Latest news with #youngadult
ABC News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
How Powerless author Lauren Roberts became a bestseller at just 22 years old
The idea for Lauren Roberts' debut novel came to her when she was just 18 years old. So she did what any teenager with access to a phone would do next: start a live stream to share her idea with BookTok. "And [my followers] were like, 'We want to read it!' Telling me to add this trope and that trope," the US writer tells ABC Arts. She spent the next three months writing Powerless, which went on to become a bestselling YA romantic fantasy (romantasy) novel, in between studying at college and working a part-time job. "I'd be up until 4am every day writing, and then I'd wake up and go to school and then [to my job] and do all of that all over again." After finishing the first draft, Roberts hired a freelance editor to help shape her manuscript, asked her mum if she could leave college and moved back home, where she Googled: "How to self-publish a book." Somehow, in 2023, she pulled it together and published her debut just after her 19th birthday. The world was very interested, as it turns out, in Roberts' protagonist Paedyn Gray, a pickpocket from the slums of Ilya considered a powerless Ordinary in a society that only serves Elites with special abilities. Until, that is, she unwittingly saves the life of Prince Malakai and is thrust into the kingdom's annual purging competition, a series of deadly trials meant to showcase the most powerful Elites and reinforce the tyrant King Edric's rule. By late 2023, Roberts had signed a deal with a traditional publisher who wanted to pick up the first instalment in her dystopian tale of romance and political intrigue. Since then, she's written four more books (the third novel in the Powerless trilogy, Fearless, came out in April) and become a New York Times bestselling author. And a TV adaptation is underway. All this by the age of 22. "I can't believe this has happened. I didn't imagine this would ever be a thing," Roberts says of her success. She says life has simultaneously changed "so much" and "not at all". She's still living in the same apartment with her cats. But she's quit her part-time job and is now writing romantasy full time. "I get up and I just write most of the day. But, aside from incredible [book] tours — when I get to meet so many people that love these books and it's like, 'Whoa, this is crazy' — it doesn't feel big. It's just me in my apartment." Roberts is still learning to navigate the pressure — and scrutiny — that have accompanied her success. Not only is she a young author new to the publishing world, who started out as a BookTok influencer, she's also faced criticism over what some readers believe are similarities between her debut and popular YA fantasy series such as Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen. Roberts has been open about this for years. "Absolutely, there are similarities to The Hunger Games … and to so many other amazing books out there," she says now. "And that's how it is because there are billions of works." Still, the Goodreads pages for her books are filled with reviews by readers arguing the Powerless series is, at best, derivative and too heavily reliant on romance and dystopian fiction tropes and, at worst, a rip-off of various fantasy novels. Roberts says this "can be a little frustrating". "But I do remind myself that, a lot of the time, they're 14-year-olds and we know how the internet is. And at the end of the day, there's inspiration from every angle, and tropes are something that are in every book. "On the internet, I don't feel the need to address it because it's simply not true." This strategy is working — for now, at least. While Roberts can't say much about the Powerless TV adaptation, she confirms, "There are things happening behind the scenes [and] we're very excited." There's also an upcoming international book tour, including Australia. "We're travelling from one side of Australia to the other, with tons of stops, and I'm really excited to answer the readers' burning questions," she says. There are more books in the works, too, including another Powerless novella titled Fearful, out in September. After that, Roberts plans to slow down the release schedule. Not only did she write Powerless in three months, she also finished the first drafts for follow-up books Reckless and Fearless in the same amount of time. Roberts wrote Powerful, the first Powerless novella, in just 28 days. "It is daunting. It's not like, 'I'll just write for two hours today and whatever.' It's definitely three months of head-down writing," Roberts says of her process up until now. "This past year, it has been go, go, go. So I'm reaching a point where I do want to space out the books a little more. Nothing crazy, but even just writing one book a year." Rebecca Yarros, another high-profile romantasy author, signalled plans to do the same in November 2023. At the same time, the publishing industry is facing increasing comparisons to fast fashion, with some readers attributing the "Sheinification of books" to what they perceive as the decreasing quality of fantasy novels. The Powerless series is frequently brought up as part of these conversations online. Roberts doesn't let the criticism get in her way, instead choosing to "focus on the positives". She says her number one goal in finishing the Powerless series is "staying true to what 18-year-old me started". Lauren Roberts will be discussing Powerless at events in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth from June 21-29.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Cheeky seagull follows terrified teen across a carpark and all the way to a shop door
Leah Marie Melby, 19, was heading out during her lunch break when she noticed the bird flyingbehind her. Click above to watch the full video.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
The shocking web of lies spun by a broke deadbeat to trick women - including my darling daughter - into joining his 'harem'... then he did the unthinkable: SHANNON DABERKOW
My 18-year-old daughter Shelby had the world at her feet. She had just finished school, got her own place, and had enrolled in a veterinary nursing course.
