Up in Smoke

Two DC teens, Cooper and Monique, investigate the murder of a protester at a Black Lives Matter rally while trying to clear the name of their friend Jason, who has been wrongfully accused.

Nick Brooks is the critically-acclaimed author of Promise Boys and Up in Smoke, as well as an award-winning filmmaker from Washington, DC. He is a 2020 graduate of USC's TV and Film Production program. His short film, Hoop Dreamin', earned him the George Lucas Scholar Award and was a finalist in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Film Fest. Before becoming a filmmaker, Nick was an educator working with at-risk youth, and many of his stories are inspired by his experiences with the children and families of his community. He is also the author of the middle-grade series, Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont.