* denotes BIPOC author
+ denotes disabled author
^ denotes LGBTQIA+ author
+ denotes disabled author
^ denotes LGBTQIA+ author
Robin Alvarez*
Book: When Oceans Rise Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: Creative James Media Release Date: May 23, 2023 Author Website: robinalvarez.com Robin Alvarez is a beach bum living in the desert with her husband and two kids. She has worked in news stations, made TV commercials, edited high-end wedding videos, crafted industrial animations, been a photographer, a painter, and an English teacher. After having kids, she switched to working from home by teaching Chinese students online and returned to school to get her masters in creative writing. Robin was co-editor of the literary magazine The Sage, in which her short stories have been published. She has written for The Bend Business, and she works at Sul Ross University. In her free time, Robin enjoys watching K-dramas while doing face masks, singing karaoke poorly, making her kids costumes, and swimming with her family. |
Alena Bruzas^
Book: Ever Since Genre: YA Contemporary Publisher: Penguin Release Date: May 23, 2023 Author Website: alenabruzas.com Alena Bruzas grew up in Seattle, spent some time in Olympia, and somehow ended up in Lincoln, Nebraska. She writes books for teens and adults of all sorts, and hopes her writing finds the people who need it most. When she’s not writing she volunteers for progressive nonprofits and sometimes makes dinner for her family, when she’s not too busy worrying about commas and wandering the prairie. |
Tamika Burgess*
Book: Sincerely Sicily Genre: MG Contemporary Publisher: Harper Collins Release Date: January 3, 2023 Author Website: TamikaBurgess.com Tamika Burgess is a storyteller with over a decade of novel, TV/film, and personal essay writing experience. Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, Tamika has always taken a particular interest in writing themes that explore her Black Latina identity. Because of her passion for spreading the knowledge of Black Panamanian culture, Tamika has been featured on various websites, podcasts, and panels. When she is not writing, Tamika is somewhere cozy online shopping and listening to a podcast. Tamika resides in sunny Southern California. Learn more about Tamika at TamikaBurgess.com |
Gabi Burton*
Book: Sing Me to Sleep Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: Bloomsbury Release Date: June 27, 2023 Author Website: gabiburton.com Gabi Burton grew up reading and writing in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to Maine where she graduated from Bowdoin College. She now works as a paralegal and author on the East Coast. When she’s not working, writing, or reading, she’s probably watching Netflix, scrolling Twitter, or finding beautiful places to walk—preferably near a body of water. |
Kara H.L. Chen*
Book: Love and Resistance Genre: YA Contemporary Publisher: Quill Tree Release Date: July 4, 2023 Author Website: karahlchen.com What's Next: Asking for a Friend (July 23, 2024) Kara H.L. Chen is a Taiwanese American writer who received her MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. She grew up in Ohio, but now lives with her husband and two daughters in a place with much less snow. |
Federico Erebia*+^
Book: Pedro & Daniel Genre: YA Historical Publisher: Levine Querido Release Date: June 6, 2023 Author Website: FJEbooks.com Federico Erebia is a retired physician, artist, furniture designer, author and illustrator. He lives in MA with his husband, and their Westie and Whippet. |
Claire Forrest+
Book: Where You See Yourself Genre: YA Contemporary Publisher: Scholastic Release Date: May 2, 2023 Author Website: claireforrest.com Claire Forrest is a novelist and essayist who holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. Where You See Yourself is based on her lived experience as a wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy. As an undergraduate at Grinnell College, she was a consultant for the Disability Services and Admissions offices, working directly to address the concerns of incoming college students with disabilities and their families. She lives in Minneapolis, where when she’s not writing, she spends her time swimming and planning where to travel next. |
RaeChell Garrett*
Book: Promposal Genre: YA Romance Publisher: Poppy/Little, Brown Release Date: April 4, 2023 Author Website: raechellgarrett.com RaeChell Garrett has written everything from marketing plans to health insurance benefit schedules, but she much prefers writing novels about the ups and downs of carefree girls finding their way in the world. She lives in Michigan where she’s likely to be found trying a new recipe, talking sports with her husband or philosophizing on life with her two teenagers. Promposal is her debut. |
