Many years ago, I began a prose novel for teens that just never worked, even after multiple rewrites. Later, I tried writing it as a novel in letters. Finally, I began writing it as a verse novel. It took a while to learn this new-to-me form. I took courses with author Cordelia Jensen and later with author Laura Shovan, and they both helped me trust myself and my poetry. Plus, many beta readers helped me hone the text. Now, I’m thrilled to share the news that this story has found a home!

I’m forever grateful to my agent Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown, who has been a passionate champion of this verse novel from her first read. And I’m thrilled to be working with author and editor Sarah Howden, designer Dahlia Yuen, and everyone at Orca Books to bring you Forever Fries. It’s a book of my heart. It’s a book loosely based on personal and family history. It’s a book that I hope will help us all shine our light and celebrate the light in everyone else too.