The Incorruptibles Cover Reveal
October 2024
Hi friends,
If you missed it, I got a new author photo... Just in time for a new era!
“Wait, what’s the new era?” I imagine you saying. Well…..
The new era is THE INCORRUPTIBLES, my brand new epic fantasy series with a large, inclusive cast—coming out next summer. I’m finally getting into upper middle grade, which is for readers ages 10 to 14. (Slightly older than what I’ve been doing, but still in that amazing middle grade space!)
When I was in middle school, I hungered for series that could be funny, gutting, and thought-provoking at the same time—something to laugh at, something to cry about, something to sink your teeth into. To me, this represents that vital intersection between being a kid and a teen. A strange age where you are craving whimsy and wonder and laughter and light, while—at the same time—seeking space for shadows. The Incorruptibles is so like that, and I’m very excited to cut you into this world.
My agent’s pitch— The School for Good and Evil meets Lockwood & Co.
My editor’s pitch— Keeper of the Lost Cities meets The Marvellers
My pitch— Fire Emblem: Three Houses meets Naruto, but make it gay
(Isn’t it funny how we have three wildly different comp titles for the same book? Personally, I think my pitch might be a little too specific, but anyone who gets it, GETS IT.)
Some of the things I love about The Incorruptibles:
—a sorting element, but one where YOU get to choose your own fate. (How very pick-your-own-path of me. *winks at camera*)
—extremely inclusive in a way that feels like a warm hug. This book is full of body positivity, racial diversity, disability rep, queer joy, and more.
—the tech that the students use at Inc Academy (which is more of a brawling boot camp than a school); tech vs. magic is so much fun
—tragic backstories, dark secrets, undercover spies, and so much fodder for theorizing future books
—the narrative voice, which is often sarcastic and humorous
—the villains, who have the most dangerously cool powers coupled with the most narcissistic, arrogant dialogue
—nuanced approach to themes, for example: good vs. evil in a world where everyone sees themself as the “good” one, and another example: the way power can corrupt those who have it and give those folks a false sense of superiority
—the characters: I mean there are so many that I’m absolutely obsessed with. I’ll refrain from naming them, at least until you know who I’m referencing. But there are at least 10 that I could gush about!
—first ever character death of my whole career, and it’s right in book one; I pulled no punches with this series
—adorable first crush romances in a world that normalizes liking who you like, no coming out necessary
—a cover illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz that is jaw-droppingly beautiful, fun, and badass, all in equal measure. Devin drew the characters in a way that makes me want to befriend them, even though they could likely beat me up. I’m obsessed with the cover’s bright neon-ish colors that pop off the computer screen—and I imagine will soon pop off the bookshelf. Paired with a title treatment that looks totally iconic. Plus, the lightning! The academy! The sneaky flowers! The wardrobe, which is giving Zelda Breath of the Wild in the best way!
“Oh my god, enough talking!!!” I imagine you interrupting. “We were promised a cover reveal, and BY GEORGE, Lauren, you ought to know the rule by now: show, don’t tell!”
So without further ado:
Cover art: Devin Elle Kurtz
Cover design: Tiara Iandiorio
Editor: Kara Sargent
Agent: Alexandra Levick
Publisher: Aladdin Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster)
And here is the description going on the cover jacket:
Welcome to the resistance…
Fiora Barrowling lives in a world where sorcerers are made, not born—and they use their power to rule over humans. After sorcerers killed her parents, there’s no one Fiora despises more—what type of horrible person sells their soul for a hint of power?
Working as her uncle’s apprentice in his tailor shop, Fiora is stuck living under strict sorcerer rule, obeying curfews, avoiding other kids, and silencing all her doubts… but Fiora knows there has to be another way.
Sick and tired of the sorcerers’ cruelty, Fiora impulsively defies two very dangerous ones, and in the skirmish, a stranger comes to her aid with tech that can combat magic. Fiora discovers that the fabled counter-sorcerer group, The Incorruptibles, is not just a legend. Now that she knows the resistance is real, Fiora wants to fight—she has to be an Inc.
But kids are thoroughly tested before they’re chosen to enroll at Inc Academy, and Fiora missed the entrance exam. Her welcome comes with conditions: if she wants a permanent spot, Fiora must prove herself in a trial period. When suspicious accidents start to occur on Inc training missions, all eyes turn to Fiora. Now she must prove that she not only deserves to stay, but that she isn’t the spy selling the Incs out!
