Susan Metallo is a neurodivergent youth librarian and author of the YA novel Reasons to Hate Me, which was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2025, an American Booksellers Assoc Indie Next Kids title, and an Indies Introduce children's book. In addition it was included in the ALA Feminist Task Force's Rise: a Feminist Book List, longlisted for the MPIBA's Reading the West Award, nominated for the PA Mountain Laurel Book Award, and voted a Teacher Favorite by the CBC. Her second YA novel, Hearts on the Table, will come out in the fall of 2026 (Candlewick). She lives in New Mexico with her husband, her children, and an 85-lb. bulldog who fervently believes she will fit on your lap.