Here's a cool first for me...
April 2025
Hi friends,
Well, The Incorruptibles season is starting to finally FINALLY be upon us. This book comes out in 1.5 months, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this epic story with you so soon!
Here’s a cool first for me: My publisher put together these incredible mailers for The Incorruptibles that include an early copy of the book, a letter I wrote, and squad buttons.
We have buttons. WE HAVE BUTTONS!!!!!!!! I nearly fainted at the sight of the buttons. They’re just so magnificent. And I’m never ever going to take mine off!!!
As for the letter, I really wanted to share it with you as my newsletter essay this month… 1) because I think it’s a great introduction to the book, 2) because I spent a lot of time on it, and 3) because this letter means a lot to me. The things I say here are often what’s on my mind and in my heart.
So, enjoy:
Good news and updates
I received two AMAZING blurbs from authors that I admire so, so much! They’re two of my favorite authors (as a reader myself)—and two of the most humble, kindhearted people on the planet.
Jonathan Stroud, internationally bestselling author of the Lockwood & Co. series (my favorite book series of all time!), the Bartimaeus Sequence, and the Scarlett & Browne trilogy said so many lovely, wonderful things about The Incorruptibles:
Tae Keller, NYT bestselling author of the Newbery Medal-winning book When You Trap a Tiger (as well as my own personal favorite of her collection Jennifer Chan is Not Alone), had this to say about The Incorruptibles:
I’m currently giving away 3 of Tae Keller’s books to celebrate this most recent blurb announcement. So make sure you enter that giveaway to win a copy of When You Trap a Tiger, Jennifer Chan is Not Alone, and The Science of Breakable Things.
I’m so grateful to Tae Keller and Jonathan Stroud! And so honored and over-the-moon! More blurbs and good news to come next month! <3
Upcoming events
May 3rd: Hudson Children’s Book Festival, Hudson, NY (10 am to 3 pm)
June 14th: Incorruptibles Launch Party, Children’s Book World, Haverford, PA (2 pm)
June 22nd: Fantasy middle grade panel, Books of Wonder, NYC (3 pm)
Sept 27th: Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, Chappaqua, NY (10 am to 4 pm)
Oct 4th: Collingswood Book Festival, Collingswood, NJ (10 am to 4 pm)
Oct 12th: Warwick Children’s Book Festival, Warwick, NY (11 am to 4 pm)
And you can always book me directly into your school for a visit in the 2025-2026 school year.
A personal request
This is usually where I put the “what I’m writing” section, but instead, I wanted to ask you for a favor. If you know—for sure—that you’re unable to attend my June events (the launch party in Philly or my book panel in NYC), then please order a copy of The Incorruptibles now. Or two copies, and give one to a friend’s kid. Or five copies. (I certainly won’t put up a fight about that!)
Why? Because preorders are SUPER important for authors.
Why? Because preorders help the publisher see how much enthusiasm exists for the book. If there are great early sales numbers (before the book even comes out), then the publisher supports and pushes the book even harder. Preorders also help brick-and-mortar bookshops see if it’s worth devoting shelf space to a book:
Barnes & Noble: Preorders at Barnes & Noble can influence whether a book gets stocked in any of their stores. And right now B&N is having a 25% off all preorders sale. This applies to the hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. Pick your poison!
These sales only come once a quarter, and it ends tomorrow, so don’t miss out on the discounted price:
Your local independent bookstore: Preordering at your local independent bookstore is one of the best things you could do for your community. Indie bookstores are the bedrock of our industry, and they have to compete against big corporate giants, so please spend your money with the local bookshops—every indie bookseller I’ve ever met cares so deeply about books. Preorders will also help indie bookstores figure out what’s worth putting on their shelves.
Independent bookstore day is on Saturday April 26th! So you could order The Incorruptibles there! Go to your bookstore in person on Saturday to preorder, order through your local indie’s website, or use Bookshop.org to donate your book purchase profits to your local indie bookstore of choice. That’s what I’ve linked here:
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for ordering The Incorruptibles early. Preordering a copy is truly the kindest thing you can do for me. Also, maybe a kind thing you do for a kid? Or yourself? Because you’re going to have so much fun in this world!!
Hold onto your receipt because in next month’s newsletter, I’ll share with you what I have planned as a token of my gratitude for anyone who preorders. <3
Two last little favors:
1) If you have an early copy, please read it early!
2) If you have read it already, don’t forget to leave a review on Goodreads and/or Netgalley.
What I’m reading
Red Rising series by Pierce Brown: Yes, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of one of the most popular adult SFF series around. I’m really enjoying it! (I think so far Morning Star has been my favorite, with Golden Son a very close second.) This series is gory and intense and has made me gasp quite a few times. I’ve been reading via the audiobook, which I highly recommend. The actor who does Darrow’s voice is excellent, and the tense scenes feel even more heightened when I’m listening.
Saying Goodbye
Ok ok, let’s be real: I couldn’t actually not mention my writing… So my big update is that I just got notes back on my first draft of The Incorruptibles 2.
Here’s some of what my editor had to say:
“Your action scenes are amazing; readers will be all in for the thrill ride you take them on. The last act is soooo tense, with all the drama building—I was practically biting my nails. All the twists and turns are awesome and I love the direction you’ve gone in. It’s dark but it feels right… I really love this so much. You gobsmacked me a million times!”
I still have more work to do to strengthen it up. But for now, I’m so pleased with its starting line! Of course, you have to read The Incorruptibles 1 to get to all these thrilling, tense, and twisty moments in book 2. So don’t forget to smash that preorder button:
Yours in gobsmackery,
Lauren