Adib Khorram (he/him/his)

Adib Khorram is a queer Iranian American author whose acclaimed novels include “Darius the Great is Not Okay,” “Darius the Great Deserves Better,” “Kiss & Tell,” and “The Breakup Lists.” His new Young Adult book is "One Word, Six Letters" and his new adult book is "It Had to Be Him." When he’s not writing, he enjoys yoga, figure skating, playing electric guitar, and exploring food, tea, and wine. He lives in Kansas City, where he proudly defends its title as home to the best barbecue.

Awards: YALSA William C. Morris Award for best debut young adult novel, the APALA Asian/Pacific American Literature Award, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor

Communities: LGBTQ+, Iranian-American

CATS Friday

The CATS Friday event with area teens is scheduled from 9:00-1:00 and involves an opening panel, workshops on writing and illustrating, and book signing. School groups must be registered ahead of time for this event. Contact Sybil Durand for more info.

Education Room 211 (Kiva) (Seats 200)  
Fri, Mar 13, 9:00 am - 12:55 pm
Teen
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - UA Campus Store Lower Level (following presentation)  

Panelists: Hailey Alcaraz, Scott Campbell, Saraciea Fennell, Idris Goodwin, Tiffany D. Jackson, Lars Kenseth, Adib Khorram, Cynthia Leitich Smith
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, HarperCollins Children's Books

Friends and Sponsors Only: Hot Off the Press

Sponsors and Friends of the Festival are invited to a books launch party with authors in attendance.

Campus Store - Hot Off the Press (Seats 250, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 8:00 am - 9:00 am

Panelists: David Blumenthal, C.J. Box, Elle Cosimano, Elon Green, Adib Khorram, T Kira Madden, Loubna Mrie, Megan Kate Nelson, Keith O'Brien, Caroline Paul

Why Not Both? Writing Romance for Teens and Adults

What's it like to switch from writing romance for one age group to another (and sometimes go back and forth)? Today, three romance authors who got their start writing for young adults will discuss the difference between writing for Y.A. and adult audiences ... and the best parts about each side of the coin.

Koffler Room 216 (Seats 89, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 11:30 am - 12:25 pm
Romance
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)

Panelists: Jonny Garza Villa, Adib Khorram, Sonido Reyes
Moderator: Hannah Gomez
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Research Corporation for Science Advancement, Sundt Construction, Inc.

Living Our Truths in a Harsh World

Teens face a harsh world, especially when dealing with bullying and discrimination as they struggle with identity and accountability. Whether facing public slurs, mental health struggles, or family guilt, these Native, Latinx, and Middle Eastern teens challenge societal expectations to live their own truths.

YA Author Stage (Seats 84)  
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Teen
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)  

Panelists: Adib Khorram, Sonido Reyes, Cynthia Leitich Smith
Moderator: Sybil Durand
Sponsor: Session made possible courtesy of Vanessa C. Moss, Attorney-at-Law

Books:

One Word, Six Letters

Teen
Henry Holt and Company (BYR)
March 2026
ISBN 9781250405555
224 pages
Buy now

It Had to Be Him

Romance
Grand Central Publishing
January 2025
ISBN 9781538739556
384 pages
Buy now