Author: Tanya Boteju

Three new projects!

Excited to share I have three new projects on the go for 2025!

MESSY PERFECT: A YA novel with Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins. Summer, 2025.

Jennifer Ung at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has bought world rights to Messy Perfect by Tanya Boteju (Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens), a YA novel that explores questions of faith, sexuality, and responsibility in the story of overachieving teen Cassie Perera’s efforts to run an underground Gender and Sexuality Alliance and the complications that arise—because not only does she attend a Catholic high school, but she also happens to be closeted. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the two-book deal. (Publishers Weekly)

ALLYSHIP IN 7 ACTS: A middle grade, nonfiction book with Orca Book Publishers. Spring, 2025.

Kirstie Hudson at Orca Books has bought World rights to YA novelist Tanya Boteju’s first work of nonfiction, ALLYSHIP IN 7 ACTS, a guide to help middle grade readers take action in meaningful ways and participate more confidently in social change movements. Publication is scheduled for Spring 2025. Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author. (Publishers Weekly)

An upcoming short story in HOME HAS NO BORDERS: An anthology with HarperTeen. Winter, 2025.

Megan Ilnitzki at HarperTeen has acquired Home Has No Borders, a YA anthology of contemporary short stories by South Asian and diaspora authors that grapple with themes of home and belonging, edited by Samira Ahmed (l.) and Sona Charaipotra, with stories from S.K. Ali, Fatimah Asghar, Tashie Bhuiyan, Tanya Boteju, Tanuja Desai Hidier, Veera Hiranandani, Rajani LaRocca, Sheba Karim, Jasmin Kaur, Anuradha D. Rajurkar, Nisha Sharma, Nikesh Shukla, Navdeep Singh Dhillon, and an author from an open call for submissions. Publication is set for winter 2025; Joanna Volpe and Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal for world rights. (Publishers Weekly)

Upcoming Events

Sept. 23 – Word Vancouver: Standing Up (in conversation with Sabina Khan)

Sept. 24 – Word Vancouver: Coming of Age & Finding Community (in conversation with Rae Spoon & Sabina Khan)

Oct. 6 – Readings, Conversation, & Writing with Robin Stevenson (made possible by The Writers Union of Canada). Register here.

Oct. 15 – Fox Cities Book Festival: Panel

Oct. 22 – Vancouver International Writers Festival: Top Picks for Teachers – New Classics for School Reading with Cherie Dimaline, David A Robertson, & Robin Stevenson (moderator)

Oct. 21 – Surrey International Writers’ Conference: Colourful Characters (master class)

Oct. 24 – Surrey International Writers’ Conference: Writers Block (workshop)

Oct. 24 – Surrey International Writers’ Conference: Writing for Kids (panel)

Nov. 2 – Ottawa Public Library: Teen Workshop

Nov. 27 – Infusion YA Festival: The Magic of Us Panel (moderator)

Nov. 30 – New York Public Library: TeenLIVE Author Talks

Teen Writer in Residence at The FOLD

I’m very excited and honoured to be this year’s Teen Writer in Residence for the FOLD. Join me and many, many other authors at The Festival of Literary Diversity in May for workshops, panels, and more! Event and ticket info can be found here. Consider registering for one of these events while you’re there!