Avis Nora Olsen lives in New York State. Olsen’s most recent YA novels, Swans & Klons, Frenemy of the People, and Maxine Wore Black were published by Bold Strokes Books' Soliloquy imprint. The End, Olsen’s debut novel, was published by Prizm Books. If you'd like to get in touch, please email contact.noraolsen at gmail.com

FAQ

Q. I want to read one, and only one, of your books. Which is the best?

A. Frenemy of the People. It's about two girls, Clarissa and Lexie, who hate each other with the passion of a thousand suns--until they fall in love! (Nerd cred fact: It's also the only YA novel about the subprime mortgage crisis.)

Q. What is your book Swans & Klons about?

A. It's about two girls in an all-female dystopian world who fall in love as they join the fight to free enslaved clones.

Q. What is your book The End about?

A. Julia and her friends face the unthinkable, a world destroyed by nuclear war.  These five queer teens use magical amulets to travel through time, desperately trying to save humanity from total destruction.

Q. And your most recent book, Maxine Wore Black?

A. It's a YA retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, starring transgender and lesbian protagonists.

Q. Are you available for readings and school visits?

A. Possibly! I am also theoretically available to conduct writing workshops or meet with your school's Gay-Straight Alliance. If you are interested in having me do a school visit or reading, just drop a note at Contact Me.

Q. Can I have a review copy of your book?

A. Absolutely, if you have a blog or other venue where you would like to post your honest opinion of the book.

Q. Tell me the story of your life!

A. That's not a question, but. . . I grew up in New York City. When I was a kid I loved to write stories. This was back before the internet was invented, so we had to make our own fun. Then I grew up and decided not to be a writer, because I knew it would be a lifetime of toil with no reward. But somehow, I couldn't stop myself from writing. I wanted to write fun books that anyone can enjoy, but I especially wanted LGBTQ+ teens to be able to see themselves in my books, and know that they can have magical powers and spaceships just like all the other kids.

Q. You keep saying "LGBTQ." Which of those letters are you?

A. I am ALL of them.