What it feels like to release a new book
May 2025
Hi friends,
The Incorruptibles comes out in less than two weeks, and I thought I’d tell you a little bit about what it feels like to release a brand new series…
Have you ever been skydiving without a parachute?
A little bit like that.
Kidding (kind of). It’s probably more like your regular spinny teacups scrambler: exhilarating sometimes, nauseating sometimes, dizzying always. And when the ride stops, I’ll just want to get in line to do it all over again.
Here’s where the nausea comes from: I have absolutely no idea how this book is going to land. And that terrifies me.
Part 1 fear: Will this book land emotionally?
Will this book resonate with readers? Will they fall in love with it, the way I want them to? Will it reach the kids who need themes of found families and resilience and kicking tyranny’s butt? Am I opening myself up to a bunch of queerphobic hate mail?
Part 2 fear: Will this book land sales-wise?
In an era of book bans and not-stocking-books-with-queer-characters, did I hurt my own potential by doubling down on the inclusivity and warmth? Will readers who might love it even discover it? Because no one can buy a book they’ve never heard of. And will it sell enough to warrant more books in the series (my ultimate dream)?
Part 3 fear: Literally everything is out of my control.
It’s hard to accept that I don’t have control over anything on the business end when creative is nothing but control. I control the premise, the characters, the plot, the setting, the pacing… I’m Queen of the Kingdom when it comes to my own fictional worlds. But on the business side? I control nothing. The sales, the marketing, the publicity coverage, the buy-in from bookstores and big box chains, the stroke of luck that’s often needed—like a sprinkle of pixie dust—to help a book succeed. All of it is out of my hands.
But there’s more than just fear here. There’s unbridled hope. And excitement. And joy. The way I feel about this series? Complete and total obsession. This is exactly the kind of intricate, engaging, character-driven, dark academia fantasy world I would have LOVED as middle grade reader. (The kind I still love as an adult.)
Part 1 excitement: The reader response
The positive responses I’ve been receiving from early readers have been astonishing. Influencers and booksellers have come back glowing. One early reader said to me, “This healed something inside of me I didn’t know needed healing.” I’m still riding high on that Kirkus starred review. I received blurbs from my kidlit heroes, four of the writers I look up to most in this industry. And Papa Mags just read it and said “Lau, this is your best writing yet.” (And he’s not an easy reader to please!)
Part 2 excitement: The publisher response
My publisher is really supportive of this book. (If you’re not in this industry, you’re probably like, “That’s something that should go without saying… they bought the book!” But if you are in this industry, you know how rare and special it is not to have your book thrown at the wall like spaghetti to see if it sticks.) Happy to report, I do not feel like spaghetti! Green flags all around for Simon & Schuster. I’ve been so happy with the whole team!
Part 3 excitement: My response
I literally just got two copies this morning, and they are so freaking BEAUTIFUL.
Pictures don’t even do Devin Elle Kurtz’s cover justice. The title is embossed, which means it’s raised and tactile. The girls and lightning are in spot gloss, which means they’re shiny and catch the light. The insides are just so perfect. These are my words. MY WORDS. My heart and soul. My pandemic escape. My pride and joy from the moment I started working on this series in 2019.
The story—which is so much about the corrupting influence of unchecked power—feels so cathartic in this current climate. So necessary. The characters feel like friends you love. The world-building is high stakes and scary, but Inc Academy is welcoming and loving. The vibe of the book is action-packed and exciting. Breathless, Kirkus called it. And I truly believe it’s an exhilarating, immersive, empowering read.
I’m just going to say it. This is the best thing I’ve ever written. This is my favorite thing. And yes, I know, it’s like picking between children, but TOO BAD, The Incorruptibles is my favorite child.
And whenever I think that, I flip right back to fear and anxiety again. Round and round we go on the spinny teacup scrambler. Because loving a book this passionately comes with the most intense vulnerability I’ve ever experienced. Because I hope you love it like I love it. I hope you share it with kids you know. I hope you buy a copy.
And if you do purchase this book right now, I have thank you gifts. <3
No matter where you are in the world, if you buy a copy of The Incorruptibles—hardcover, ebook, or audiobook—before June 11, 2025 you will receive:
1) an Incorruptibles bookmark
2) a signed and personalized Incorruptibles bookplate
And readers with a US mailing address will also receive:
3) a floral notebook of your choosing
Email laurenmagazinerassistant@gmail.com with your receipt, and these prizes are yours. Any retailer qualifies you for this gift, but if I could choose for you, please support an independent bookstore.
And thank you so much for your support—of this book and of me. You know how I said that publishing a new series feels like skydiving without a parachute? Well, I just realized: whoever buys this book, YOU are my parachute.
Good News, Media, and Press
Good news:
I have two more blurbs!
Erin Entrada Kelly, two-time Newbery Medalist, New York Times Bestselling author, and absolute industry legend had lovely things to say about The Incorruptibles:
Amanda Foody, New York Times Bestselling author of the Wilderlore series (of which I am obsessed) said these wonderful words about The Incorruptibles:
I’m currently giving away 3 of Amanda Foody’s books to celebrate this most recent blurb announcement. So make sure you enter that giveaway to win a copy of the first three Wilderlore books in a box set.
Press:
—A guest essay in SLJ’s Teen Librarian Toolbox called “Writing Queer Characters with Warmth, Empathy, and Inclusive Joy.” Click here to read.
—An interview with ThereAreNoBadBooks, flash Q&A style. Click here to read.
Upcoming events
June 14th: The Incorruptibles Launch Party, Children’s Book World, Haverford, PA (2 pm), in conversation with NYT Bestselling author of the Wilderlore series, Amanda Foody— Q&A, signing, and thematic food and refreshments will be served
June 22nd: Great Reads For Ages 10 & Up Panel, Books of Wonder, NYC (3 pm)
June 29th: If you’re a librarian, I’ll be signing copies of The Incorruptibles in the S&S booth at ALA, Philadelphia (1 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 11th: Morristown Festival of Books, Morristown, NJ
Oct 12th: Warwick Children’s Book Festival, Warwick, NY (11 am to 4 pm)
And I’m starting to schedule school visits in the 2025-2026 school year, so please reach out to get more information or to get on my roster.
What I’m Writing
THE INCORRUPTIBLES series (June 10, 2025): Currently toiling away on The Incorruptibles 2, which I think is pretty mind-blowing, if I do say so myself!!!
As for The Incorruptibles 1? Two weeks!!!! TWO WEEKS. As we’ve just discussed, it’s a real tumble-dry cycle of emotions over here.
If you have an early copy, please read and review in the next few weeks—join my Inc squad, help me spread the word! Building buzz and electrifying energy for a new series is a team effort, and I would so love to have you on board!
If you don’t have an early copy, you can order yours now, so it arrives the moment it drops, and still join my Inc squad to help me spread the word about this energizing, fun, warmhearted, badass book:
THE MYTHICS series (available now): We’re not focusing on this girl gang at the moment, but they’re still here, hanging out in the background, waiting to be adored by any 6-10 year old in your life. Perfect for summer reading, especially book 1, which starts on the beaches of Seaside Sands.
CASE CLOSED series (available now): We’re not focusing on this interactive puzzle-packed mystery series at the moment, but it’s still here, hanging out in the background, waiting to be adored by any 8-12 year old in your life. Perfect for competing with video games this summer.
Saying Goodbye
Goodbye… for now! But I’ll be back in your inbox on release day (June 10th) with so much more to say about this series that has captured my mind, my heart, and my soul.
Until then,
Lauren
Congratulations Lauren! ✨ I can’t wait to see this new book series soar!