Hot Key Books to publish 'personal' new novel from Arvin Ahmadi

Bonnier Books UK's Hot Key imprint is to publish How It All Blew Up, Arvin Ahmadi's third YA novel. 

Executive publisher Emma Matthewson acquired UK & Commonwealth rights for one title from Hellie Ogden at Janklow & Nesbit UK, on behalf of Brooks Sherman at Janklow 7 Nesbit US. Hot Key will publish the title in paperback on 22nd September 2020.

In the US, North American rights were sold to publisher Ken Wright at Viking Young Readers.

How It All Blew Up is Ahmadi’s "most personal" novel to date, as the protagonist "closely reflects the author’s intersectionality as a gay Iranian-American Muslim". It is the story of Amir's struggle to come out to his parents and his journey of self-discovery. The book is described as "an incredibly engaging story full of family, religion, sexuality and identity". 

Ahmadi said: "This is the book I never thought I would write … the kind of story I have always been afraid to write, but after a life-changing summer experience, it was the only story I could write."

Matthewson added: "From the moment I started reading, I was desperate to publish Arvin, as were the rest of the Hot Key team. How It All Blew Up is an important novel told with a wry touch and great humour that makes Arvin’s voice uniquely fresh and engaging."

Ahmadi is the author of Down and Across and Girl Gone Viral.