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WORK TITLE: Twelve Steps to Normal
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://farrahpenn.com/
CITY: Los Angeles
STATE: CA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in TX.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author.
AVOCATIONS:YA books, her dog, pineapple pizza, hiking, Groupon browsing, Netflix binges.
WRITINGS
Contributor to Buzzfeed.
SIDELIGHTS
Farrah Penn works mainly as a writer. While the majority of her work can be found on BuzzFeed, Penn has previously stated on the Author Mentor Match website that she has held a long term interest in publishing her very own novel. In addition to creating her own work, she also seeks to help young authors as they write their own stories.
Twelve Steps to Normal is Penn’s introductory work. The novel stars a young girl by the name of Kira, whose life has been shaken by circumstances beyond her control. Kira had previously moved away from her original home, after her father’s struggle with alcohol dependency became too severe for him to care for her. The move was a hard enough challenge for Kira to face, and caused her to isolate herself from everyone she knew back home. After a year, her father has gotten sober, granting Kira the ability to come back to town and pick back up with her previous life. However, she soon finds she must contend with several new challenges. First, her friend circle has shifted, as her friend has suddenly taken up with the boy Kira used to date. Second, the house that used to belong to just her and her father has gained a swath of new residents—namely, the some of the patients Kira’s father met while seeking addiction treatment. Kira feels the sole individual she has to rely on is one of her few remaining old friends, but the realization that she may be developing an attraction to him throws her further off-kilter. As Kira tries to navigate her new life, she is forced to come to several revelations about her situation and the best way to proceed. In an issue of Kirkus Reviews, one contributor called Twelve Steps to Normal “a smart recommendation for readers looking to escape into a substantive world of personal discovery.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer felt that the book “emphasize[s] the importance of support and forgiveness.” Lisa Ehrle, a writer in School Library Journal, commented: “This is good choice for those seeking realism that isn’t too disturbing.” A contributor to the Hedgehog Book Reviews website said: “Farrah Penn represented the recovery process and community well and Kira’s path to understanding her dad’s illness was perfectly crafted.” She added: “If you’re interested in reading about the realities of having a loved one who struggles with alcoholism, please put Twelve Steps to Normal on your reading list.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2018, review of Twelve Steps to Normal.
Publishers Weekly, Dec. 18, 2017, review of Twelve Steps to Normal, p. 131.
School Library Journal, January, 2018, Lisa Ehrle, review of Twelve Steps to Normal, p. 82.
ONLINE
Author Mentor Match, http://authormentormatch.com/ (March 28, 2018), author profile.
Farrah Penn Website, http://farrahpenn.com (March 28, 2018), author profile.
Hedgehog Book Reviews, https://hedgehogbookreviews.com/ (February 11, 2018), review of Twelve Steps to Normal.
Farrah Penn was born and raised in a suburb in Texas that's far from the big city, but close enough to Whataburger. She now resides in Los Angeles, CA, with her gremlin dog and succulents. When she's not writing books, she can be found writing things for BuzzFeed and sending texts that contain too many emojis. Twelve Steps to Normal is her first novel.
BIO
Farrah Penn was born and raised in a suburb in Texas that’s far from the big city, but close enough to Whataburger. She now resides in Los Angeles, CA with her gremlin dog and succulents. When she’s not writing books, she can be found writing things for BuzzFeed and sending texts that contain too many emojis. 12 STEPS TO NORMAL is her first novel.
PUBLISHING BACKGROUND
I’m not an “overnight success story.” My journey to publishing was a long one, so I have much admiration and respect for persistent writers! This industry is so tough, y’all. I’ll try and keep this quick: I queried a contemporary in 2010 that didn’t get any bites, then wrote a dystopian YA in 2011 that landed me my agent, Suzie Townsend. That dystopian YA was on sub for several months with a R&R that didn’t go anywhere, so I decided to move on and ended up writing a mystery YA in 2012. That also got one R&R, but no offers. I started working on a contemporary in 2013-2014, but basically decided I wasn’t emotionally ready to finish it. After a big move and job changes, I slowly tinkered with another book that seemed to want to pour out of me. That was 12 STEPS TO NORMAL. Luckily Suzie loved it enough to help me work on *much* needed revisions, and we decided it was ready to go out September 2016. 22 days later, it’d sold! I’d love to do my best to help you on your journey, too.
EXPERIENCE
I’ve never mentored before, so I guarantee I’m just as nervous as you! I do have editing experience and am lucky enough to write creatively as my day job. I’m extremely familiar with both agent and editor revision/editorial letters and would say I can give pretty great feedback as far as what’s working and what’s not. I have a few critique partners that I’ve been able to help out in this way, too. I also like to think I’m good at giving both big picture and small detail revisions and edits as well!
