Q&A With Lauren Edmondson 

Tonight’s Q&A is with bestselling author Lauren* Edmondson. Some of Lauren’s novels are “Ladies of the House: A Modern Retelling of Sense & Sensibility,” and “Wedding of the Season,” coming out February 21st 2023. 

Q: So Lauren what do you love most about writing? What do you like the least?

A: I love writing, mostly when I’m done with it for the day. For me, “writing” is a lot of sitting in front of the computer and staring off into space, thinking. Those moments, when I am puzzling over a plot point, or a character’s motivations, or trying to find the correct word for the moment, can be tedious and frustrating, but once I get it–once I find the piece I’m looking for–writing can be an absolute delight. At least for the next three minutes, until I run into another problem. 

Q: When in your life did you realize that your calling was to be an author?

A: My writing professor in college, the great American short story writer and novelist Jim Shepard, was the first to point out to me that being an author requires talent, yes, but also wild amounts of perseverance and grit, and a high tolerance for rejection. This actually cemented my desire to write books, and gave me—weirdly?—large amounts of hope that I would succeed. Because while I was not the most brilliant writer in his classes, I knew I was one of the hardest working. 

Q: Where do you get all your ideas for your stories?

A: Usually in non-fiction books or magazine articles, although my idea for Wedding of the Season came during a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, and a visit to The Breakers, the grandest of all the Gilded Age mansions there. After the tour of The Breakers sparked my interest in the obscenely wealthy families that summered in Newport, I turned to all sorts of memoir and historical fiction to research and world-build. 

Q: What advice do you give to aspiring authors? What advice do you give to those same aspiring authors who deal with writers block?

A: Learn as much about the business of publishing as you can. Artistry is important, but traditional publishing, especially with the big five publishers, is a for-profit business. This is something I still have to remind myself! Traditional publishers are looking for stories that will sell in the marketplace. Of course, no one has any idea of what will speak to readers, but everyone is doing their best to make educated guesses. It’s probably good to educate yourself, then, about what is selling and to whom. Publisher’s Marketplace is the place to be for this information. Also, please keep in mind that rejection might not have anything to do with how talented a writer is; it only might be a reflection on the current marketplace, and what publishers are looking for at the moment.  

Q: What advice would you give to new and aspiring writers about how to deal with negative feedback whether it be from family and friends who aren’t supportive, negative reviews or from online trolls who get pleasure from bullying others?

A: Great question – if there is an answer, please let me know? Negative reviews from readers make me sad. No way around that. So, I try to stay away from Goodreads. This is easier said than done. 

Q: If you were to write in a different genre which genre would it be and why?

A: I think about this a lot! I write upmarket women’s fiction now, but if I could hop into a different genre it would be historic romance—corsets and cravats, that kind of wonderful thing. 

Q: Are you writing another novel now? If so can you reveal any details?

A: I am working on book number 3 now—it will be set in the Hamptons!

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to any of your novels?

A: Yes, Ladies of the House, my debut novel, was optioned this year. Getting a short glimpse into how Hollywood works has been enlightening. Everyone has an assistant! Literally everyone! Even the assistants.