Author Archives: Lauren Stoker

More monsters coming right up!

(And they’re not even politicians!)Critical Blast, which has published two others of my stories, has a new anthology, More Monsters Next Door, released Dec. 5, 2025. Just in time for a perfect Grinch Christmas!My story is called “Buryin’ Mama.” Available via Critical Blast, IngramSpark, and Amazon. The publisher does really fun trailers for his books.Continue reading “More monsters coming right up!”

Carl Hiaasen’s Finest Hour!

Carl’s latest novel, Fever Beach, is the all-time funniest, wish-fulfilling political satire in the history of the world, or at least the U.S.A. If you aren’t laughing out loud and jumping up and down, fist-pumping the air, while reading this book . . . well, we know who and what you are. (And may beContinue reading “Carl Hiaasen’s Finest Hour!”

Fredrik Backman—A Very Funny (and Sweet) Man

If you’ve read and love Fredrik Backman, one of my personal favorite authors, you will love him even more after you watch this! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NSuSyZ92Cjg His latest book, My Friends, is, like all its predecessors, wonderful though full of heartbreak. Yet his kind and perceptive humor transcends and shines through to the end. You’ll love andContinue reading “Fredrik Backman—A Very Funny (and Sweet) Man”

In the God market? Time to go shopping!

Critical Blast, the terrific publisher who published my snarky fairy tale, “Serving the Public,” in May, 2024, has published another of my stories, “The Universal Thread,” in its fabulous new anthology, Gods & Services: New Location. And the publication date? April first! (Perfect.) Wait, there’s more! Here is the brilliant trailer he made for it:Continue reading “In the God market? Time to go shopping!”

Ticking Clocks

An essay of mine was published yesterday, two days ahead of the inauguration, in the MetroWest Daily News. So far, this link is actually working without a subscription, but in case it doesn’t work for you, here it is: https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/opinion/columns/2025/01/18/plymouth-woman-fears-the-added-pressure-of-trump-presidency-opinion-columnist/77671366007/ If you don’t have or want a subscription, here’s the article:

Feel-Good Must Read!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is my current “most huggable” book. It’s a jump-up-and-down, fist-in-the-air, triumphant (ultimately) feel-good book that leaves mere banner-waving “feminism” in the dust. Scathingly perceptive and human, hilarious and poignantly sad by turns, it’s an absolute “must read,” if you don’t want people to narrow their eyes and say, “WhatContinue reading “Feel-Good Must Read!”