Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar

Musician Violet’s edgy debut spotlights art and queer identity through a teenage keyboardist’s turbulent introduction to the 1990s Hollywood music scene. Whenever she feels overwhelmed by her mother’s concerning PTSD-induced nightmares and flashbacks, 18-year-old Kyla Bell escapes via composing and performing music to take her “far away from reality.” After a gig in her rural Massachusetts hometown nets an invitation to tour with her rock star idol, Ruby Sky, Kyla drops out of high school and moves to L.A. There, straight-shooting, middle-aged music producer Robert Jeffs facilitates her “rock star boot camp makeover,” during which she’s encouraged to diet and take up smoking in order to fit the mold. She soon flounders under pressure from Robert and “walking landmine” Ruby, with whom Kyla is falling in love. As fissures appear beneath her new associates’ picture-perfect personae, Kyla fears her ticket to stardom might end up breaking her. Violet persuasively develops a vivid setting that epitomizes Kyla’s dreams and aspirations, while also providing light fodder for discussion surrounding personal agency, and complexly rendered relationships ground this wish-fulfilling love letter to rock music and the whirlwind of fame. Characters read as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Devon Halliday, Transatlantic Agency. (Apr.)