About
Shannon is a multiracial American writer of Filipinx and European descent.
Her debut novel, I’D RATHER BURN THAN BLOOM, won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature in 2024. Shannon’s writing has appeared in Bodega Magazine, Newfound Journal, and on stage with Tricklock Company, Lady Luck Productions, and the UNM Words Afire Festival of New Plays.
She earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of New Mexico and her MFA in Writing For Young People at Antioch University Los Angeles. Having served as an educator, after-school program director, and lost mitten finder at schools in Albuquerque, Chicago, and New York City, she now lives and writes in Brooklyn, NY.
I’D RATHER BURN THAN BLOOM
Winner of the 2024 Asian Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature. In this contemporary YA novel, multiracial Filipinx-American teen Marisol Martin begins to compulsively draw after her mother's sudden death in an attempt to untangle their past.
Discussion Questions | Author Letter
Named one of Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year (2023) and New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens (2023).
Some girls call their mother their best friend. Marisol Martin? She could never relate. She and her mom were forever locked in an argument with no beginning and no end. Clothes, church, boys, no matter the topic, Marisol always felt like there was an unbridgeable gap between them that they were perpetually shouting across, one that she longed to close.
But when her mother dies suddenly, Marisol is left with no one to fight against, haunted by all the things that she both said and didn’t say. Her dad seems completely lost, and worse, baffled by Marisol's attempts to connect with her mother's memory through her Filipino culture. Her brother Bernie is retreating further and further into himself. And when Marisol sleeps with her best friend's boyfriend - and then punches said best friend in the face - she's left alone, with nothing but a burning anger, and nowhere for it to go.
And Marisol is determined to stay angry, after all, there’s a lot to be angry about– her father, her mother, the world. But as a new friendship begins to develop with someone who just might understand, Marisol reluctantly starts to open up to her, and to the possibility there’s something else on the other side of that anger– something more to who she is, and who she could be.
"Readers who relish deep character development will appreciate Marisol’s messy evolution toward self-forgiveness...Heart-wrenching and heart-filled."
— Kirkus (starred)
"Rogers crafts a fast-paced narrative through Marisol’s powerful and poignant voice. Insights into family dynamics, changing friendships, and biracial identity make for realistically messy and enjoyable character growth that one can’t help but empathize with."
— Publishers Weekly (starred)
"This poignant coming of age story, told in alternating "then" and "now" segments, takes readers on a complicated and isolated journey of loss, with welcome moments of humor."
— Horn Book Magazine
EIGHTEEN ROSES
When chronic loner Lucia Cruz discovers her mom has planned a full-scale debutante ball behind her back, she's forced to make eighteen "friends" before the big day in this funny and emotional YA novel about family, friendship, and overcoming the fear of getting your picture taken.
Lucia Cruz may be turning eighteen this year, but she is not the debutante type. Everything about a traditional Filipino debut feels all wrong for her. Besides, custom dictates that eighteen friends attend her for a special ceremony on her birthday, and Lucia only has one friend– Esmé Mares. They've stuck to each other's side all throughout high school, content to be friends with only each other. At least, Lucia thought they were content.
As it turns out, Esmé wants something different out of her senior year. And, on top of that, Lucia's mom has planned a debutante ball for her birthday behind her back. She'll be forced to cobble together a court of eighteen “friends” before her beloved lola arrives from the Philippines for this blessed occasion.
How far will Lucia stray from her comfort zone in order to play the role of dutiful daughter and granddaughter? Will she do the unthinkable– participating in a school sponsored activity? Will she discover that her sense of humor can be a way to connect with people, not just push them away?
"Rogers' lush, vivid storytelling brings Albuquerque alive, and readers will feel deeply for Lucia's struggle with the terrible ordeal of knowing and being known... This should absolutely not be missed."
— Booklist (starred)
"Rogers attentively depicts issues surrounding race, gender, parental responsibility, divorce, and self-esteem via Lucia's numerous relationships, particularly with her mother. Lucia's stand-up comedy seeds humor throughout this cathartic read."
— Publishers Weekly
"Rogers’ sophomore novel features rich, deep representation of Filipino experience in the U.S. as well as strong character development, as it follows a loner who finds connections one small, imperfect step at a time...Beautiful, relatable, and full of emotion."
—Kirkus
Upcoming Events
Filipino American International Book Festival
October 12-13, 2024
KAISÁ’T KASAMA | Celebrating Our Diverse Voices and Solidarity. Enjoy a weekend of panels, book signings & literary readings. Meet writers and spread a lot of book love at the Filbookfest marketplace!
