Storyteller and Author
(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. Take a look and turn up the sound: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=763073140040982&t=0
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 be coming for you.)
HUGE KUDOS to Carl for his wit and insight (not to mention cojones for taking on all that is rotten in Florida and currently in the nation.) Thank you, Carl!!! We needed this. I mean really, really.
[WARNING: wearing Depends may be necessary.]
https://carlhiaasen.com/books/fever-beach/
A story of mine, “Abandoned,” is going to go live on July 23rd on Twenty-two Twenty-eight, the online publisher that published my essay, “Staying on Tiptoes,” March 11, 2024.
This one was written about a chilling incident I witnessed last summer driving past Bert’s, our abandoned beachfront restaurant, right here in Plymouth, MA. Look for it at: https://www.twentytwotwentyeight.com/
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 and recognize these kids; maybe you grew up with them. Or maybe you were one. https://www.amazon.com/My-Friends-Novel-Fredrik-Backman/dp/1982112824
My editor friend sent me this today and it’s too hilarious not to share. Also brilliant.
Bee whale, LingEarths!
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB-KcNPB-E0
The cover alone had me laughing, but the trailer . . . Wow! Great fun.
Available directly from them via Ingram Sparks, or Barnes & Noble, and, of course, Amazon. Here’s their Ingram Sparks link: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=VNxl4GVhBJn6beRrh1rnihlB4QzUC5w6DaP65g2sZYy
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:
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, “What is WRONG with you?” Because if you don’t love Elizabeth Zott, her daughter Mad, and dog Six-Thirty, there is something very wrong with you.
I give it 5 gigantic gold stars!
WARNING: it’s best not to read it a) on public transit, b) in a restaurant (for hygienic reasons), and/or c) too far from a toilet, unless you’re wearing Depends.
Just got the book (The Fables Next Door) with my new story, “Serving the Public,” in it and was blown away to find there are COLORED illustrations inside for each story! So please remember, they plan to reprint in July with B&W interiors. Order now and get the full experience! (The price dropped, too). I AM SO THRILLED!
Will post images of my story’s illustration as soon as I get them from the editor, so you can see how much FUN this book is.
(This story may be one of the funniest I’ve written yet.)
And, to give you an example of some of the artwork, here are the two illustrations they made up for my story:
And below is the hilarious spoof fantasy ad sheet with my bio. There’s a different one of these for every story.
Lauren Stoker