"Here’s to the romantics, the cynics, the heartbroken, the hopeful.
Here’s to everyone who’s ever been in love or will be in love.
Here’s to moonlight kisses and break-up playlists and shouting matches in parking lots.
Here’s to forgiveness and choosing yourself." —Heather Demetrios
Happy Book Birthday to Dear Heartbreak, a must-have anthology about love, loss, and the pain of first hearbreak.
Your 2018 Spoiler-Free Mega Guide to Albertalli Stuff
Deep breath. Big year. I’ve got lots of cool things coming up, so I’m creating this info-packed timeline to help walk you through it!
Ready?
January 30th
SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA: Special Edition Hardcover
Includes:
- 2 pages of black and white movie set photos from my personal collection
-11 pages of conversation transcript with Angie Thomas, Adam Silvera, and me, including the infamous boner story.
-15-page excerpt from THE UPSIDE OF UNREQUITED
-11-page sneak peek of LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT
- and, of course, 19 pages of Simon and Blue’s very first emails.
FAQ:
Where can I preorder/purchase this in the US? Links here.
Where can I preorder/purchase this outside the US? Book Depository
Can I order a signed/personalized copy? Yes! Call FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA or email [email protected], and be sure to request that they hold the book for personalization. They can ship internationally for an additional fee.
Will the special edition bonus content be translated into any other languages? I don’t think so - this content was acquired specifically by my US publisher. I’m so sorry for any frustration!
Will the bonus content be available electronically? As far as I know, no.
Did you write the bonus emails? Yes.
Did you really tell Nick Robinson to enjoy his boner? Yes.
Also January 30th
SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA: Movie Tie-in Paperback
Includes:
-9 pages of me in conversation with Greg Berlanti and Nick Robinson
-4 pages of black and white official stills from the film
-7 page excerpt from the LOVE, SIMON script
-6 page excerpt from THE UPSIDE OF UNREQUITED
-8-page sneak peek of LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT
FAQ:
Where can I preorder/purchase this in the US? Links here.
Where can I preorder/purchase this in the UK/AUS/NZ? Links here. (PLEASE NOTE: At this time, I cannot verify what bonus content may or may not be included in the UK edition.)
Where can I preorder/purchase the US edition in other countries? Book Depository
Can I order a signed/personalized copy? Yes! Call FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA or email [email protected], and be sure to request that they hold the book for personalization. They can ship internationally for an additional fee.
Will the MTI bonus content be translated into any other languages? I don’t think so - this content was acquired specifically by my US publisher. I’m so sorry for any frustration!
Is the text of the book the same as other editions of SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA? Yup, same book!
Will this edition include the Simon/Blue bonus emails as well? No - that’s only in the Special Edition Hardcover.
Will the bonus content be available electronically? As far as I know, no.
Why is the LEAH sneak peek shorter in this edition than in the Special Edition Hardcover and UPSIDE paperback? It’s the same chapter, but it cuts off sooner. This is a different edition with different content.
Can Nick actually sing? Yes.
Also January 30th
THE UPSIDE OF UNREQUITED: paperback edition!
Includes:
-11 page sneak peek of LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT
FAQ:
Where can I preorder/purchase this in the US? Links here.
Where can I preorder/purchase this outside the US? Book Depository
I’m confused - my copy of UPSIDE has always been a paperback. You probably have the UK/AUS/NZ edition, which has been paperback from the beginning.
Can I order a signed/personalized copy? Yes! Call FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA or email [email protected], and be sure to request that they hold the book for personalization. They can ship internationally for an additional fee.
Will I still be able to purchase THE UPSIDE OF UNREQUITED in hardcover if I want. Yes!
Do I need to read SIMON VS before reading UPSIDE? No. You’ll miss a few Easter eggs and references, and UPSIDE occurs chronologically after SIMON in the same universe - but UPSIDE does not spoil Simon (and Simon’s love interest is not mentioned by name in UPSIDE). Many people have read UPSIDE first.
Does this edition include the recipe for edible cookie dough? Nope. Google it!
March 16th
LOVE, SIMON releases in the US!
Trailers:
Full length
Teaser
FAQ:
Is LOVE, SIMON based on a book? Yes. It’s based on my book, SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA.
(This is, in fact, a frequently asked question.)
Is the film being released in my country? I’m afraid I’m not given up-to-date information on international release dates. It is being released widely, and dates have been set for many countries. However, changes to release dates are common, and I’m unable to keep up with that info for every country. I recommend checking IMDB and/or the major film distribution outlets in your country.
