Ari Koontz, a third-year graduate student in Northern Michigan University's MFA program, has finalized a book deal with Macmillan Publishing for their debut young adult novel, Just Ask Elsie.
Koontz, a queer and transgender writer, artist and editor, works across genres, including lyric memoirs, middle grade fiction and poetry. Their work focuses on themes of gender and sexuality, coming of age, pop culture and nature. In addition to their writing, Koontz serves as a composition instructor at NMU.
Just Ask Elsie, set for publication in 2026 by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan, follows 11-year-old Elsie Parker, who becomes frustrated with the lack of inclusive and accessible puberty education at her school. Determined to make a difference, Elsie takes matters into her own hands.
“Just Ask Elsie is a younger and more joyful take on Netflix's Sex Education, following a curious and creative fifth grader named Elsie who's enrolled in a special puberty education program through her Unitarian church,” Koontz said. “She gets to learn about everything from hormones to masturbation to LGBTQ+ identities, everything, in short, that she's never heard in school.”
“It was definitely awkward at first, but now Elsie loves it, even though she knows the lessons might seem weird to outsiders. Sure enough, when a nosy classmate overhears Elsie's weekend plans, word quickly spreads. She becomes ‘Elsie the Puberty Girl,' the butt of jokes and target of whispers in the halls,” Koontz said.
Despite the ridicule, Elsie soon finds herself answering questions from classmates who have never had the chance to ask about their changing bodies. As her unofficial advice column grows, she sees a new opportunity to get closer to the girl she likes. But when the school principal discovers her operation, Elsie faces a bigger challenge: defend her right to educate her peers, or risk losing everything, including her platform and potential first love.
“As a born and raised Unitarian Universalist who also attended public school in Ohio, I never took for granted the comprehensive and inclusive sex education I received through my church's OWL (Our Whole Lives) program,” Koontz said. “It's been on my mind for quite a long time, and with the rise in censorship within schools today, I believe it's more important than ever to discuss topics like gender, sexuality, consent, puberty and bodily diversity.”
Koontz said they hope the book contributes to these critical conversations and empowers young readers to ask questions, seek knowledge and advocate for themselves and others.
Koontz wrote the initial manuscript before starting the MFA program at NMU and completed three drafts before setting it aside. In 2024, they attended the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference, where they met with a literary agent. That meeting led to an offer of representation in February of that year.
“In the year since, I've done three rounds of revision with my agent's guidance and two more after signing the book contract,” Koontz said. “I've spent a lot of time with this story. It still feels surreal to know it will be a real, physical thing I'll get to hold in my hands next year, and even more meaningful that real kids will get to read it.”
For more information on the author and their upcoming book, click here.