Join us for a fireside chat with Julie Murphy, the #1 New York Times bestselling young adult author of Dumplin’ and Side Effects May Vary. We’ll talk body diversity and issues of representation in YA literature. A Q&A session and book signing will follow, and light refreshments will be provided. So grab your crown and come on down! 

About Julie Murphy
Julie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cats who tolerate her. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, traveling, watching movies so bad they’re good, or hunting down the perfect slice of pizza. Before writing full time, she held numerous jobs such as a wedding dress consultant, purified water saleswoman, failed barista, and ultimately a librarian. Learn more about her at www.juliemurphywrites.com.

About Dumplin’
Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin'” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. With her all-American-beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine, Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

Sponsors
This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Mexican American Studies, the Department of English, UTeach Urban Teachers, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin.