She is the author of the young adult book An Off Year published by Dutton in 2009 and selected by Indie Booksellers for the Autumn 2009 Kids' Indie Next List[3] and cited as one of the ALA's 2010 Best Books for Young Adults.[4][5] It was received positively, with Kirkus Reviews writing "Teens who have doubted the high-school–college-life progression for even a moment will recognize themselves in Cecily, perhaps to their parents’ dismay."[6] and Publishers Weekly describing it as "a candid first novel filled with funny-smart, true-to-life observations and dialogue"[7] She states that the book, based loosely on her own experiences, took over 10 years to write.[8]
Zulkey has published the blog Zulkey.com since 2002. In 2011 NPR affiliate WBEZ began producing the site.[9] The blog features humor writing and interviews with performers and authors. In 2006, The Smoking Gun cited Zulkey's interview[10] with James Frey in its report A Million Little Lies.[11] Zulkey is also a contributor at The A.V. Club[12] and the Los Angeles Times.[13] Zulkey produces the Chicago literary humor reading series Funny Ha-Ha,[14] which describes itself as "The Best Reading in Chicago. Ever." Chicago Magazine has rated it one of the 10 best literary salons in Chicago.[15]
