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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family
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WEBSITE: https://www.lorienlawrence.com/
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COUNTRY: United States
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PERSONAL
Married.
EDUCATION:Wheaton College (creative writing), Bath Spa University (creative writing).
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Author groups: Spooky Middle Grade, For the Love of Middle Grade, Five Facts About Me.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2020, review of The Stitchers; June 15, 2021, review of The Collectors; January 15, 2025, review of The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family.
School Library Journal, July 2020, Kaitlin Frick, review of The Stitchers, p. 59.
ONLINE
Booklist, https://www.booklistonline.com/ (March 2025), Beronica Garcia, review of The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family.
Lorien Lawrence website, https://www.lorienlawrence.com/ (August 10, 2025).
Publishers Weekly, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (August 2020), review of The Stitchers.
Lorien Lawrence is a writer and middle school English teacher from Connecticut. She has creative writing degrees from Wheaton College and Bath Spa University. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found exploring New England with her family.
Lorien is a member of the following author groups:
Spooky Middle Grade
For the Love of Middle Grade
Five Facts About Me
I pitched my first novel when I was eight years old. To James Howe! He wrote me back the sweetest letter. I wish I still had it!
I lived in England for a few years after college. (Talk about creepy ruins and abandoned buildings galore!)
My first name comes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it's pronounced LORI-EN.
I have a collection of FRANKENSTEIN novels, all with different covers.
I have unhealthy obsessions with iced tea, vampires, all things Disney, and sharks.
Ask the Author: Lorien Lawrence
April 20, 2020 By Melissa Roske Leave a Comment
The Proust Questionnaire, popularized by the French essayist and novelist Marcel Proust, is said to reveal a person’s true nature through a series of probing, soul-searching questions. In the hot seat today: Lorien Lawrence, author of the MG series, THE STITCHERS, Book 1 in the FRIGHT WATCH series (Abrams Kids/Amulet Books, August 18, 2020).
What is your idea of perfect happiness? My family all sprawled out on the couch and reading books on a rainy autumn day.
What is your greatest fear? Non-book related fear: Needles! Ugh – I can’t even talk about it because I’m already feeling sick just typing that! Book-related fear: nobody EVER buys any of my books.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I can be insecure and extremely anxious.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Can I say two? Arrogance and ignorance.
Which living person do you most admire? Cheesy but true: my mom.
What is your greatest extravagance? Creating a home office. I still can’t believe I have my own space to write!
What is your current state of mind? There are so many stories I want to write, but it’s hard to carve out the time for all of them.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? HA! Patience. Something I struggle with.
On what occasion do you lie? Very rarely. I’m awful at it.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Seriously?!”
Besides writing, which talent would you most like to have? I adore Bake Off and would probably like the talent to bake some type of “showstopper.” But you need patience for that type of thing (see earlier answer about virtue!).
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Selling two books!
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? A friendly ghost who lives in a library.
What is your most treasured possession? A necklace that my dad gave me before he passed away.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Not wanting to – or feeling unable – to get out of bed.
What do you most value in your friends? Laughter and loyalty
Who are your favorite writers? Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, Shea Ernshaw… So many more…
Who is your hero of fiction? Hermione. I know a lot of people probably say her, but I think she is a character who deserves the hype. She’s loyal and fierce and sends such positive messages to girls about embracing and celebrating their intelligence.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? I don’t know – maybe someone like Louisa May Alcott? I like that she was a writer and a feminist.
What is your motto? I’m always repeating “OK, OK, OK…” when I’m feeling stressed. Does that count??
LORIEN LAWRENCE graduated with creative writing degrees from Wheaton College and Bath Spa University in England. After college, she lived abroad in the UK for a few years, before returning stateside and becoming a middle school English teacher. On weekends you can often find her exploring New England haunts with her family, gathering more inspiration for her novels. Learn more about Lorien on her website and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Spooky, Scary Stitchers
For those of you who love spooky, scary middle grade, I have a treat for you. The Stitchers (ABRAMS/Amulet 2020), by debut author Lorien Lawrence, releases this week, and alongside that spooky scary goodness, it’s SO. MUCH. FUN.
The Stitchers Cover
About The Stitchers:
Thirteen-year-old Quinn Parker knows there’s something off about her neighbors. She calls them “the Oldies” because they’ve lived on Goodie Lane for as long as anyone can remember, but they never seem to age. Are they vampires? Or aliens? Or getting secret experimental surgeries? Or is Quinn’s imagination just running wild again?
If her dad were still around, he’d believe her. When he was alive, they’d come up with all sorts of theories about the Oldies. Now, Quinn’s determined to keep the investigation going with the help of Mike, her neighbor and maybe-crush. They’ll have to search for clues and follow the mystery wherever it leads–even if it’s to the series pond at the end of the street that’s said to have its own sinister secrets. But the Oldies are on to them. And the closer Quinn and Mike get to uncovering the answers, the more they realize just how terrifying the truth may be.
Interview with Debut Author Lorien Lawrence
Welcome, Lorien Lawrence, to the Mixed-Up Files! As I often do, I shared your book with my son, who’s a middle grade and young adult reader. He loved the Stitchers–which meant he and I got to collaborate on these interview questions. NOTE: This interview has been edited slightly in order to group topics and transitions.
HMC: I am always curious about origin stories – where did you get the idea for the Stitchers?
LL I think I say this in another!er interview, but there’s nothing scarier than losing someone you love. I wrote this story after my dad suddenly died. I had just moved back to my hometown with my husband, and we would go for these really long walks and try to make sense of what happened. Eventually, my childhood streets brought back happy memories and feelings of nostalgia instead of sadness. And we started to play a “what if” sort of game, where we took turns wondering “what if that house was haunted?” or “what if that pond was magical?” Eventually, one of these “what ifs” turned into THE STITCHERS. So I guess writing Quinn’s story helped me come to terms with my own grief.
Writing About Loss for MG
HMC: (As you just mentioned,) your main character, Quinn, is coping with the loss of her father … and picking up where he left off, investigating the same mystery. Loss and fear are pretty scary subjects no matter how old you are … how did you balance respecting your middle-grade readers’ maturity with knowing when the subject matter needed to be age-appropriate?
Finding this balance was probably the most difficult part of the writing experience for me. I knew I needed to show Quinn coming through the other side, so to speak. She doesn’t miss her dad any less, but she learns how to live a new kind of normal. Her dreams continue, her friendships continue, even though she herself has changed. But the change isn’t all bad: she’s stronger. She’s braver. She’s more determined and more vulnerable. And she realizes that she’s still surrounded by people who love her.
Questions from HMC’s Son
HMC’s Son: What was your favorite part of this book to write?
LL: Great question! My favorite part to write was the scene in the basement of the funeral home. I won’t give it away, but it was delightfully gruesome and fun to imagine!
HMC’s Son: What did you like most about Quinn?
LL: Another great question! I like that Quinn is flawed. She lies. She hides the truth. She hides her true feelings. But these are things that normal 12 year olds do. And by the end of the book, she makes things right.
HMC’s Son: This book is the beginning of a series. Can you give us any hints about what is coming up next for Quinn and Mike?
LL: The next book in the series is called THE COLLECTORS, and it comes out next fall. It follows Quinn once again as she and Mike launch into a new supernatural investigation – but I don’t want to give too much away! 😊 I can say that it picks up directly where THE STITCHERS leaves off.
Stitchers Fan Art
Stitchers Fan Art, by Elle Jauffret
Eternal Youth, Monsters, and Witches
HMC: Another interesting theme in your book is about the eternal quest for youth … and how it can make people do strange things. (!!) What takeaways do you think this element in your plot has for the middle-grade reader?
I think I was inspired by the day-old conundrum of kids wanting to be older, and adults wanting to be younger. In reality, we need to just learn to appreciate where we are in the moment.
HMC: In this book, I found lots of literary and theater connections, from Frankenstein to the Crucible. Did any of those influence your writing?
LL: Oh my gosh, I’m thrilled that you noticed! YES! I’ve always been taken with Frankenstein and The Crucible – really the whole idea that society creates the monsters, not the other way around.
Open Mic Question
HMC: What do you want us to know about The Stitchers that we haven’t asked?
LL: A quick fun fact: I have tiny clues hidden in THE STITCHERS and THE COLLETORS that hint towards future books in the series!
THE PANDEMIC QUESTIONS
HMC: I’ve begun a new line of pandemic questions in all my interviews because I’m curious about how we as kidlit authors are going to handle the pandemic in our writing going forward. You’re a middle school teacher in New England – will you be going back into the classroom to teach this fall, or will you be teaching virtually?
LL: As of right now, I still don’t know where or how I will be teaching. I am assuming that I’ll be teaching virtually as I did in the spring. I’m from Connecticut, and our state got hit with the virus early, so my school closed in early March and remained closed for the year. Whatever I end up doing, I’ll try to make the best of it!
HMC: How has the coronavirus pandemic affected your writing life?
LL: I grew up with (and still struggle) with anxiety, and writing has always been a coping mechanism for me. So I’ve actually been writing a lot! I wrote two new manuscripts during quarantine. I don’t know if these books will ever see the light of day, but it helps me to throw myself in a made-up world when times are scary.
HMC: Will Quinn and Mike have pandemic related conversations in your new book?
LL: This is a great question! I honestly don’t know the answer! They won’t be talking about it in the first two books in the series, but if I’m able to publish more adventures of Quinn and Mike, I’ll have to have a serious think about what to do with that. Maybe I’ll ask my students if they would be interested in reading about something so scary and recent. I’m sure they’ll have strong opinions either way!
((More about pandemic writing in this archived post on Writing Prompts for a Pandemic))
HMC: Thanks so much, Lorien. Congratulations on your debut and best of luck to you!
LAWRENCE, Lorien. The Stitchers. 272p. (Fright Watch: Bk. 1). Abrams/Amulet. Aug. 2020. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781419746925.
Gr 5 Up--Something strange is happening on Goodie Lane, and 13-year-old Quinn Parker is on the case. She and her police officer father had myriad theories about "the Oldies" on the cul-de-sac--neighbors who only seem to get younger and spryer with time--but now that he's dead, Quinn's taken to secretly investigating with the help of her neighbor, Mike Warren. As summer vacation approaches, things quickly take a turn for the dark and sinister. Will Quinn and Mike be able to solve the mystery of Goodie Lane before the Oldies can stop them? This debut thriller is certain to leave readers eager for a good scare wanting more, which is perfect considering it's the first in a new series. While Quinn's theories range from vampires to mad scientists (not as far off as one might think), her seeming flights of fancy are tempered by Mike's scientific mind, giving the story a more realistic feel. And while a budding romance between the two is hinted at, this element is secondary and sweetly innocent. Mike is Black; all other characters present as white. VERDICT A truly creepy read, perfect for fans of "Goosebumps" and Stranger Things. Recommended purchase.--Kaitlin Frick, Darien Lib., CT
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Frick, Kaitlin. "LAWRENCE, Lorien. The Stitchers." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 7, July 2020, p. 59. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629053917/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=970bb1b1. Accessed 17 June 2025.
Lawrence, Lorien THE STITCHERS Amulet/Abrams (Children's None) $16.99 8, 18 ISBN: 978-1-4197-4692-5
Goodie Lane is a cul-de-sac of deadly secrets.
Seventh graders Parker and Mike investigate why their neighbors, the Oldies of Goodie Lane, never appear to age. Things turn otherworldly when Parker notices that Mr. Brown, who formerly tottered down the street, is suddenly outpacing the duo on their morning runs and has a distinctive scar on his calf—one in the exact spot and shape as her deceased runner father. As the duo work to solve the mystery, a glowing pond and a drowning victim from years past may provide deadly answers. While cover appeal will draw in young readers and remind Millennial caregivers of the creepy delights of Fear Street, the story’s plot pales in comparison. Readers are denied the false sense of normalcy and many subsequent peaks and valleys of suspicion because the story starts after Parker and Mike have begun their investigation. Tantalizing subplots, from Ms. Bea’s mysterious facial lotions and Grandma Jane’s witchy herbal creations, are never explored or fleshed out, which may frustrate more than titillate. Savvy readers will always be a few steps ahead of the protagonists, whose motivations are sometimes confusing and investigatory skills are lacking. A sequel is suggested in the final pages, hopefully one with more answers. Parker is white, and Mike is black.
Amusing but amateurish. (Horror. 11-13)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Lawrence, Lorien: THE STITCHERS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A627920259/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=65d2272e. Accessed 17 June 2025.
Lawrence, Lorien THE COLLECTORS Amulet/Abrams (Children's None) $16.99 8, 31 ISBN: 978-1-4197-5604-7
Return to Goodie Lane for ghostly scares.
