Called a “YA rebel-author” by Kirkus Reviews, Barry Lyga has published twenty-seven novels in various genres in his seventeen-year career, including the New York Times bestselling I Hunt Killers, called by the LA Times “one of the more daring concepts in recent years by a young-adult author” and an “extreme and utterly alluring narrative about nature versus nurture.” His books have been or are slated to be published in more than a dozen different languages in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

After graduating from Yale with a degree in English, Lyga worked in the comic book industry before quitting to pursue his lifelong love of writing. In 2006, his first young adult novel, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, was published to rave reviews, including starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal. Publishers Weekly named Lyga a “Flying Start” in December 2006 on the strength of the debut.

His second young adult novel, Boy Toy, received starred reviews in SLJ, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus. VOYA gave it its highest critical rating, and the Chicago Tribune called it “…an astounding portrayal of what it is like to be the young male victim.” His third novel, Hero-Type, according to VOYA “proves that there are still fresh ideas and new, interesting story lines to be explored in young adult literature.”

Since then, he has also written Goth Girl Rising (the sequel to his first novel), as well as the Archvillain series for middle-grade readers, the graphic novel Mangaman (with art by Colleen Doran), the Flash series of novels, and the origin of Thanos for the MCU.

Lyga lives near New York City with his wife, Morgan Baden, their nigh-omnipotent daughter, and their preternaturally chill son. His comic book collection is a lot smaller than it used to be, but is still way too big.

School Visit Presentations

Assembly-Style (45min)

Barry Lyga: The Long Road to Becoming an Overnight Success and What I Learned Along the Way

Barry shares his early beginnings of wanting to be a writer but no one knew how to support that so he was on his own. As a result, he floundered for years before finally figuring out how to make it happen for himself. He discusses the things he wishes, he’d known at a younger age, the two or three key, simple notions that would have changed the course of his life. He likes to close with some research fun facts he learned while writing the I HUNT KILLERS series and Q&A!

Writing Workshop (60min)

Barry Lyga: I don’t know how to teach writing…but I know how to talk about writing!

In this presentation, Barry walks the students through his process of writing, pointing out frequently that it’s not the process that matters, ultimately, but the final result. Reminding students that they’re all capable of writing in their own unique and stylized way. He shares tips that have worked for him in writing a New York Times bestselling series.

Sample Keynote

RISK is my Favorite Four-Letter Word

In Barry Lyga’s keynote presentation, he discusses the risks both good and bad that he has taken in his career, which led him to the New York Times bestseller list and to a book that almost ended his career. And to the place where he is today. Barry takes you along on his journey and challenges you to take your own risks. In life there are no rewards without risks.

Website

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