Julian R. vaca

bio

Hi. I’m Julian R. Vaca.

I’m a first generation Mexican American and a first generation college graduate. (Here’s a deep dive into my relationship with my heritage.)

My debut Young Adult series The Memory Index (HarperCollins) published in 2022 and is available wherever books are sold. The first book was a Tome Student Literacy Society “It List Book Award” Nominee in 2023. And I was fortunate enough to receive the 2023 Nashville Literacy Leader Award (presented by Book’em). For literary works, I’m repped by Natalie Kimber with The Rights Factory.

I was a staff writer on season 3 and 4 of PBS’s Reconnecting Roots, a nationally broadcast show that drew in millions of viewers over its first two seasons. I’m the co-writer of Pencils Vs Pixels, a feature-length documentary that's executive produced by Disney animation legend Tom Bancroft and co-directed by Phil Earnest. The film debuted in France at the Annecy International Film Festival.

My writing has appeared in The Nerd Daily, Writer’s Digest, and more. I’m a PEN/Faulkner Writers in School author, a member of the SCBWI, a Hey! Young Writer mentor, and a writing instructor for The Porch—a Nashville-based literacy program. Click here for my portfolio.

I’ve had the privilege of acting in some exciting projects, earning a principal role in CMT's Still the King for two seasons. I’m also the host of Lifeway’s “Gospel Project for Kids,” and dozens of other projects. For acting, I’m repped by Melinda Eisnaugle with The Avenue.