NEW YORK (AP) — The author of "Thirteen Reasons Why," the million-selling young adult novel being developed as a Netflix series, has finished his first solo work of fiction in nearly a decade.

Penguin Young Readers told The Associated Press on Wednesday it would be publishing Jay Asher's "What Light," billed as a "contemporary romance" that features a Christmas tree lot in northern California. According to Penguin, Asher was inspired to write the book after reading about a family in Oregon with a Christmas tree lot. "What Light" comes out Oct. 11.

"Thirteen Reasons Why," his first book, was published in 2007 and sold more than 2 million copies. Selena Gomez is serving as executive director of the Netflix project.

Asher has also collaborated with Carolyn Mackler on "The Future Of Us."