Rebecca Albertalli (née Goldstein; born November 17, 1982)[1][2] is an American author of young adult fiction and former psychologist. She is best known for her 2015 debut novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, which was adapted into the 2018 film Love, Simon and inspired the spin-off television series Love, Victor.

Becky Albertalli
Albertalli in 2018
Albertalli in 2018
BornRebecca Goldstein
(1982-11-17) November 17, 1982 (age 41)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation
  • Novelist
  • former psychologist
Education
Period2015–present
Genre
Notable works
SpouseBrian Albertalli
Children2
Website
beckyalbertalli.com

Life and career edit

Albertalli was born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, with her sister Caroline and brother Sam; where she still lives with her husband Brian, and two sons, Owen and Henry.[3] Albertalli attended Wesleyan University and majored in psychology, before moving to Washington, D.C., and earning her Doctor of Psychology degree from George Washington University.[1][4] In her psychological practice, she specialized in working with LGBTQ teens and gender nonconforming children. She worked as a psychologist until 2012—when her first son was born—and subsequently decided to try writing a novel.[5] Albertalli was raised in a Reform Jewish household.[6] Albertalli cites Australian author Jaclyn Moriarty as her primary inspiration in becoming a novelist.[7] In August 2020, Albertalli came out as bisexual in an essay responding to people who had criticized her for writing about gay characters as a presumed heterosexual. She stated that coming out was not an "attempt to neutralize criticism of [her] books" and asked her critics to acknowledge that "carelessness in these discussions has caused real harm".[8]

In April 2015, Albertalli's debut novel was published, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.[9] A sequel to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, titled Leah on the Offbeat was released in 2018 and won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction.[10] In 2020, Albertalli released the third installment of the series with Love, Creekwood.[11] Her other works include The Upside of Unrequited and What If It's Us, the latter of which she co-wrote with Adam Silvera. Movie rights to What If It's Us sold to Anonymous Content in 2018, with Brian Yorkey attached as screenwriter.[12] The film rights to The Upside of Unrequited was obtained by Shakespeare Sisters, a U.K. production company, in 2021.[13]

Bibliography edit

Simonverse edit

What If It's Us edit

Standalone works edit

  • Yes No Maybe So, co-written with Aisha Saeed (Balzer + Bray, 2019)[16]
  • Kate in Waiting (Balzer + Bray, 2021)[17]
  • Imogen, Obviously (Balzer + Bray, 2023)

Short essays edit

  • in Dear Heartbreak: YA Authors and Teens on the Dark Side of Love, edited by Heather Demetrios (Henry Holt, 2018)

Filmography edit

Year Title Director Screenwriters Based on Ref.
2018 Love, Simon Greg Berlanti Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda [18]

Awards edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Brian Albertalli, Becky Goldstein to wed in June". The Chronicle Express. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "Becky Albertalli: The Author Behind Love, Simon". Paper Clips Magazine.
  3. ^ Corbett, Sue (March 5, 2015). "First Look: 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  4. ^ "About - Becky Albertalli". Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  5. ^ "FAQ - Becky Albertalli". Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  6. ^ David, Karen (March 29, 2018). "'People assume I'm not Jewish. It hurts'". The Jewish Chronicle.
  7. ^ Albertalli, Becky (May 5, 2015). "My inspiration: Becky Albertalli on Jaclyn Moriarty". The Guardian. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  8. ^ Albertalli, Becky (August 31, 2020). "I know I'm late". Medium.
  9. ^ "Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – review". The Guardian. September 1, 2015.
  10. ^ "Best Books 2018". Goodreads. December 4, 2018.
  11. ^ "'Love, Creekwood' is the Simonverse Epilogue We've Been Waiting For". Epic Reads. April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  12. ^ Lang, Brent (September 28, 2018). "'13 Reasons Why' Creator, Anonymous Content Team on 'What If It's Us' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  13. ^ Barraclough, Leo (April 13, 2021). "'Love, Simon' Writer Becky Albertalli's 'The Upside of Unrequited' to Be Adapted for Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  14. ^ What If It's Us, retrieved January 24, 2020
  15. ^ @AdamSilvera (November 19, 2020). "a tiny bit more on HERE'S TO US 🧡" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Yes No Maybe So". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  17. ^ "Kate in Waiting". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  18. ^ Love, Simon, retrieved April 4, 2019
  19. ^ Hetter, Katia (January 11, 2016). "2016 Newbery, Caldecott awards honor best children's books". CNN. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  20. ^ Baker, Jennifer (January 11, 2016). "Top Youth Lit". Forbes. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  21. ^ "Buch: Nur drei Worte | Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur e.V." www.jugendliteratur.org. Retrieved April 4, 2019.

External links edit