Gigi Griffis+^
Book: The Wicked Unseen Genre: YA Horror Publisher: Underlined Release Date: June 20, 2023 Author Website: gigigriffis.com What's Next: We are the Beasts (2024) Gigi Griffis is the author of the Netflix tie-in novel The Empress and YA horror The Wicked Unseen, among other things. She's a sucker for little-known histories, "unlikeable" female characters, and all things Europe. After almost ten years of semi-nomadic life, she now lives in Portugal with an opinionated Yorkie-mix named Luna and a fancy blender that costs more than her couch. Gigi's work has been translated into 17+ languages and featured in WestJet Magazine, Get Lost Magazine, Fodor's Guidebooks, and more. |
Maura Jortner+
Book: 102 Days of Lying About Lauren Genre: MG Contemporary Publisher: Holiday House Release Date: June 20, 2023 Author Website: maurajortner.com/ What's Next: Keepers of the Marsh (Summer 2025) Maura Jortner teaches classes in literature and creative writing at Baylor University. Her favorite part of the job is nerding out about books with students. She was born in NH but now resides in Waco, TX with her patient husband, two amazing daughters, and cat that knows tricks ("shake," "dance," high-five"). 102 DAYS OF LYING ABOUT LAUREN is her debut novel. |
Jackie Khalilieh*+
Book: Something More Genre: YA Contemporary Publisher: Tundra Release Date: June 6, 2023 Author Website: jackiekhalilieh.com Jackie Khalilieh is a Palestinian-Canadian writer with a love of nineties pop culture, Dad jokes, and warm and fuzzy romance. Like many autistic females, she received her diagnosis as an adult. She is passionate about positive representation within her writing. She currently resides just outside Toronto, Canada with her husband and two daughters, complaining nightly about having to cook dinner. Something More is her debut YA novel. |
Cliff Lewis
Book: We the Future Genre: MG Sci-Fi Publisher: Jolly Fish Release Date: April 18, 2023 Author Website: heyclifflewis.com/ Cliff Lewis is a time-traveler from the 1990s, presently parked in the 2020s. He’s a professional writer, a hometown story-slam winner, and a keynote speaker living in Pennsylvania with his wife, their two kids, and a little dog named Pippin. In his spare time, Cliff volunteers for local progressive organizations, which once led to a crew of young climate activists devouring all of his family’s traditional election-day chili. |
M.K. Lobb
Book: Seven Faceless Saints Genre: YA Fantasy Publisher: Little, Brown Release Date: February 7, 2023 Author Website: mklobb.com/ M. K. Lobb is a fantasy writer with a love of all things dark— be it literature, humour, or general aesthetic. She grew up in small-town Ontario and studied political science at both the University of Western Ontario and the University of Ottawa. She now lives by the lake with her partner and their cats. When not reading or writing, she can be found at the gym or contemplating the harsh realities of existence. Her debut novel SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS will be published February 7, 2023 by Little, Brown (Hachette). The sequel, DISCIPLES OF CHAOS, will follow in early 2024. M. K. is represented by Claire Friedman at InkWell Management. |
Amber Morrell+^
Book: The Alchemy of Letting Go Genre: MG Contemporary Fantasy Publisher: Albert Whitman Release Date: April 27, 2023 Author Website: ambermorrell.com Amber Morrell is an author and librarian hailing from Southern California. She writes whimsical fantasy and science fiction for children and adults. Her work explores the liminal spaces between science and magic. In her free time, she plays D&D, watches Star Trek, and makes TikTok videos about esoteric knowledge. The Alchemy of Letting Go is her first novel. |
Wendy Parris
Book: Field of Screams Genre: MG Horror Publisher: Delacorte Release Date: August 1, 2023 Author Website: wendyparris.com What's Next: Stage Fright (Fall 2024) Wendy Parris grew up in the Midwest loving books and hoping to glimpse a ghost. After graduating from Northwestern University, she acted in small Chicago theaters, performed improv comedy, and worked in public relations. She lives in Illinois with her family in an old house that is probably not haunted. |
Elle Gonzalez Rose^
Book: Caught in a Bad Fauxmance Genre: YA Romcom Publisher: Joy Revolution Release Date: December 5, 2023 Author Website: ellegonzalezrose.com What's Next: 10 Things I Hate About Prom (May 14, 2024) Elle Gonzalez Rose is a producer and author from New York who’s better at writing love stories about short, queer Boricuas than she is at writing bios. Her dog thinks she’s okay. Caught in a Bad Fauxmance is her debut novel—Elle’s, not the dog’s. |
Rhonda Roumani*