OVERVIEW
I’m Farrah, and on top of having a healthy obsession with my dog, I also have a healthy obsession with YA books! I read all across the board, but I’m mainly a contemporary addict. I love swoony moments, witty banter, and characters I’ll want to follow to the very last page. I also love mystery, suspense, and unexpected twists. Stories that move me and grab on tightly to my emotions have a special place in my heart. I’m open-minded and positive, but can be found hugging my dog on a bad day. I am also fluent in emoji.
UGH, IT’S SO TOUGH OUT THERE. I truly wish I had someone to turn to when I was in the beginning stages of writing and querying. The internet is a beautiful place that is able to offer us blogs, vlogs, and breakdowns on tons of topics in the industry, but it feels different coming from someone who knows you and your story, you know? I feel like it can make a huge difference giving encouragement during the lows and sharing in the joy during the highs. More than that, I want to help make your story stronger *without* diminishing your voice. I’d love to help in any way that I can! (Even if it’s in the form of providing puppy gifs on a bad day, tbh.)
Contemporary
Mystery/Thriller
Magical Realism/Fabulism
LGBTQIA
Romance
What I love:
Voice-y characters (think Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway)
Witty/banter (think anything by Stephanie Perkins, tbh)
Emotional journeys (less like the Bachelor and more like The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon)
Swoony moments that don’t feel cheesy
Character depth that makes me FEEL (anything by Adam Silvera and Jeff Zentner)
Immersive setting (anything by Julie Murphy)
Suspenseful pacing
Unexpected twists, but in a way that makes sense (Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson)
What I dislike:
Insta-love
Not getting to know characters on a deeper level
Outcomes that don’t payoff
Anything anti-feminist or weak woman characters
Hi! I’m Farrah. I create content for BuzzFeed dot com, and I also write YA books! I was born and raised in Texas, lived in few different cities in Arizona, and currently call Los Angeles, California home.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy binging Netflix shows, browsing the travel section on Groupon, and hiking with my dog. His name is Gizmo. I also unapologetically like pineapple on my pizza and hate pickles. Currently on a mission to find the best queso in California.
I’m represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media. My debut novel is called 12 STEPS TO NORMAL and will be published by Jimmy Patterson/Little, Brown. If you’d like, you can learn more here!
You can also find me on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram.
Thanks for stopping by!
Penn, Farrah: TWELVE STEPS TO NORMAL
Kirkus Reviews. (Jan. 15, 2018):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Penn, Farrah TWELVE STEPS TO NORMAL Jimmy Patterson/Little, Brown (Children's Fiction) $17.99 3, 13 ISBN: 978-0-316-47160-2
The 12 steps to sobriety are tough; the 12 steps to repairing high school friendships are also difficult.
After a year away, Kira is returning home to small-town Cedarville, Texas, to once again live with her recovering-alcoholic father in the house they once shared with Kira's late grandmother. The white teen's re-entry stumbles immediately when she learns that some of her father's fellow rehab patients are staying there too. Kira also needs to work on rekindling friendships with her friends, as she avoided contact with them after she left. Then there's Jay, Kira's ex-boyfriend, who has moved on in Kira's absence to friend Whitney. What's a girl to do? In Kira's case, the answer is to create her own 12-step program to return to a normal life. Penn creates a realistic character in Kira, one who finely balances the rational thoughts of a child of addiction with the emotional struggles of a high school student. Kira's journey should speak to many teenage readers, even those who do not have firsthand experience with addiction or addicts. All of the characters (there are some people of color among Kira's friends) are captured with a sophisticated eye and create a well-rounded story. Latino Alex--a friend-turned-love-interest--may be too good to be true, but readers will probably easily forgive that. An author's note offers resources.
A smart recommendation for readers looking to escape into a substantive world of personal discovery. (foreword) (Fiction. 12-16)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Penn, Farrah: TWELVE STEPS TO NORMAL." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2018. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A522642932/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=32d24f89. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A522642932
Twelve Steps to Normal
Publishers Weekly. 264.52 (Dec. 18, 2017): p131.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Twelve Steps to Normal
Farrah Penn. LB/Patterson, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-316-47160-2
Sixteen-year-old Kira moves back home after eight months of living with her aunt in Oregon while her father was in rehab. Back in Texas, Kira is happy to reunite with her best friends Lin, Whitney, and Raegan, and she hopes to reconnect with her ex-boyfriend, Jay. What she doesn't expect is that her father has opened up their home to three other recovering alcoholics he met at rehab. Kira is upset by her father's choice in roommates and does her best to keep the situation secret, but Lin knows Kira is hiding something, and Whitney is now dating Jay. Meanwhile, Kira's middle school crush, Alex, is starting to feel like the only person she can talk to. Debut novelist Penn uses her own experience with an alcoholic father (discussed in an author's note) as a basis for Kira's relationship with her father--or, rather, the relationship she wishes she had with him. Penn is open about the fact that her story doesn't address some of the harsher aspects of addition and relapse, but it does emphasize the importance of support and forgiveness. Ages 14-up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Twelve Steps to Normal." Publishers Weekly, 18 Dec. 2017, p. 131. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A520578962/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=fc4f0f38. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A520578962
PENN, Farrah. Twelve Steps to Normal
Lisa Ehrle
School Library Journal. 64.1 (Jan. 2018): p82+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
PENN, Farrah. Twelve Steps to Normal. 320p. Little, Brown/Jimmy Patterson. Mar. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316471602.
