Please give a warm welcome to author Lauren Ellis

Tell us a bit about yourself…

So I am a 29 year old book-lover. I currently live on the US east coast with my husband and two Siberian cats. I’m a home-body and introvert, I’d rather drink a margarita on my couch with a book in my pajamas than go out. I buy all my favorite books in paperback, even though I mostly read on kindle, just because I want to hold the pretty books and look at them on my shelves. I’m awkward AF and speak mostly in GIF or meme form.

Have you always wanted to become an author?

So, writing isn’t my day job—but I always loved reading and creative writing. I didn’t think I’d ever actually write a book, but around thanksgiving this past year I kind of just said, why the heck not? I’ve been obsessed with reading #whychoose/reverse harem books for the past few years, so I’m writing what I love to read.

What was your inspiration for your current book/series?

I’m working on about three different WIPs right now, with my main focus being Masks & Mayhem: The Hannover Heathens Book 1. This is a contemporary #whychoose, enemies to lovers, with some dark themes. The first few chapters are pretty intense—almost thriller-vibes. The first scene idea actually stems from when I worked at a mall in high school. I was a cashier at one of those large department stores, and how creepy it was to be closing the store, in a basically deserted mall, on a weeknight. It always seemed like a recipe for a horror movie. Other than Masks & Mayhem, I’m also working on an emotional, angsty, contemporary RH stand-alone called “A Breath Between Notes.” As well as a sweet, contemporary, sports RH stand-alone called “Offside Princess.”

Do you have any quirks while working?

I’ve recently discovered I work so much better with a standing desk. It allows me to dance around to the book playlists to get in the mood for a certain scene, or even to pace around while I’m thinking. I have Spotify playlists in my link tree so anyone can see the vibes of the different things I’m working on.

What are your hopes for the future?

To just keep writing what I love. I’m excited to keep going in the Hannover Heathens series—there’ll be a bunch of crossover characters and we’ll see multiple harems get together, with interconnected plot lines.

Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?

Not really, since I am a new author! Masks & Mayhem: The Hannover Heathens Book 1 will be my debut novel. But I can say this, don’t be afraid to reach out and make friends in this community. We’re all—for the most part—very nice people, happy to answer questions, and enjoy building each other up.

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

To my followers—Masks & Mayhem is pretty intense from chapter 1. Really—there is no breathing room or fluffy intro, you’re kinda just thrown on in there into the deep end. There will be a cliffhanger, there will be m/m in the series, and you may want to scream and curse before it’s all said and done. Just hang in there, ‘cause I think you’re going to end up loving these characters as much as I do. 🖤