Former ABA COO Signs Book Deal

Len Vlahos and son -- the genesis of a new punk band?

Len Vlahos, executive director of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and former COO of the American Booksellers Association, has signed a book deal with Egmont USA for his debut novel, The Scar Boys, an emotionally raw, often humorous coming-of-age story about a severely burned and disfigured high school boy who finds refuge playing guitar in a mid-’80s punk band.

The book is based on Vlahos’ experiences as a band member in his late teens and early 20s. “I’ve been writing about it in one form or another ever since,” he told BTW. The story, which started out as an adult novel in 2006, was “reborn” as a YA title a couple of years ago.

“It’s very interesting to see the industry from this perspective,” said Vlahos. “I learned so much during my tenure at ABA, am learning so much at BISG, and this provides one more opportunity to broaden my horizons.”

Though Vlahos said his writing process is “regimented” — he makes time to write every morning before heading to the office — his storytelling process is more relaxed, with characters taking him where they will. “I was surprised more often than not in the turns this particular story took,” he said.

About the prospect of a having title bearing his name on the shelves of bookstores across the country, Vlahos said, “I’m over the moon. This whole thing is like a crazy dream come true.”

The Scar Boys is slated to be published in winter 2014.