How involved were you in the creative process for LOVE, SIMON? Are you happy with the film? My team was very collaborative, and I obsessively love this film. Check out my film-specific FAQ here.
Will there be any early screenings in my city? I’m not involved in organizing screenings, and I usually don’t have up-to-date information on this.
Is Blue’s identity the same in the film? Yes.
Something from the trailer looks different from the book. WHY??? Check out my film-specific FAQ here.
Have you seen the film yet? Yes, and it’s even better than you think it is.
What songs are on the soundtrack? Check out this writeup in EW and preorder the soundtrack here!
Tell me about the cast and crew of the film. Check out my film-specific FAQ here.
Will there be merch?! I don’t know! Hopefully?
Do I need to read the book before I watch the film? I can’t make you, but I hope you'll check out the book either before or after the film!
Would you consider making a film of UPSIDE, LEAH, or WHAT IF IT’S US? I have no control over whether a film gets made of any of my books. I’m sorry!
April 24th
LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT: hardcover
FAQ:
Where can I preorder/purchase this in the US? Links here.
Will it be available in the UK/AUS/NZ at the same time? Yup, via Penguin UK - I just don’t have a link yet.
What about other countries? Translation rights for LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT have already been acquired by multiple countries, but I don’t have updated information yet on their publication dates, covers, and purchase links. In the meantime, you can preorder the English language version from Book Depository.
Can I order a signed/personalized copy? Yes! Call FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA or email [email protected], and be sure to request that they hold the book for personalization. They can ship internationally for an additional fee. There will also be copies signed without personalization at several retailers.
Do I need to read SIMON VS before I read LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT? What about THE UPSIDE OF UNREQUITED? You’ll probably want to read SIMON before LEAH, since Leah’s story is a fairly direct sequel to Simon’s. LEAH definitely spoils the ending of SIMON VS. You’ll miss a few Easter eggs if you haven’t read UPSIDE yet, but it’s not necessary to read UPSIDE first.
Can you send me an advance reader copy of LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT? No ARCs will be available for this book. It’s embargoed until its release date.
Will you be touring for this book? I will be, but I don’t have updated information on that yet.
Will Simon and the rest of the Creekwood High School gang make an appearance in this book? Yes - basically every character you know from SIMON VS makes at least a short appearance. Most make significant appearances. Simon in particular plays a very large role.
I heard Leah might be bi. Is that true? Yup! She’s bi (Simon doesn’t know yet, which is why it’s not mentioned in his book). That said, this book is not about her discovering or coming to terms with bisexuality. She has known she was bi since age eleven.
Nope, you’re not.
Is Leah fat in the book? Yes.
Will you write about <insert character> next? No, it’s very unlikely. The Creekwood gang are graduating seniors in this book, so it feels like a very natural ending point for the Simonverse.
October 9th
WHAT IF IT’S US hardcover, co-written with Adam Silvera
FAQ:
Where can I preorder/purchase this in the US? So far, here!
Will it be available outside the US? Translation rights for WHAT IF IT’S US have already been acquired by multiple countries, but I don’t have updated information yet on their publication dates, covers, and purchase links. In the meantime, you can preorder the US version from Book Depository.
What imprint of HarperCollins is publishing WHAT IF IT’S US? We have two imprints and two editors! WIIU is both a Balzer + Bray book and a HarperTeen book.
Here’s the team! Editor Donna Bray (who has edited all of my books), agent Brooks Sherman, a tall dude, and editor Andrew Eliopulos (who edited Adam’s THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END).
Who wrote Arthur’s sections, and who wrote Ben’s? If you don’t already know, you’ll get a clue in the first line of the book.
Did you know your title is a lyric from a song in DEAR EVAN HANSEN? Yup, that’s intentional.
Will it have a Becky ending or an Adam ending? You’ll have to read to find out! (Seriously, though, if you need to know about possible triggering moments in the book, reach out - we can give more information if you need it to be safe!)
Can I get an Advance Reader Copy? No ARCs are available yet. When they’re available, please reach out to HarperCollins (we won’t be handling ARC requests directly).
Will you be touring for WHAT IF IT’S US? Yes, but we don’t have the details on that yet.
Will this book contain kissing? OH YES.
December TBA
DEAR HEARTBREAK: YA AUTHORS ON THE DARK SIDE OF LOVE (anthology edited by Heather Demetrios)
No FAQ yet, but learn more about this anthology here!
General FAQ:
Will we get a book written from Blue’s POV? No, that’s very unlikely. However, check out this series by Bansheee on Ao3, which is what I would have written, only better. SPOILERS!! Seriously, check out Ao3 for so much incredible, original work in the Simonverse.
