A series of fortunate events -- and blazing talent -- propelled Kyle from homeless teenager to novelist. He was languishing in a Brooklyn, N.Y., high school and seeking a transfer when a teacher invited him to join her writing class. Impressed by his talent, she put him in touch with a publisher, who was equally wowed: Kyle’s first novel, Nameless -- which he wrote while living in a shelter -- was published in January 2012. The story, about a demon fighting for survival, reflects Kyle's gift for turning norms and clichés on their heads.