📣 Media Press Kit
Welcome! This page is your one-stop hub for all media, press, and school-related information about Not Logan: How I Accidentally Became a YouTube Star. Below you’ll find downloadable bios, images, interview questions, press materials, and everything you need to cover the book or its authors.
For interview requests, school visits, or press inquiries, scroll down to the contact section.
If you're a librarian, bookseller, educator, or journalist—thank you for helping us bring this book to the kids who need it most. We’re so glad you’re here.
Author Bio, Melanie Hunter
Long bio
Children’s book author Melanie Vitalli and her son Hunter Vitalli, together writing under the pen name Melanie Hunter, have created an authentic middle-grade novel that speaks the language of today’s screen-obsessed kids. Not Logan: How I Accidentally Became a YouTube Star was an idea the pair came up with when Melanie wanted to help her twelve-year-old son enjoy reading and laughed together through the entire writing process.
Melanie’s son Hunter is a smart, hilarious kid who loves gaming and YouTube but hated reading. After years of trying (and failing) to find a book he actually wanted to finish, the duo developed Not Logan by accident, something that a reluctant reader would choose for themselves. The ideas for the story came from Hunter’s real life—his awkward tween moments, weird injuries, everyday gamer antics, and off-the-cuff commentary. It’s like living in a middle-grade sitcom, and though the book’s story is exaggerated a bit, it’s rooted in the hilarious chaos of their daily lives…and way too much YouTube.
Melanie thinks a great book for kids is one in which the character feels relatable, the way a child would speak or behave. She hopes their young readers come away from their story feeling like they are not the only weird kid who messes up or tries hard and still gets it wrong, and that this stays with them long after the book is closed.
Melanie is the co-founder of AngelWatch, a national child safety initiative focused on protecting kids in schools and childcare settings. She is also the founder of an e-commerce startup dedicated to making sustainable, eco-conscious products more accessible and affordable for everyday families. Both of these ventures reflect her passion for innovation, safety, and building a better future for the next generation. Melanie and Hunter split their time between their homes in the Hudson Valley, New York area, where they live with their giant Bernese Mountain dog, two tree frogs, and a toad, and Brentwood, Tennessee, a Nashville suburb.
Short bio
Writing under the pen name Melanie Hunter, Melanie Vitalli and her son Hunter are the writing pair behind the hilarious Not Logan middle-grade fiction book, the idea for which came up when they couldn’t find a book that Hunter wanted to finish reading. Born of Hunter’s awkward tween moments, gamer antics, and hilarious chaos of daily life, the story is for reluctant readers who can relate to the book’s authentic and socially clumsy character.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Do you have a pen name? Or, what name are you using for your book?
Yes, I’m using the pen name Melanie Hunter for this book and our author brand. It’s a combination of our first names, Melanie and Hunter, and felt like the perfect way to reflect that this story was a true collaboration between a mom and her son.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It wasn’t a lifelong dream—I started writing because I wanted to help my 12-year-old son enjoy reading. What began as a fun little idea between us turned into something much bigger: a story we both loved, and one we hoped other kids might love too.
Did something in particular inspire you to write this book?
Yes—my son is a smart, hilarious kid who loves gaming and YouTube… but absolutely hates reading. After years of trying (and failing) to find a book he actually wanted to finish, we ended up writing one by accident. Not Logan was born out of laughter, YouTube chaos, and the idea that storytelling should feel fun, not forced, and speaks the language of today’s screen obsessed kids. We wanted to make reading feel like something they’d actually choose for themselves.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Mostly from my son’s real life. His awkward moments, weird injuries, everyday gamer antics, and off-the-cuff commentary—it’s like living inside a middle-grade sitcom. The story is exaggerated fiction, but it’s rooted in the hilarious chaos of our daily lives… and, of course, way too much YouTube.
Is this your first book?
Yes, and it’s been the most unexpected joy. We didn’t set out to become authors—it just happened one ridiculous chapter at a time.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That reluctant readers don’t hate books—they just haven’t found the right one yet. Humor is powerful. And so is letting kids feel seen in a story that’s actually fun.
What do you think makes a good story?
Voice. If the character feels real, if they sound like a kid would actually talk, and if it makes you laugh or think or cringe in the best way—that’s the magic.
What are you hoping readers take away from reading your book?
I hope they laugh. I hope they feel like they’re not the only weird kid who messes up or tries hard and still gets it wrong. And I hope it makes even the most book-resistant kid want to turn the page.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love spending time with family and friends—there’s nothing better to me than a house full of people, laughter, and way too much food. I’ve always loved entertaining and will take any excuse to throw a party or plan a get-together. Connection and good company are my favorite ways to recharge.
What does your family think of your writing?
They’ve been part of it from the start. My son is my co-creator, my editor, my source of comedic gold. We’ve laughed through this entire process together.
Where do you live? (for press release and regional opportunities)
We currently go between our home in the Hudson Valley, New York and Brentwood, TN (Nashville Suburb).
Would you like your bio to mention anyone significant in your life?
Absolutely—my son. None of this would exist without him. He made me a writer without even trying.
Do you have another career or talent that should be mentioned in your bio or that might be relevant for the press release?
Yes—I’m the co-founder of AngelWatch, a national child safety initiative focused on protecting kids in schools and childcare settings. I’m also the founder of an e-commerce startup dedicated to making sustainable, eco-conscious products more accessible and affordable for everyday families. Both of these ventures reflect my passion for innovation, safety, and building a better future for the next generation.
Do you have any pets and, if so, how many?
One giant Bernese Mountain dog who identifies as a lap dog. And currently two tree frogs and 1 toad, because boys.
Do you have a website? If yes, please provide the URL.
www.notloganbooks.com
Is there anything else you would like your readers to know about you?
If there’s one thing I hope readers know about me, it’s that I’m passionate about creating stories that meet kids where they are, especially those who’ve never thought of themselves as readers. I believe every kid can fall in love with reading, they just need the right story. I started writing to help my own son, and now I hope this book can do the same for other kids who haven’t found ‘their’ book yet. If my work can help even one child enjoy a book for the first time, that’s a win.