About the author
Hollywood called saying The CoolKids was "the funniest teen novel ever written" soon I had a big-time agent, was sitting on casting couches in Studio City and having lunch in Beverly Hills restaurants with people who talked to other people on their cell phones more than they talked to me. Soon there were publishers, agents, lawyers, a script in development, big name directors attached, and I was said to be the first writer to get a major merchandise deal and soundtrack with Warner Bros. before the book/film deal, we even recorded one song with a well-known band. Along the way, The CoolKids was also called offensive, insulting, politically incorrect, and even racist. But alas, option after option the rebellious teen lead was slated for Macaulay Culkin, which soon turned into Kieran Culkin, who turned to Haley Joe Osmet, to Michael Cera, to Robert Iler (AJ from The Sopranos) and even Angus Jones from Two and a Half Men, who I was told would "grow into it." After 10 years of being "in development" the novel was unceremoniously returned to me, along with a nameless note that The CoolKids was "too trendy" and might not be relevant "next year when the film comes out."
So, rather than go the John Kennedy Toole route, here is the novel that set Hollywood abuzz. Maybe Rowley from Diary of a Whimpy Kid will grow into the role next. In addition to The CoolKids, I've also written a non-fiction memoir about my time in the music business entitled The Horror.