Geek Girl Authority
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on June 10
There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I'll help you narrow down the week's new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week, I have 9 great new books to share with you, including Becky Albertalli's new release and a Godfather -inspired thriller. Read on! Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli Amelia Applebaum is not in love with moderately famous, chaotically bisexual YouTuber Walter Holland. She just invited him to prom—totally ironically. (Unless he says yes.) When a surprise meet-and-greet offers a chance to finally meet Walter, Amelia convinces her best friends to hit the road for one last adventure before graduation. Even Natalie, her newly single, guitar-strumming, cynicism-fueled best friend, is in. But somewhere between the playlists, gas station snacks, and promposals, Amelia starts to wonder: what if the butterflies she's chasing aren't for Walter at all? Becky Albertalli, the queen of Pride YA, is back with a new story of a fantastic, fully-realized friend group. Amelia, If Only is perfect for anyone who's ever had a slightly parasocial relationship with a celebrity. RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on June 3 A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena Framed for murder and imprisoned, former court dancer Vasalie Moran is offered freedom—if she spies for the king who betrayed her. But as his orders turn brutal and secrets unravel, Vasalie allies with his rival brother to stop a greater threat. Caught in a deadly game, she must choose who to trust and how far she's willing to go to survive. Brittney Arena's debut is filled with secrets, betrayal and hope. A Dance of Lies asks readers the question 'how far will you go for freedom?' Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles In 1840s England, orphaned and ostracized Orabella Mumthrope is shocked when a wealthy stranger proposes marriage—and even more surprised when she accepts. Whisked away to his crumbling estate, she finds herself trapped in a decaying manor full of locked doors, eerie dreams, and terrifying secrets. As reality blurs and her sense of self begins to unravel, Orabella must uncover the truth before she disappears entirely. Midnight Rooms is perfect for fans of Catherine House , Mexican Gothic and Crimson Peak . Donyae Coles' first novel is deeply infused with Gothic sensibilities and a creeping sense of horror. RELATED: Book Review: In the Garden of Monsters King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby When Roman Carruthers returns to his small Virginia hometown after his father's suspicious car crash, he finds his family in chaos. His brother is deep in debt to criminals, his sister is overwhelmed and their crematorium business barely is staying afloat. As danger closes in, Roman uses his financial skills to strike a desperate deal with the gangsters, all while Neveah investigates their mother's long-ago disappearance. But the criminals don't realize just how far Roman will go to protect his family—because everything burns. King of Ashes is a Godfather -inspired Black Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama. Plus, S.A. Cosby's new book release has already been picked up for a Netflix adaptation, so you know you want to read it first. We Can Never Leave by H.E. Edgmon Every day, inhuman creatures awaken across the globe with no memories—and the Caravan exists to give them sanctuary. But when five teens wake to find their entire traveling community vanished, they must work together to uncover what happened, even as each harbors dangerous secrets of their own. As truths unravel, it becomes clear: this mystery isn't just about the Caravan's disappearance, but the haunting pasts each of them is trying to outrun. Equal parts fantasy, mystery and found-family drama, We Can Never Leave is an atmospheric queer YA fantasy. H.E. Edgmon's new book release details a search for belonging in a world that fears what it doesn't understand. RELATED: 6 More Trans and Nonbinary Writers to Check Out Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive After a terminal diagnosis and with most of Florida underwater, Hannah Cardin, a resident of a queer women's retirement resort, throws one final end-of-life party. With just hours left, Hannah hopes to reconnect with Sophie, the love she lost forty years ago. But as old secrets surface, she must decide whether she's truly ready to say goodbye. Spanning one unforgettable day and a lifetime of memories, Palm Meridian is a vibrant celebration of love, aging and the wild joy of living. Grace Flahive's debut is a big-hearted story perfect for fans of Less and The Wedding People . Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race In the kingdom of Elben, six queens are said to be all that stand between the realm and ruin. But beneath the surface of duty lies a web of ambition, magic and betrayal. As clever Boleyn schemes to become King Henry's favorite, and assassin-spy Seymour uncovers dangerous secrets, the two form an uneasy alliance that threatens to unravel the throne itself. With dragons, deadly court intrigue and sapphic longing, Holly Race's epic fantasy reveals that the true danger may lie in unexpected places. Six Wild Crowns is a twist on the real life story – and tragedy – of Henry VIII's six wives. RELATED: Sapphics With Swords: 6 Books Featuring Queer Lady Warriors Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski Emily seems to have the perfect life—an elegant home, a loving husband, two children. Beneath the surface, however, life cracks: a crumbling marriage, strained family ties and the lingering ache of a lost love. When she reunites with Gen, her bold, once-impoverished high school best friend turned Olympic star, their unresolved past ignites into something undeniable. Ordinary Love is a sweeping, emotional queer romance about the risks of vulnerability and the enduring power of first love. While she's known for YA fantasy, Marie Rutkoski's adult romance debut is a breathtaking story of second chances. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab María, Charlotte and Alice are three women separated by centuries but united by longing, defiance and a burning desire for freedom. In 1532 Spain, María seizes a dangerous chance to escape her fate; in 1827 London, Charlotte's encounter with a mysterious widow unlocks passion and peril; and in 2019 Boston, Alice's search for identity and vengeance uncovers buried truths. Their lives echo one another in a fierce exploration of power, survival and the cost of choosing yourself. Spanning centuries and continents, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a dark, addictive fever dream. I'll read anything V.E. Schwab writes, and this book is no exception. You can check out these new book releases at or your local bookstore. What June 10 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR. 10 Books With Queer Protagonists to Read All Year Round
Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Two girls on the train — a twisted life-swap thriller
Two girls meet on a train. One of them is a spoilt brat who is being sent to an exclusive Swiss rehab centre to face up to the consequences of her wild behaviour. The other is an impoverished backpacker with her own secrets. Tabbi and Ruby hatch a cunning plan to swap identities. When the train reaches the station, each young woman steps on to the platform and into the other's life. It's only for six weeks until Tabbi's rehab stint is over … Isn't it? With so much 'young adult' fiction catering for the older end of the market, here is a deliciously twisted thriller aimed squarely at teenage girls. It's preposterous in the same way that the Blake Lively/Anna Kendrick film A Simple
