Rob Rufus is an author, musician, screenwriter, and advocate. He is the recipient of the American Library Association’s prestigious ALEX Award. His literary debut, Die Young With Me, was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Hudson Booksellers and is currently being developed as a major motion picture. His follow-up, The Vinyl Underground, was named one of the Junior Library Guild’s Gold Standard Selections. He lives with his dog in East Nashville, Tennessee. Catch him on the road with his bands The Bad Signs or Blacklist Royals, and learn more at www.robrufus.net In this episode, Rob talks about:    His first book - Die Young With Me    The power of artistic expression    His 2nd and 3rd book: The Vinyl Underground and Paradise, WV    Touring with his band The Blacklist Royals    The “Band Drummer” vs the “Working Drummer”    Realities of being a working creative    Facing down cancer that gave him a new outlook on life