Main Branch, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA
Author talk @ Queens Public Library
October 23, 2024 @ 10:00 am
Author talk featuring Shannon C.F. Rogers on growing up; her reading inspiration and writing process.
The talk will be 45 minutes and include a ten-minute Q&A with students.
Midnights With You Launch @ Lofty Pigeon Books
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 6:30 PM 8:00 PM
Join Los Angeles–based biracial Filipina American writer Clare Osongco for the New York launch of her debut novel—a compelling YA romance about two traumatized teens who fall in love over a series of secret late-night driving lessons—with a reading, conversation with author Shannon C.F. Rogers (I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom), signing, and reception.
News
APALA Award for Young Adult Literature 2024
"Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature...promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit. The Youth/Young Adult Literature winner is “I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom,” written by Shannon C.F. Rogers and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group."
It's Okay to Buy Another Book Podcast: Interview with Shannon C.F. Rogers
"In this special episode, we are interviewing Shannon C.F. Rogers, author of the incredible YA novel, I'D RATHER BURN THAN BLOOM". Warning: spoilers ahead!"
The Nerd Daily Q&A with Shannon C.F. Rogers, Author of ‘Eighteen Roses’
We chat with author Shannon C.F. Rogers about Eighteen Roses, which is a sharply observed YA novel about friendship, family, and self-discovery, amid a backdrop of a Filipino debut.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center - Book of the Week
"Marisol’s mom died following a car accident that happened after she and Marisol had a huge fight. Marisol, 16, blames herself and has been out of control ever since, fixated on her failures as a daughter, especially how she and her mom (Filipina) always fought and how she didn’t say goodbye to her mom as she lay dying at the hospital..."
New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens 2023
"Our expert librarians selected the year's best books for kids, teens, and adults. Check out these outstanding titles....I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom by Shannon C.F. Rogers. Marisol never got along with her mother—but when she suddenly dies in a car crash, Marisol is left to contend with what it means to find peace."
Musings by Michelle: Book Review — I’d Rather Burn Than Bloom by Shannon C. F. Rogers
"This book can be a comfort to other Fil-Ams and a look into what it’s like for children of interracial and immigrant couples. The characters are imperfect and relatable. Although my review focuses on grief, I should also mention that this novel does cover coming-of-age, friendship, and sibling dynamics…”
Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year 2024
“This edition includes more than 600 titles chosen by the Children’s Book Committee as the best of the best published in 2023. In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes.”
The Weirdest Thing Podcast: "All the Coyotes" with Shannon C.F. Rogers
"This week Scotty and Amelia welcome author/longtime friend Shannon C.F. Rogers onto the pod to discuss her new novel "I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom" (2023, Feiwel & Friends), named one of the "20 Best Books to read in July" by Kirkus Reviews and one of "Best new YA books of 2023" by Paste Magazine. We also talk about fan fiction,"The Animorphs," grief, growing up in New Mexico, the teenage mind, "Breaking Bad," and more. And Shannon even brought the WEIRD with the story of a terrifying creature from Filipino folklore. This was a fun, wide-ranging conversation, and we hope you enjoy it!"
LitCit Podcast Episode #49: Shannon C.F. Rogers
On this episode of Antioch MFA Program's LitCit, host Bo Thomas Newman chats with guest Shannon C.F. Rogers, winner of the 2024 APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature. In this interview, Shannon discusses her upbringing in Albuquerque, her experience as a playwright, her Filipino-American identity, themes of grief and self-discovery in her cinematic writing, and her publishing journey with her first novel.
Utopia State of Mind Review: Eighteen Roses by Shannon C.F. Rogers
“Eighteen Roses is one of those books I loved because the MC just feels a bit too close to home. This book unexpectedly scooped me out. It made me feel things I was not expecting! Keep reading this book review of Eighteen Roses for my full thoughts.”
This Fiction by Shannon C.F. Rogers Takes Fil-Am Teen Drama to a Whole New Level
"Get ready, book lovers, and prepare to go on an emotional ride that digs into the depths of the Fil-Am experience. A talented Filipina American author, Shannon C.F. Rogers has launched her debut YA fiction, “I’d Rather Burn than Bloom.” This is a coming-of-age tale of a Filipino American teenager Marisol Martin. She embarks on the complexities of self-discovery and grief..."
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Contact
I'm represented by Serene Hakim at Ayesha Pande Literary.
For inquiries, please contact her at serene(at)pandeliterary(dot)com
or, drop me a line here: