Frequently Asked Questions
General Inquiries
1. Do you use AI in your work?
Short answer: I will never knowingly use generative AI for any purpose, full stop.
Longer answer: “AI” is a broad umbrella which can encompass assistive AI (spellcheck, social media algorithms, Siri/Alexa, etc.), and generative AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, etc.), and everything in between. While I may use some assistive AI tools such as spellcheck, which are trained on limited, closed datasets to perform specific functions, I will never knowingly engage with generative AI for any purpose, including but not limited to writing, editing, research, brainstorming, cover design, website design/content, or social media posts.
Generative AI champions mediocrity, propels misinformation, devalues creativity, dulls critical thinking, devours the resources of marginalized communities, and is trained on illegal data including stolen art and violent and dehumanizing imagery, including the sexual assault of children. While I understand that some individuals may be required to use it as a condition of their employment, and do not judge those to whom that applies, I personally see no ethical use for it in any context, and would urge anyone using it discretionally to reconsider that choice.
For more reading on this topic, I recommend:
Karen Hao’s EMPIRE OF AI
This presentation from Amnesty International
This study on the impact of using AI for personal advice
This essay on using AI in an academic setting
The AI Resist List of action items for folks opposed to generative AI
2. How can I get signed copies of your books?
For signed preorders of Dread Chaser, please order from Parnassus Books or Bound Booksellers.
For more information on signed copies of my books and/or signed bookplates, please visit this page.
3. Will you visit my book club?
Yes! I love meeting with book clubs who have chosen to read one of my books. It’s so fun to talk with readers and answer their questions about all the stuff that doesn’t typically come up at events due to spoilers. And I always bring my signing pens to in-person events, so I’ll be happy to sign books for anyone in the club who brings their copy!
If your book club would like to read one of my books, please shoot me an email via my Contact page and we will figure out the best way for me to visit with your club. If you live in the Nashville area, I will try my best to come in person; otherwise, I’m happy to join via Zoom.
4. What format/retailer benefits you the most as the author?
I’m so pleasantly surprised by how many folks have asked specifically where they should buy my books, and in what format, so that I get the most personal benefit from the sale. However, I’ll make this real easy for you—it doesn’t matter.
Yes, I get a higher royalty rate for some formats than others (hardcover gives me the most profit per sale; the rest are about even), but it seriously does not make THAT much of a difference. Just buy the format you enjoy reading the most! The thing that benefits me the most as an author is if you read it and enjoy it (and leave a review, if possible).
Same thing goes for the retailer—my royalty rates are fixed by my publisher according to the format of the book, not where people buy it. I also get the same royalty even if the retailer sells the book at a discount, since the royalty is calculated on the list price of the book. So wherever you tend to buy your books sounds like the perfect place to me.
5. Is there any way to support your books without spending money?
Yes! A huge way you can support my books is by requesting them from your local library. Library sales are a big part of a book’s success, and librarians want to stock the books their local readers are interested in. And the best part is, it is totally free!
You can also check the book out from the library (or put it on hold if it’s already checked out). This shows that there is demand for the book, and may encourage the library to purchase more copies.
Another way to support the book is to leave an honest review wherever books are sold. The more reviews a book has, the more likely it is to show up in searches, enabling more readers to find it. This includes Amazon and Goodreads, of course, but don’t forget Barnes & Noble, Target, BookBub, and Storygraph!
For more suggestions on how to support an author beyond buying their book, check out this fantastic post by author Damyanti Biswas: How Do You Support an Author Without Breaking the Bank?
6. Will you blurb my book?
I’m so honored that you thought of me! All blurb requests must go through my agent, Holly Root.
You Shouldn’t Be Here
1. Is You Shouldn't Be Here YA or Adult?
You Shouldn’t Be Here is a mystery marketed for adults. Like I’ll Stop the World, it is a bit of a crossover title, since it features both teenage and adult characters; however, the primary main character of You Shouldn’t Be Here is an adult (23-year-old Madelyn Zhao, a first-year middle school chorus teacher). And personally, while I think older teens could certainly enjoy You Shouldn’t Be Here, I do think adults are more the target audience for this one.
2. Is there an audio version of You Shouldn't Be Here?
Yes! The audiobook version of You Shouldn’t Be Here, narrated by Christina Ho, is available for purchase on Libro.fm or Audible.
3. Does You Shouldn't Be Here include any potentially triggering content?
You Shouldn’t Be Here contains depictions of narcissistic abuse and manipulation, assault, misogyny, discussion of school shootings, gun violence, murder, and death.
To view a complete list of content warnings for You Shouldn't Be Here, please go here.
4. What sort of diversity and representation is in You Shouldn't Be Here?
Diversity is an important part of the world we live in, so it will always be an important part of my books.
There are two main POV characters in You Shouldn’t Be Here, Madelyn and Angie, and both are biracial-Chinese. Madelyn is half-Chinese and half-white; Angie is a quarter Chinese and 3/4 white. Madelyn also lives with clinical anxiety, for which she takes medication.
The book also prominently features characters of Mexican heritage, and one major white character identifies as a non-binary lesbian.
5. Is there a discussion guide for You Shouldn't Be Here?
Not yet, but I’m working on one. Stay tuned!
6. Will there be a sequel to You Shouldn't Be Here?
I guess such a thing is possible, but it’s not likely. I wrote You Shouldn’t Be Here as a standalone, and I think it wraps up pretty well by the end.
7. Will there be a movie version of You Shouldn't Be Here?
No idea, but that would be rad.
I'll Stop the World
1. Is there an audio version of I'll Stop the World?
Yes! The audio version of I'll Stop the World is available to purchase through Libro.fm and Audible. The nine-person cast stars Michael Crouch as Justin, Natasha Tina Liu as Rose, and features Alaska Jackson, Brian Holden, Mark Sanderlin, Sarah Naughton, Scott Merriman, Marcus Stewart, and David de Vries in supporting roles.
2. Is I'll Stop the World a YA book?
Age categorizations for books can be tricky, especially when it comes to books featuring teenage characters. I'll Stop the World is not a typical YA book in that its narrators range in age from 12 to mid-20s, neither of which sits comfortably within a traditional YA range. But the central protagonists of the book, as well as a large portion of the supporting cast (including multiple other narrators) are 17 and 18 years old and in high school. A significant portion of the plot is also centered in and around the high school, making it not out of place within the YA category.
That said, I'll Stop the World has been positioned by my publisher as a “crossover” title, meaning it can appeal equally to both teens and adults, rather than YA, which is targeted primarily at teens (although adults definitely can and do enjoy it).
As for me, I don’t like to put upper age limits on books; I’m a big proponent of reading what appeals to you, regardless of how old (or young) the target audience for the book is. I like to think of YA as “teens and up,” Middle Grade as “tweens and up,” etc.
So with that said, I'll Stop the World is kind of YA, kind of not, but I don’t think that ultimately matters. Its intended audience is teens and adults who enjoy mysteries, time travel, ensemble casts, multiple points of view, and stories that explore themes of friendship and family. Due to the intensity of certain scenes, I would recommend parents of kids below high school age read it first in order to determine appropriateness.
3. Does I'll Stop the World include any potentially triggering content?
I'll Stop the World contains depictions of emotional abuse, alcoholism and excessive drinking, underage drinking, smoking, racism, discussions of homophobia, and violent bullying.
To view a complete list of content warnings for I’LL STOP THE WORLD, please go here.
4. What sort of diversity and representation is in I'll Stop the World?
I'll Stop the World may take place in a small town (and mostly in the ‘80s), but one of the reasons I chose to make the location both fictional and geographically vague was because I wanted to depict a group of characters that was as diverse as the world we currently inhabit, without having to worry about whether the demographics of Stone Lake were “accurate” to the other small towns I drew from for inspiration.
I'll Stop the World counts among its core cast characters from a variety of backgrounds, including multiple characters who identify as Chinese, Black, Latinx, or white. Some of these characters are biracial. There are also major and supporting characters who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, one of the main protagonists has been diagnosed with ADHD, and several characters experience undiagnosed anxiety.
Obviously, even in a book with a large ensemble cast and multiple narrators, I still can’t represent every variation of life experience—no one book can do that—but I hope that I'll Stop the World helps contribute to the growing pool of stories that allows readers from all sorts of backgrounds to find themselves in books.
5. Is there a discussion guide for I'll Stop the World?
Not yet, but I’ve been asked about this a lot, so I’m working on one! Stay tuned!
6. What does the title I'll Stop the World mean?
The title for I'll Stop the World came from the song “I Melt With You” by Modern English, which I listened to approximately nine thousand times while writing this book.
7. Will there be a movie version of I'll Stop the World?
There are no current plans in the works to turn I'll Stop the World into a movie or TV series, but it would be awesome if it happened.
8. Will there be a sequel to I'll Stop the World?
While I try to never say never, I conceived of and wrote I'll Stop the World as a standalone novel, and my intent is to keep it that way.
Creative Writing and Publishing
1. How can I improve as a writer?
Read, read, read. Read a wide variety of genres and authors, read books from diverse perspectives, and read recently published works. As you read, try to make mental notes of what’s working for you, what you find frustrating, how the author is structuring their work, how they’re holding (or losing) your attention. Then bring all that to the table when you sit down to write.
Also, offer to critique a friend’s writing, and see if they will read and critique for you in return. Aside from being a big help to the person you’re reading for, reading and critiquing for others is one of the best ways I’ve found of improving my own writing skills. Just remember to be kind and constructive — “this sucked” doesn’t give your critique partner much to work with, but “I was confused by X” or “I wish we knew more about Y” gives them a road map to improve.
2. Can you read my manuscript?
I am honored that you’d want my opinion on your writing, but unless I know you personally and have already offered to read for you, unfortunately, the answer is no. However, I think it’s wonderful that you want someone to read for you, and I encourage you to keep looking!
Personally, I’ve had great luck finding critique partners through local writing groups, conferences, and even through social media. Good luck!
3. How can I find a critique partner?
For me and the other writers I know personally, critique partners are an invaluable part of the writing process. A great critique partner (or critique group) can help you find the weak spots in your story, brainstorm through tricky plot tangles, cheer you through writing slumps, hold you accountable to your goals, and help you hone your writing craft.
I found my first-ever critique partner through Twitter (RIP). I didn’t know any local writers, so I just messaged someone I interacted with frequently and knew I got along with and asked if she’d be open to exchanging writing for critique, and she said yes. (This was extremely odd for both of us, as we are both very introverted. Must mean it was meant to be!)
Eventually, I met other writers through local book signings and book events, local SCBWI meetups, writing conferences, and writing retreats. The unifying thread through all of this is that I had to invest in my local writing community by going to support other writers first, and through doing that, I made connections with other writers who were in a similar stage as me and were also looking for the same sorts of relationships I was. There are also plenty of virtual ways writers can connect now, if you don’t have much of a local writing community (although you may have one and just not be aware of it — check with your local library and ask if they know of any writing groups in your area who are open to new members!)
Whether you find your critique partners online, in person, or a mixture of both, my experience has always been that the best way to get others to invest in you is to be willing to invest in others. I hope you find your people.
4. How did you get your agent?
I actually went to college with my agent, although we didn’t know each other well at the time, and when I first started querying, I also had a referral from one of her existing clients. But… she still wound up passing. The book I’d written just wasn’t strong enough for her to sign me.
So I wrote another book, and I queried her again, and that book (which was not I'll Stop the World) was the one that convinced her to represent me. Long story short, all the personal connections in the world still can’t get you in the door if the writing isn’t there yet. The work has to stand on its own.
5. Can you refer me to your agent?
My agent is brilliant and if you believe she (or any of the other amazing agents at Root Literary) would be a good fit for you and your work, I recommend you query them according to the submission guidelines at the Root Literary website.
That said, I can’t personally refer you if I don’t know you and/or haven’t read your work. But don’t let that discourage you — good work is always enough!
6. How do I write a query letter?
The best resources I have found to learn everything you’ll ever want to know about writing query letters are Query Shark and literary agent Eric Smith's Perfect Pitch page. There is no piece of advice I could give you that is better than what you'll find on those sites.
7. How do I write a synopsis?
Writing a synopsis is the bane of my existence. That said, this post from author Susan Dennard is the best tool I have found for creating a synopsis. The questions in her worksheet can be fleshed out as much as you want, so while her tutorial is specifically for a one-page synopsis, you can go longer if you’d like.
8. I have a great idea for a book. Would you like to write it?
If you have a great idea for a book, YOU should be the one to write it! No one will ever write your idea the way it is in your head. Take, for example, the premise “A man wakes up to find that he’s living the same day over and over, and must figure out how to break the cycle.” That idea can give you Groundhog Day, or Edge of Tomorrow. Ideas are just a starting point; the story comes in the execution.
So if you have a great idea, that’s awesome! But I am not the one to write it. YOU are the one best equipped to develop that great idea into a full-fledged story. If you think, “but I’m not a writer,” just try it and see. You may be surprised.
Freelance writing
1. Where can I read your pop culture articles?
The Pop Culture Writing page on my website has links to all of my published articles.
2. Do you still write pop culture articles?
On and off, although I have pulled back significantly from my pre-publishing frequency. You can probably find my most recent articles on TheWrap or Paste.
3. I want to get into freelance writing. Do you have any tips?
Step one: write! If you’ve never published any writing before, now is the time to start. When you’re first starting out, you just need to show you’re capable of writing the type of articles you want outlets to pay you for. Start a blog or ask a friend if you can write some articles for their site. It’s okay to start small; you just need some pieces out in the world that you can link to.
After you’ve got some published pieces under your belt, you can start pitching editors at publications you want to write for. Come up with ideas for articles you’d want to write, and why you’re the right person to write them, and start sending out emails (always stick to email — not social media DMs — and always use an editor’s professional email, not their personal one). Stay organized (spreadsheets help!), be prepared to be told “no” a lot, and above all, stay professional.
Once you’ve been hired to write an article, make sure to communicate clearly, follow whatever guidelines your editor gives you, and stick to your deadlines. If your editors enjoy working with you, that’s the best way I’ve found to keep placing articles.
4. Can you put me in contact with your editor at [outlet]?
I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. Not only would my editors not appreciate me giving out their email addresses willy nilly, but I can’t be sure they’re still accepting freelance pitches or haven’t moved jobs since the last time I wrote for them. The good news is that many editors list their contact information in their social media, so that’s a great place to start coming up with your own list!
About Lauren
1. How do you pronounce your last name?
THO-man. With a soft “th” sound as in “three,” long “o” as in “hope,” rhymes with “woman.”
2. Did you always want to be a writer?
Nope. I’ve always been a reader, and I’ve always loved to analyze the books and films and shows I enjoyed, but it didn’t occur to me to try my hand at writing my own stories until around 2012. Once I started, though, I couldn’t stop.
3. Do you have a writing degree?
My degree is actually in music education. I taught band and choir for about five minutes before realizing that was not the path for me.
4. Is I'll Stop the World your first book?
It’s the first book I sold, but not the first book I’ve written. It’s not even the first book I tried to sell. For every “yes” I have heard since I started writing toward publication, I’ve gotten dozens of “no”s. But I can honestly say I’m a much better writer now because of it. And I still have hopes that those previous books won’t stay on their shelves forever.
5. What does your bio mean about "a fluctuating number of dogs?"
Right now, we have two dogs. We adopted Astrid in June of 2020, and Fezzik in June of 2021. Astrid is a Lab/Aussie mix, and Fezzik is a Shih Tzu. Both were puppies when we adopted them.
We also foster dogs, which means sometimes we have more than just Astrid and Fezzik. We love dogs, and think every dog deserves a loving home. If fostering helps a dog find their forever family, we are happy to do it.
6. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA, but my husband and I have lived outside Nashville, TN for most of our marriage.
7. What is your heritage?
My mother is white, and my father is Chinese. My grandparents immigrated from China to the United States when my dad was a baby.