C’mon, how good does that sound??? Smash the preorder button—and hang onto your receipt, my lovely future Incs!
What I’m Writing
THE MYTHICS series (3/4ths available now): The Mythics 4 is coming in less than two months now. Which feels… surreal. On the one hand, I’m so sad that it’s ending. On the other hand, I’m absolutely OVERJOYED with how this final volume turned out: action, adventure, emotional growth, big reveals, mythical beast antics. I couldn’t be more eager to share this final volume with you! Thanks for waiting so patiently!
Marina and the Kraken, Hailey and the Dragon, and Kit and the Nine-Tailed Fox = out now!
Ember and the Phoenix = available for preorder, releasing December 3rd.
THE INCORRUPTIBLES series (June 10, 2025): We finally have a release date!!! It’s the perfect book to kick off Pride Month (with its easy, breezy, beautiful queer rep) and the perfect book to kick off your summer (with its high-octane magic vs. tech battles). It’s up on Goodreads, and you can add it to your shelf!
And we have a cover, which you saw above!!! SQUEEEEEEEAL!!!!
The best part is that you can preorder it RIGHT NOW:
CASE CLOSED series (out now): I’ve been having such a fun time with these during book festival season! They sell out so fast, and Haunting at the Hotel is especially popular for October. Remember, you can read them in any order, so if a mystery about a ghost haunting at a hotel in the mountains during a blizzard where you’re trapped in with the ghost sounds appealing, then it’s the perfect time to read!!! (Once upon a time, I pitched Haunting at the Hotel to my editor as Scooby Doo meets the Shining.)
Trauma Project (work in progress): I have notes back from my agent on trauma project. She felt like this last draft grew leaps and bounds—and said that she had visceral reactions to some of the scenes. (Honestly? Good!) She described the next round of revision as “precision surgery,” and that’s what it feels like: fine-tuning and finessing. One of the things I keep thinking about (since this is a memoir-ish book) is grappling with the idea of true vs. factual. Sometimes the facts and timelines exactly as they were don’t read as emotionally resonant, real, or true as a version of the story that has a bit more fudging and smudging. I think watching Baby Reindeer recently helped me with that: to keep the story true, it might need to be a little less factual. More than anything else, my focus needs to be on keeping the emotions real.
What I’m reading
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett: I adore this book—the chemistry between Emily and Wendell is off the charts adorable!!! As I said on Instagram, Emily Wilde has all the hallmarks of what I love most about Heather’s writing in middle grade too: gorgeous prose, witty humor/banter, lovable (and sometimes prickly) characters, and settings you want to melt into.
Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu: This was the modern middle grade retelling of The Yellow Wallpaper that I never knew I needed, but I did need this one!! I’m in awe. The not-quite ghost served as such a powerful metaphor for chronic fatigue and invisible illness, and I love it when my horror books have deep themes that keep me thinking for a long time after. I listened to it on audiobook, and I highly recommend that version because the narrator’s voice gets so deliciously creepy.
Where to Find Me
Sunday October 13th: Warwick Children’s Book Festival (11 am to 4 pm)
Thursday November 21st: NCTE roundtable discussion (1 pm)
And maybe at your school! I’m still booking visits during the 2024-2025 school year, and I would LOVE to visit your school! If you’re looking for authors for Read Across America / Dr. Seuss week, now is a great time to reach out. I’m also planning a big school visit blitz for the weeks of June 2nd and June 9th to celebrate The Incorruptibles. If your school would like to be part of that celebratory tour, please let me know!
Saying Goodbye
What does it mean to be a hero or a villain? Do intentions matter when you’re deciding whether an action is morally good or morally bad—or does only the end result matter? What makes someone “good” or “bad”? When hate begets hate, how do you stop the cycle? When you’re suffering, how do you back away from revenge? How do you heal from emotional pain?
If these questions interest you, then so will THE INCORRUPTIBLES.
My big wish is that you preorder it, so that you can read it right away next summer. When you’ve picked your squad and become as invested in these lovable characters as I am, I hope you feel like the story is alive… and written just for you. I can promise you this: when the academy gates unlock on June 10th, you will find a place where everyone—everyone—belongs. I can’t wait. <3
Exactly 8 months to go until we kick some sorcerer butt,
Lauren
Congrats!!! The Incorruptibles sounds SO GREAT!
Love that cover!!