Please follow me on Twitter! I’m so sorry - I don’t respond to any follow requests. It’s not personal at all, I promise.
Do you ever intend to write a book about a character from <a particular marginalized community>? This gets complicated! I’ll never say never, but I always want to make sure I can do this character justice before I attempt to write from their POV. For many marginalized communities, mainstream YA representation is so scarce that I am mindful of how much space I’d be taking up by writing outside my lane. That said, writing diverse casts of characters is incredibly important to me, and I hope to get better and better at including thoughtful, nuanced rep of a broad range of communities. It’s also REALLY important to me to read widely and boost the amazing (often #ownvoices - hashtag cr: Corinne Duyvis) work other authors have already put out there. A few fantastic resources: LGBTQReads, Latinx In KidLit, We Need Diverse Books, American Indians In Children’s Literature, Coretta Scott King Book Awards list, Disability in Kidlit, and Rich In Color.
You haven’t replied to my email yet! I know - I’m sorry! I’m super behind. I get lots and lots of emails, and every single one of them makes my day. I will hopefully have the chance to write back to each of the personal ones eventually.
I have a question that wasn’t addressed in this post. Where’s the best place to ask it? Email my assistant, Matthew, at albertalli.requests at gmail.com. He’s much quicker to reply than I am, AND he’s awesome, AND he knows everything.
That is literally Matthew sitting behind Bram Greenfeld. He’s in the movie!
Okay, y’all! That’s the latest. I love you, thanks for reading this far, and don’t forget:
I’m editing this book called DEAR HEARTBREAK: YA WRITERS ON THE DARK SIDE OF LOVE, which will be a collection of anonymous letters from real live teens (as opposed to dead vampire ones, lol) about heartbreak. If your letter is chosen for the book, it will be published (!) with a response letter from a YA author (think Becky Albertalli, Tim Federle, Nina LaCour, Kekla Magoon, and more). It’s like a much, MUCH cooler version of an advice column. Bonus: if your letter is chosen you’ll get a copy of the book signed by the author who wrote back to you. Interested? Keep reading.
Have you ever had your heart broken? Been treated like crap by the person you’re in love with? Been hurt - physically or emotionally - by your girlfriend or boyfriend? Or maybe you feel invisible. Lonely. You feel like no one loves you, like maybe you’ll be alone your whole life. Worried you’ll turn into your divorced parents or your sister who got pregnant when she was fifteen. Maybe someone at home doesn’t respect your body. Maybe YOU don’t respect your body. Maybe you’re tired of being a virgin. Maybe you wish you were a virgin. Here’s your chance to write Heartbreak a letter. Tell us how you feel, ask questions, tell us what it’s like in your messy universe. Tell us why it’s not like the movies. Tell us why you want your happy ending.
This is an anonymous place for secrets and the dark stuff. Or just the wondering stuff (Will anyone ever love you? Will you be that one person who doesn’t get asked to prom? Why does he love HER and not you? Why did she cheat on you? If you tell people you’re gay, will they laugh or be cool about it? If you tell your best friend you love him, will he say he loves you, too - or just walk away?).
Be brave. Be you. Write your heart out.
Go to our lovely online survey to submit your letter. If you have any questions, shoot me an email at [email protected].
Please sign your letter with a pseudonym (fake name) and your age & general location. You know, something like:
Dear Heartbreak,
[Insert deep, heartbreaking letter here]
Love, Confused in Idaho, 16
I can’t wait to see what you’ve got to say - whatever it is, it MATTERS. And it’ll feel really freaking good to let what’s inside out.
P.S. If you want to find out if your letter was selected for the book, please make sure to put your email in the letter - it will remain private, don’t worry.
(via Review: Dear Heartbreak by Heather Demetrios)
Dear Heartbreak by Heather Demetrios is a unique concept for a YA book. The format is an interesting compilation of letters from teens that have important questions about terms of the heart. Many of the responses written by the YA authors are surprising and provide teens with a sense that they are not alone in their feelings.
Happy Thursday! I hope you’re all staying safe and healthy. ❤
This morning I’m back with a review of Dear Heartbreak, a non-fiction anthology written by a group of YA authors.
I hope you enjoy! 😉
Dear Heartbreak by Heather Demetrios (and others)
Genre: Young Adult – Anthology, Non-Fiction
Pages: 304
Publication Date: December 2018
My Rating: 2.75 of 5 stars
Read December 2020
Goodreads…
