Meet Mike Mullin, author of the highly acclaimed young adult book ASHFALL.

National Public Radio chose ASHFALL as one of 2011’s top five young adult novels. "This post-apocalyptic tale is one that combines reality with the stuff of nightmares, crawls under your skin, and forces you to question your own courage and survival instincts," writes NPR’s reviewer, Marissa Meyer.

Kirkus Reviews named ASHFALL one of the “Best Teen Books of 2011.” Kirkus editor Vicky Smith writes, “In this chilling debut, Mullin seamlessly weaves meticulous details about science, geography, agriculture and slaughter into his prose, creating a fully immersive and internally consistent world scarily close to reality.”

Mullin first discovered he could make money writing in elementary school. His teacher, Mrs. Brannon, occasionally paid students for using unusual words. Mike’s first sale earned 10 cents for the word “tenacious.”

He penned his first novel shortly afterward (Captain Poopy’s Sewer Adventure), and Mullin has been writing ever since. By odd coincidence, after he earned a master’s in business administration from IU, Mullin worked in brand management for Procter and Gamble marketing Pampers diapers.

Martial arts play a large role in the survival of ASHFALL’s teen protagonist, Alex, and Mullin has written what he knows. He holds a black belt in Songahm taekwondo.

Mullin will read from his work, followed by a taekwondo demonstration and a book signing of ASHFALL and its new sequel, ASHEN WINTER. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL's recommended age level begins at grade 8.