Gr 7 Up--Penn presents the dilemma of being a child of a recovering alcoholic with heart, melancholy, and an uplifting ending. Kira moves to Portland, OR from Texas where her dad is in an addiction rehab clinic. While away, Kira's embarrassment and despair lead to her cutting off her friends, breaking up with her bojiriend, and basically shutting down. Her homecoming to Texas upon her dad's release does not turn out as planned. She wants to pick up where she left off; unfortunately, too many wounds exist with family and friends. Paramount to Kira's struggle are her new roommates--Kira hadn't realized she'd be sharing her home with three other recovering alcoholics. Plus, her best friend is dating her former boyfriend while Kira herself has new romantic feelings for a childhood friend. Forced to face her own demons, the teen comes to understand that things can't go back; but with patience and acceptance, she can move for ward. This is good choice for those seeking realism that isn't too disturbing. The book's tame and light romance with a dose of reality is a good bridge for middle grade readers looking to dabble in YA fiction. VERDICT A strong selection for middle school and high school libraries.--Lisa Ehrle, Falcon Creek Middle School, CO
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Ehrle, Lisa. "PENN, Farrah. Twelve Steps to Normal." School Library Journal, Jan. 2018, p. 82+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A521876215/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2e10d9f5. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A521876215
11
Feb
2018
Review- Twelve Steps to Normal
Posted in Book Review by Maddie
Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Format: Paperback ARC
Publication date: March 13, 2018
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Page count: 384
Star rating: 5/5
Kira just wants her old life back—before she was forced to move away for a year, before her grandma died, and before her father started drinking too much and was sent to Sober Living. Unfortunately, as soon as she steps back into her childhood home, nothing is the same. First, there are 3 other alcoholics, who her dad met in treatment, living in her house. Second, her best friend is dating her ex-boyfriend, who she still has feelings for. Third, all her friends seem to be mad at her for ignoring their text messages, which she only did because she couldn’t stand hearing about all the events she missed out on. Kira makes a list of 12 steps, just like her father’s 12 step program, that will help revert her life back to the way it was before. Unfortunately, writing a list is easier than actually doing the work, and going back in time just isn’t possible. Maybe Kira will find a way to make a few compromises and accept her father’s illness at the same time.
First, I want to thank Little, Brown and Company for sending me a copy of this title. I was so excited when I saw Twelve Steps to Normal mentioned in PW and I just had to get my hands on it as soon as possible! I’m excited to share this review because addiction and recovery programs hit very close to home for me and providing education about this disease through literature is crucial.
I really enjoyed how Farrah Penn portrayed Alcoholics Anonymous in Twelve Steps to Normal. Kira has been down this road before with her father and he’s always relapsed despite trying the 12 steps in the past. Her dad’s sponsor has faith that AA will work for him this time and he will be able to properly care for Kira again. One of Kira’s steps is to forgive her father, which proves hard, but not impossible. It was refreshing to see a young adult who loves and cares about her dad enough to try and understand his illness. Many addicts never regain the trust of their family after spending years in active addiction, so it made me feel happy as I started to see Kira make an effort to grasp alcoholism.
Kira struggles with self-blame throughout the entire novel, which is something many teens (that I know) deal with. Kira knows the reason she ignored her friends text messages was because she hated the feeling of missing out on fun times. Unfortunately, they can’t understand this and make Kira feel like it was her fault they drifted apart. I feel terrible for her, as it’s completely understandable that moving away from your closest friends would cause jealousy and hurt feelings. I’m glad Farrah Penn wrote a young adult character that is relatable for teens with anxiety. I wish I could somehow jump into the book and tell Kira it wasn’t her fault for taking a step back from friendships to take care of herself.
I loved reading Twelve Steps to Normal and getting to know Kira. It was also great seeing her father progress in his recovery. Farrah Penn represented the recovery process and community well and Kira’s path to understanding her dad’s illness was perfectly crafted. If you’re interested in reading about the realities of having a loved one who struggles with alcoholism, please put Twelve Steps to Normal on your reading list. It comes out in March of 2018. I can’t wait for everyone to get a chance to read this amazing novel. Thank you, again, to Little, Brown and Company for sending me this title in advance!