Picture a New Jersey-born storyteller who spun a tale about a teen knowing his death date—meet Lance Rubin! This multifaceted artist, once an actor treading the boards, now crafts young adult novels that blend laugh-out-loud humor with profound questions about life, love, and mortality, earning him a cherished spot in contemporary YA literature.
With his debut, Denton Little’s Deathdate, Rubin didn’t just write a book; he created a world where everyone knows their expiration date, wrapping existential dread in quirky, heartfelt comedy. His work, celebrated for its authenticity and wit, has won awards and even hit the small screen, making Rubin a standout voice for teens navigating life’s big questions.
The Making of Lance Rubin
Born and raised in New Jersey—a state he staunchly defends as underrated—Lance Rubin honed his creative chops at Brown University. Initially, he chased the spotlight as an actor, performing in musicals and sketch comedy at places like the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He even popped up on NBC’s Mercy as a sleepwalking patient with a wardrobe malfunction. But the pull of storytelling led him to writing, inspired by his love for Back to the Future, Harry Potter, and the raw teenage energy of The Hunger Games. By 2011, Rubin was penning his first novel, ready to trade stage lights for the page.
Lance Rubin’s Unforgettable Stories
Rubin’s debut, Denton Little’s Deathdate (2015), is a darkly funny dystopian tale about a teen facing his predetermined death on prom night. Packed with gallows humor, witty dialogue, and authentic teen experiences—like awkward romance and a mysterious rash—it won the 2016 International Literacy Association Young Adult Book Award and was adapted into a Snapchat original series. Its sequel, Denton Little’s Still Not Dead (2017), dives deeper into life’s big questions, like whether to save a terrible person from death, all while keeping readers chuckling.
In 2019, Rubin switched gears with Crying Laughing, a standalone novel about Winnie Friedman, a hilarious teen navigating her dad’s ALS diagnosis through comedy. This poignant, joke-filled story showcases Rubin’s knack for balancing heavy themes with levity. He also co-wrote The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek with Rhett & Link and the musical Broadway Bounty Hunter, proving his versatility across genres. Rubin’s style—honest, humorous, and unafraid of tough topics like death, illness, or identity—resonates with teens craving real, relatable stories.
Why Lance Rubin Matters
Lance Rubin’s impact on young adult literature lies in his fearless authenticity. His books don’t shy away from sex, drugs, or cursing, reflecting the messy reality of teenage life while staying good-hearted and story-driven. By tackling death and loss with humor, he invites teens to confront big fears in a safe, engaging way, earning praise from readers and critics alike. His work encourages intellectual freedom, urging young readers to explore diverse worlds and ideas, a mission he champions after facing book bans, like the 2017 removal of Denton Little’s Deathdate from a South Carolina school district.
Now living in Brooklyn with his wife, Katie Schorr, and their kids, Rubin continues to write, perform, and connect with teens at book festivals, inspired by their passion and curiosity. His stories remind us that even in a world where death looms, laughter and love can light the way.
- Key Works: Denton Little’s Deathdate, Denton Little’s Still Not Dead, Crying Laughing
- Awards: 2016 ILA Young Adult Book Award
- Fun Fact: Rubin can’t resist checking out sidewalk book stacks!
Snag Denton Little’s Deathdate and dive into Lance Rubin’s hilarious, heartfelt YA world!