Book: Tagging Freedom Genre: MG Contemporary Publisher: Union Square & Co. Release Date: Fall 2023 Author Website: rhondaroumani.com Rhonda Roumani is a Syrian-American journalist and author of picture books and middle grade novels. She writes books that center Arab and Muslim characters, challenge assumptions, and that lie on the fringes of more dominant narratives. When she isn’t writing, reading or binge-watching a new series, Rhonda enjoys long walks, cooking communally, and dancing and laughing with family and friends. She lives in New Haven, CT with her husband and two kids. |
Lisa Springer*
Book: There's No Way I'd Die First Genre: YA Horror Comedy Publisher: Delacorte Release Date: September 5, 2023 Author Website: lisaspringerbooks.com Growing up on the island of Barbados, Lisa has always loved books and storytelling. Bring on the adventure, the spooky and mysterious - she loves creating worlds readers can get lost in. When not writing, she's probably reading or dreaming about the beach. She currently lives in New York City with her family. She is represented by Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency |
Anna Sortino+
Book: Give Me a Sign Genre: YA Romance Publisher: Putnam Release Date: July 11, 2023 Author Website: www.annasortino.com What's Next: On the Bright Side Anna Sortino is a young adult author who writes stories about disabled characters falling in love and living their lives. She's Deaf and passionate about diverse representation in media. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Anna has since lived coast to coast across the country, spending her free time exploring nature with her dog or reading on the couch with her cat. Give Me a Sign is her debut novel. |
Miranda Sun*
Book: If I Have to Be Haunted Genre: YA Contemporary Fantasy Publisher: HarperTeen Release Date: September 26, 2023 Author Website: themirandasun.com Miranda Sun is a storyteller by nature and wordsmith by trade. Her work has been recognized by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville, nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize, and published by Ghost City Press, Red Queen, Blue Marble Review, and more. A Pitch Wars 2020 mentee, she is represented by Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Her debut novel IF I HAVE TO BE HAUNTED releases from HarperCollins in 2023. She dreams of one day returning to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. |
Priyanka Taslim*
Book: The Love Match Genre: YA Romcom Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Salaam Reads Release Date: January 3, 2023 Author Website: priyankataslim.com Priyanka Taslim is a writer, teacher, and lifelong New Jersey resident. Having grown up in a bustling Bangladeshi diaspora community, surrounded by her mother’s entire clan and many aunties of no relation, her writing often features families, communities, and all the drama therein. Currently, Priyanka teaches by day and tells all kinds of stories about Bangladeshi characters by night. Her writing usually stars spunky Bengali heroines finding their place in the world…and a little swoony romance, too. Her debut young adult novel, THE LOVE MATCH, is releasing from Salaam Reads, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, January 2023. |
Edward Underhill^
Book: Always the Almost Genre: YA Romance Publisher: Wednesday Books Release Date: February 14, 2023 Author Website: edward-underhill.com What's Next: This Day Changes Everything (February 13, 2024) Edward Underhill (he/him) is a queer trans man who grew up in the suburbs of Wisconsin, where he could not walk to anything, which meant he had to make up his own adventures. He studied music composition in college at the Oberlin Conservatory, and earned a masters in film music composition at NYU. After a few years living in very tiny apartments in New York, he moved to California, where by day he writes music and by night he writes stories. When not doing either of these things, he’s probably gardening or hanging out with his cat. |
Lauren Yero*
Book: Under This Forgetful Sky Genre: YA Speculative Publisher: Atheneum / Simon & Schuster Release Date: July 18, 2023 Author Website: laurenyero.com Lauren Yero is a Cuban American writer who was born in Florida and now lives in the mountains of western North Carolina. Her desire to connect more deeply with her Cuban roots led her to study and work throughout the Spanish-speaking world—including Chile, where she drew inspiration for her debut novel UNDER THIS FORGETFUL SKY. In addition to writing, she works as a teacher and shares a small homestead with her husband, two kids, two pups, ten chickens, five geese, two ducks, and a couple hundred thousand honeybees. |
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