R.K. Slade

R.K. Slade writes marching band and music-driven fiction for young adults, and the young-at-heart who still remember what it feels like to mark time to the beat.

R.K. blends a lifelong passion for music, a deep love for storytelling, and a unique perspective shaped by years of music mentoring and coaching. His work combines emotional resonance with rhythmic prose—capturing the awkward, electric, unforgettable moments that define the band room experience.

He’s also the creator and curator of the Marching Band Is Awesome communities on Instagram and Facebook, where thousands of music lovers, band directors, drum corps fans, and former band kids connect and celebrate the marching arts.

R.K.’s current YA series, Me & the Marching Bands, follows one teen’s four-year journey through four different towns, four different bands, and one powerful arc of music, friendship, and finding your place. The series launched in Summer 2025 with Into the Rising Storm, followed by three more titles through the fall.