Join Young Adult authors Kristina Forest, Lauren Gibaldi, Farah Naz Rishi, and Eric Smith for the launch of First-Year Orientation, a new anthology publishing with Candlewick Press. The four authors will talk about how anthologies are put together, read pages from their stories, and answer questions. Afterwards, get a book signed, and hang around for snacks!
About the Authors:
Kristina Forest is the critically acclaimed author of romance books for both teens and adults. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School and she lives in New Jersey, where she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf. Her novels include I Wanna Be Where You Are, Now That I've Found You, Zyla & Kai, and her debut adult novel, The Neighbor Favor.
Lauren Gibaldi is a public librarian and author of the young adult novels The Night We Said Yes, Autofocus, and This Tiny Perfect World. With Eric Smith she co-edited the anthologies Battle of the Bands and the First-Year Orientation.
Farah Naz Rishi (she/they) is a Pakistani-American voice actor and author of I Hope You Get This Message and It All Comes Back to You. But in another life, she’s worked stints as a lawyer, a video game journalist, and an editorial assistant. When she’s not writing, she’s probably hanging out with video game characters. You can find her at home in Philadelphia, or on TikTok at @farahnazrishi.
Eric Smith is a literary agent and Young Adult author living here in Philadelphia. As an agent with P.S. Literary, he’s worked on New York Times bestselling and award-winning books.
His recent novels include the YALSA Best Books for Young Readers selection Don’t Read the Comments (Inkyard Press, 2020), You Can Go Your Own Way (Inkyard Press, 2021), and the anthology Battle of the Bands (Candlewick, 2021), co-edited with award-winning author Lauren Gibaldi.
His latest book, Jagged Little Pill: The Novel, was written with Alanis Morissette, Academy award-winner Diablo Cody, and Glen Ballard, and is an adaptation of the Grammy and Tony award winning musical.
His upcoming books include the YA rom-com With or Without You (Inkyard Press, November 2023) and the anthology First-Year Orientation (Candlewick, April 2023) with Lauren Gibaldi.