Description: "Phil Reyno is a 'troublemaker.' With a punk aesthetic and a quick temper, Phil knows that it's surprising to see him dating universally beloved Cameron Ellis, whose viral coming out video made him an internet darling. Jackson Pasternak is a 'good guy.' Junior class president, star rower, and Ivy bound, Jackson is burnt out and misses the only person who ever truly knew him-his ex-best friend, Phil. When Cameron dumps Phil and torpedoes his already-iffy reputation in the process, Phil hatches a plot to expose Cameron as the two-faced liar he truly is. And he finds the perfect weapon in his old pal Jackson, who agrees to infiltrate Cameron's circle and uncover dirt. But as Phil and Jackson rediscover their friendship-and more-they start to wonder... Will knocking Cameron off his pedestal really solve their problems?"--
Brief description: James Acker grew up in New Jersey, and he's based his entire personality off that fact. He received his Bachelor's in Screenwriting & Playwriting from Drexel University and won the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship for his screenplay Sadboi. When he's not writing, James lives in Los Angeles with his wonderfully supportive partner and his two recurring stress dreams. He is the author of The Long Run.
Review Quotes: Praise for Teenage Dirtbags
"With Teenage Dirtbags, James Acker cements his status as one of the most authentic voices in queer coming-of-age fiction. What starts as a delicious revenge tale, masterfully unfolds into a rich and tender love story between two boys who deserve the world--and each other." --Brian D. Kennedy, author of A Little Bit Country and My Fair Brady "It's a rare joy to spend time with queer characters who get to be messy and complicated--and it's extra special when an author makes you want to root for them, flaws and all. Move over Mean Girls, it's beyond time for James Acker's devious and delicious Mean Gays." --Zachary Sergi, author of Major Detours and This Pact Is Not Ours "Bold, raw, and refreshing, taking delight in kicking down the doors of gay culture clichés and serving up something new, modern and sharply intelligent. Acker is a master of writing teens with attitude and heart in an authentic voice--I love his writing." --Holden Sheppard, author of Invisible Boys and The Brink "Acker shares the lurid secrets of adolescence with a burn-it-all-down-bluntness and aching sensitivity that makes your heart melt even as your head explodes. It's yearning, gritty and unrelenting in the best way. These 'Dirtbags' know how to get dirty." --Darren Stein, writer/director of Jawbreaker "Teenage Dirtbags is smack dab, in your face, unapologetically queer with a diverse cast of characters that put the mess in messy." --Anthony Nerada, author of Skater Boy "Good gays are out this year--all hail the age of the dirtbag! Acker's witty, hilarious gem celebrates the queer boys who feel too messy for love...and warns young readers that sometimes those golden retriever boyfriends are rabid!" --Adam Sass, award-winning author of The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers and Your Lonely Nights Are Over