Frank Morelli
Bio
Frank Morelli is the author of the young adult novel, No Sad Songs (2018), a 2019 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers nominee and winner of an American Fiction Award for best coming-of-age story. School Library Journal calls Morelli’s debut novel, “a must for any YA collection” and adds, “Morelli phenomenally portrays the teen’s angst and struggles.” Booklist says No Sad Songs is “full of heart and humor” while VOYA lauds the book as “beautifully
written” and calls it “a timeless story of coming-of-age.”
Morelli is also the author of On the Way to Birdland, a 2021 Shelf Unbound Best Indie book, and the middle grade mystery novel Breaking News, which was featured at the 2022 Louisiana Book Fest. Morelli’s short fiction and essays have appeared in more than thirty publications including The Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia Stories, Jersey Devil Press, Change Seven Magazine, and Indiana Voice Journal. His short story “In the Pen” was shortlisted for the 2015 Earl Weaver Prize, awarded annually by Cobalt Review, and he has written numerous articles and essays for the young adult and children’s market, including features in Highlights for Children Magazine, Stories for Children, and Youth Imagination Magazine.
Frank is a Philadelphia native who graduated from Albright College with a degree in English. He then moved to New York City, where he became a teaching fellow and earned an MSed from Queens College. He earned an MFA in Fiction from National University while continuing a twenty-four year stint in the classroom as a middle and high school English teacher. Frank now resides in North Carolina where he continues to teach literature and enjoy nature with his best friend, their obnoxious alley cats, and a fierce but loveable rescue dog.
written” and calls it “a timeless story of coming-of-age.”
Morelli is also the author of On the Way to Birdland, a 2021 Shelf Unbound Best Indie book, and the middle grade mystery novel Breaking News, which was featured at the 2022 Louisiana Book Fest. Morelli’s short fiction and essays have appeared in more than thirty publications including The Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia Stories, Jersey Devil Press, Change Seven Magazine, and Indiana Voice Journal. His short story “In the Pen” was shortlisted for the 2015 Earl Weaver Prize, awarded annually by Cobalt Review, and he has written numerous articles and essays for the young adult and children’s market, including features in Highlights for Children Magazine, Stories for Children, and Youth Imagination Magazine.
Frank is a Philadelphia native who graduated from Albright College with a degree in English. He then moved to New York City, where he became a teaching fellow and earned an MSed from Queens College. He earned an MFA in Fiction from National University while continuing a twenty-four year stint in the classroom as a middle and high school English teacher. Frank now resides in North Carolina where he continues to teach literature and enjoy nature with his best friend, their obnoxious alley cats, and a fierce but loveable rescue dog.
Books
To Play With Fire (2027)