Viking sashays away with Bimini Bon Boulash's guide to life

Viking has snatched up a book on the transformative power of drag from east London contender on "Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK" season two, Bimini Bon Boulash.

In A Drag Queen’s Guide to Life, Bon Boulash shares 10 life lessons she has learned from drag, accompanied by pen and ink illustrations from Jules Scheele. Scheele is also a graphic facilitator and comic book artist. They have been making artwork and zines about identity and queerness for over a decade, and also illustrated Queer: A Graphic History (Icon) and its follow-ups with author Meg-John Barker.

The synopsis explains: "With all her wit, charm and kindness, [Bon Boulash] will explore what her life in drag has taught her about identity, politics, history, health and fashion, and shares not only her own inspiring story but the stories of the non-conformists—fellow queens, musicians, fashion designers and more—who have inspired her." 

Commenting on the book, Bon Boulash said: "This book is an absolute ‘Don’t wake me if I’m dreaming' moment, and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Think of this as your anti self-help book; a manifesto that won’t make you feel bad when you don’t do things perfectly, and encourage you to be kind to yourself always!"

World rights were acquired by editorial director Tom Killingbeck, and editorial assistant Susannah Bennett, from Adam Muddle, m.d. at Profile Talent UK.

The publisher described Bon Boulash as "undeniably [the show's] breakout star—an uncompromising queen from east London with the pout of Kate Moss and the punk spirit of Vivienne Westwood. More than just being riotously entertaining, Bimini has used the show to bring to light what it means to be non-binary, has unflinchingly tackled political issues facing young queer people, and has opened up about her own personal struggles and how she used drag to overcome them."

Commenting on the acquisition, Killingbeck said: "Working on this project with Bimini has already brought so much joy to all of us at Viking. This book is full of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, and will be a much-needed riposte to bestselling treatises from buttoned-up psychologists telling us how to live ordered lives. We can’t wait to serve beautifully illustrated, gloss-jacketed demi hardback realness this Christmas."

Bennett said: "Growing up as a queer kid, I would have hugely benefited from a book like this, so I’m incredibly excited to be working with Bimini to bring her book to life. It’ll be a witty and affirming resource for any non-conformists, gender-benders, or cis-tem offenders out there who need it."