Happy Land, established by former slaves in 1873. What drew you to this piece of history, and how did you first come across it?

I discovered this history while researching old time musicians in western North Carolina. I was hoping to find Black banjo players in the old time tradition in and around Asheville or Hendersonville when I discovered the kingdom. I had heard of Black intentional communities before, but I had never heard of one that imagined itself a kingdom and called its people royalty. I was immediately intrigued!

Given the limited literature on the Kingdom of the Happy Land, what challenges did you face during your research, and how did you overcome them to reconstruct this community’s story?

The biggest challenge may have been the constant references in the media and elsewhere to a 1957 pamphlet written by North Carolina historian Sadie Smathers Patton. So many people had relied upon this pamphlet as the “official” history that it took some digging around to figure out what was true and what was untrue. Some of Patton’s main points turned out to be erroneous. I worked with two brilliant Hendersonville residents, Suzanne Hale and Ronnie Pepper to dig through the archives. We combed newspaper articles, death certificates, land records, and more to piece together the puzzle the best we could.

How did you navigate the line between historical accuracy and creative storytelling in Happy Land? Were there specific elements you felt essential to fictionalize to convey the community’s essence?

I consider myself a historian and a storyteller, so both the historical record and the imaginative leaps are equally important to me. I thought it was important to correct Patton’s record and accurately describe why the kingdomfolk left South Carolina and moved to the mountains. It was important to portray their industriousness and desire to work, pool resources, and purchase the land for themselves. The contemporary storyline is pure imagination as I was trying to capture the significance of this historical experiment to current generations.

Can you share insights into your writing routine for Happy Land? Did the process differ from your previous works?

The late Tina McElroy Ansa once advised me to “trust the process.” I’ve taken that advice to heart, and now I understand what I need to do to get a book done. So my routine is the same—do the research, begin writing a draft, do more research. I’ve been fortunate to work with my editor, Amanda Bergeron at Berkley Books, for my last two books and she has been a muse. Our conversations greatly enriched Happy Land, and I’m grateful for her.

For writers struggle with finding fresh angles on historical fiction. What advice do you have for writers looking to uncover forgotten or overlooked historical moments to inspire their storytelling?

I would say that you can’t look for a story. It has to find you. I consume a lot of information, whether it’s reading newspapers, nonfiction, or just browsing the Internet. Every day, I read something fascinating. But it’s rare that one of those ideas is a golden nugget. I would say just be human and observe the world around you. The ideas will come.

What are your key techniques for making historical settings, characters, and dialogue feel vivid and authentic while maintaining accessibility for modern readers?

I’m a professor of Creative Writing, so I know some techniques for creating authentic dialogue and writing description. Having said that, at the end of the day, a lot of writing has to do with the natural “ear.” I once read that the late playwright August Wilson would ride the bus around Seattle and just listen to random strangers’ conversations. The thought of him doing that inspired me. When I’m home in Memphis, I try to listen carefully. I think fiction writers can learn a lot from dramatists. I once spent an entire summer reading plays.

What insights can you share with emerging writers about breaking into the industry, particularly for those writing historical fiction?

The historical fiction world is filled with well-trained writers—folks with Ph.Ds in history and who speak multiple languages. I have never been so impressed as I have been in a room of historical novelists. I love this community, and you will, too. If you love it, you will make it. Just don’t give up.

What did writing Happy Land teach you about storytelling or the writing craft that you didn’t know before?

This is a good question! I’ve realized that every place I write about I’ve fallen in love with the place. First it was Ohio, the birthplace of the late Toni Morrison. Then I was smitten by Chicago. Next was Montgomery, Alabama. This time, I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with western North Carolina. I never knew that storytelling would take me into these uniquely wonderful American towns where I would find such good people and warm welcomes.

What strategies have worked best for you in building a readership and keeping readers engaged between books?

I try to answer every e-mail, especially if someone writes me just after finishing the book. I’m open and straightforward with my readers, and they know that. I’m so grateful to have a readership that I cherish every single person that takes the time to read my words.

What are you working on next?

It’s too early to say. I’m still in the research phase.

Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

When Nikki visits her estranged grandmother in the hills of North Carolina, she expects to uncover family secrets but instead learns of a lost kingdom—The Kingdom of the Happy Land—once ruled by her ancestor, Luella. As she unearths the ruins and history of this community of freed people, Nikki realizes that her identity and heritage are deeply tied to the land, and she must fight to protect it before it is lost forever. Inspired by true events, Happy Land is a sweeping multi-generational novel about legacy, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

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