Dean Backus

 

Debut author of Darts and Flowers, a queer young adult rom-com now available on Amazon

 

Titles by Dean

 

Darts and Flowers

A funny, heartwarming queer YA rom-com about two childhood buddies who reunite in high school and launch a madcap scheme of blackmail, betrayal, and manipulation – all in the name of friendship and love. Indie Foreword Gold Medal winner (2023)!

Dean Backus spins a fun and crafty tale of friendship, identity, secrets, and love in this LGBTQ romantic comedy set in the 1990s at a private Seattle high school. Darts and Flowers is inspired by Shakespeare’s comedies and iconic teen films of the 90s.

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The Deep End of the Pool

Coming February 2025 from Pegasus Publishing

Shannon Milne is a fantastic swimmer. He brings his special talent to his new high school and impresses those who matter. He also impresses those who shouldn’t matter, but who make it their business to dominate and control him.

Shan’s life hasn’t been easy, thus far. He’s had more to contend with than many of his tender years and yet, through no fault of his own, is suddenly immersed in a new world of coercion, mental and physical abuse. Who holds Shannon’s strings now?

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You may have seen Dean in…

 
San Francisco Chronicle Logo
FirstGlance Film Festival Logo
Fringe Festivals Logo
San Jose Mercury News Logo
SF Weekly Logo
 

Picture of Dean Backus, author of Flowers and Darts.

Hey there! I’m Dean.

I'm a playwright, essayist, screenwriter, journalist, filmmaker, and high school English teacher. And now, I'm a debut YA author.

I've been writing professionally for more than 30 years, teaching for almost 20, and after so much time writing plays, screenplays, and working in freelance journalism, I'm thrilled to be entering the amazing world of YA storytelling.

I'm so glad you're here!

  • “The best play…funny, irreverant & superbly performed.”

    — Mari Coates, SF Weekly

    Him (Theater Rhino’s “You, You & You” & “Eastenders’ Sampler”)

  • "Quite eloquent…remarkable"

    — Bay Area Reporter

    Thus With a Kiss (Audience Award Winner SF Fringe Festival; Runner-up for Best Play at Seattle’s New City Playwright’s Festival)

  • "Sharp comedy…loaded with wit.”

    — Mari Coates, SF Weekly

    Is This Seat Taken? (Audience Award Winner / “Best of” SF Fringe Festival in 1996)

  • "A distinctively caustic and witty voice”

    — From the professional critique

    Big Pimpin’ (Finalist, First Glance Screenplay Competition)

  • "Hard hitting and dramatic”

    — Lakewood Journal

    Thus With a Kiss (Audience Award Winner SF Fringe Festival; Runner-up for Best Play at Seattle’s New City Playwright’s Festival)

  • "Charming"

    —Judith Green, San Jose Mercury News

    Him (Theater Rhino’s “You, You & You” & “Eastenders’ Sampler”)

  • "Dean Backus tells a good story”

    — San Francisco Sentinel

    Jumping the Broom (Contributor; Cable Car award nominee & Bay Area Critic’s Circle Award Winner)

  • "Funny, petulant, introspective and outrageous"

    — SF Bay Times

    Him (Theater Rhino’s “You, You & You” & “Eastenders’ Sampler”)

  • "Affecting"

    — San Francisco Chronicle

    Thus With a Kiss (Audience Award Winner SF Fringe Festival; Runner-up for Best Play at Seattle’s New City Playwright Festival)

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