The Vast Fields of Ordinary

In 2009, Penguin published my young adult novel, The Vast Fields of Ordinary, the story of a gay Midwestern teenager and his last summer before heading off to college. The New York Times named it a Notable Book of the Year and an Editor’s Choice, and it received a Stonewall Award from the American Library Association. The book has been optioned for film and translated into German and Italian.

"Fascinating and dreamy…the best kind of first novel."

— The New York Times

"Burd breathes new life into the old coming-out formula…His carefully drawn characters and raw tone make the drama of Dade’s life feel urgent and very real. One of the best in a new generation of LGBTQ novels."

— Kirkus Reviews

"Burd takes a familiar plot — boy struggles with his sexuality, then meets a love interest who changes everything — and makes it fresh…An author to watch."

— Publishers Weekly

The Vast Fields of Ordinary

"Fascinating and dreamy…the best kind of first novel."

— The New York Times

"Burd breathes new life into the old coming-out formula…His carefully drawn characters and raw tone make the drama of Dade’s life feel urgent and very real. One of the best in a new generation of LGBTQ novels."

— Kirkus Reviews

"Burd takes a familiar plot — boy struggles with his sexuality, then meets a love interest who changes everything — and makes it fresh…An author to watch."

— Publishers Weekly

"Nick Burd reaps a bounty from The Vast Fields of Ordinary."

— Vanity Fair

"Burd is a terrific writer and a new talent to watch."

— Booklist

"A beautiful blur…somewhere between Twin Peaks and My So-Called Life."

— Flaunt

The Vast Fields of Ordinary

"Fascinating and dreamy…the best kind of first novel."— The New York Times

"Burd breathes new life into the old coming-out formula…His carefully drawn characters and raw tone make the drama of Dade’s life feel urgent and very real. One of the best in a new generation of LGBTQ novels."— Kirkus Reviews

"Burd takes a familiar plot — boy struggles with his sexuality, then meets a love interest who changes everything — and makes it fresh…An author to watch."— Publishers Weekly

"Nick Burd reaps a bounty from The Vast Fields of Ordinary." — Vanity Fair

"Burd is a terrific writer and a new talent to watch."— Booklist

"A beautiful blur…somewhere between Twin Peaks and My So-Called Life."— Flaunt

Ally Bank

"Fascinating and dreamy…the best kind of first novel."

— The New York Times

"Burd breathes new life into the old coming-out formula…His carefully drawn characters and raw tone make the drama of Dade’s life feel urgent and very real. One of the best in a new generation of LGBTQ novels."

— Kirkus Reviews

"Burd takes a familiar plot — boy struggles with his sexuality, then meets a love interest who changes everything — and makes it fresh…An author to watch."

— Publishers Weekly

"Nick Burd reaps a bounty from The Vast Fields of Ordinary."

— Vanity Fair

"Burd is a terrific writer and a new talent to watch."

— Booklist

"A beautiful blur…somewhere between Twin Peaks and My So-Called Life."

— Flaunt