After defeating a group of supernatural senior citizens, eighth graders Parker and Mike are thrust back into their supernatural investigations when five young women move into the neighborhood. The mystery kicks off when the Ladies in White—so named for their monochromatic fashion sense—have an open house for their interior design business and Parker sees one woman’s hand momentarily turn translucent and an object pass through it. When Parker’s friend Lex, normally a fan of brilliantly colored garb, becomes enchanted by the Ladies’ glamour and starts volunteering with their business and dressing like them, Parker fears it’s only a matter of time before she becomes possessed. The plot and spook factor are as translucent as a ghost’s hand, which may leave readers unimpressed by the antagonists and confused by their motivations. A nonsensical final confrontation is brief and will leave horror fans who are expecting something more underwhelmed. A subplot exploring Parker’s challenges as track team co-captain interjects some humanity, but beyond that the characters—mortal and otherwise—are not terribly compelling. The first story, The Stitchers (2020), establishes that Mike is Black and Parker is White; here, names signify that Lex is Latinx.
A horrifyingly boo-ring read. (Horror. 9-11)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Lawrence, Lorien: THE COLLECTORS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A667041919/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1d45ead2. Accessed 17 June 2025.
Lawrence, Lorien THE MANY HAUNTINGS OF THE MANNING FAMILY Amulet/Abrams (Children's None) $17.99 3, 18 ISBN: 9781419768835
Ghost-hunting twins Trent and Gabby follow in their grandparents' footsteps, taking on a dangerous mission to free the ghosts trapped in the neglected Majestic Theater.
The 13-year-olds inherited their grandparents' gift for communicating with ghosts. Their mom, who doesn't have paranormal abilities, seeks to capitalize on her legendary parents' reputations and her kids' talents; she eagerly records the siblings' ghost-hunting and posts them to YouTube. Unlike Trent, Gabby is tired of feeling used for content, but the anniversary of their grandparents' Last Haunt looms large, and Mom has a plan to mark it. She's determined to revisit the Majestic Theater, the site of Grandpa's "one big regret," and document the siblings' ghost-hunting for social media dividends. But what awaits the twins is something more sinister and vicious than any spirits they've encountered before. The suspense builds deliciously as the twins get to work in the theater, and the spooks it contains are equal parts thrilling and disgusting. The stakes feel high, and each sibling has the opportunity to stand out while also demonstrating trust in the other. Gabby, bold and outspoken, is the perfect foil for her brother, who's quiet and hesitant. Together, they're a likable, believably drawn pair. Lawrence has a clear vision for the world of ghosts, and she pulls readers in through evocative descriptions of place and atmosphere. Most characters present white.
Top-shelf suspense and page-turning thrills.(Paranormal. 10-13)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Lawrence, Lorien: THE MANY HAUNTINGS OF THE MANNING FAMILY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A823102458/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=33a9b030. Accessed 17 June 2025.
The Many Hauntings of the Manning Family.
By Lorien Lawrence.
Mar. 2025. 288p. Abrams/Amulet, $17.99 (9781419768835). Grades 5-8.
REVIEW. First published February 1, 2025 (Booklist).
Thirteen-year-old twins Trent and Gabby Manning are supernatural ghost hunters. Both brother and sister are coerced by their mother to do spirit releases, a talent inherited from their world-famous grandparents, and to start a related YouTube channel, despite Gabby’s growing irritation. The late nights and constant demands put a strain on both siblings, causing them to drift further apart. When their mom finds a new opportunity to boost their views on social media by visiting the Majestic Theatre—an old, haunted building that their grandparents last covered—a timid Trent and fed-up Gabby go into their ritual, only to come face-to-face with a powerful demon that is out of their depth. Time will tell if they can set aside their pride and find the strength to complete this new case. Lawrence creates a great starting point for those who may want to one day venture into The Conjuring universe but are still a bit young for the potential jump scares. Viewpoints from both protagonists (who present as white) shed light on their thoughts and frustrations over everyone’s preconceived notions about them. Most readers will resonate with both characters as they navigate feelings of being exploited for the benefit of others and the trials of viral online life. An excellent discussion to have on the topic of boundaries with friends and, especially, family.
— Beronica Garcia
The Stitchers (Fright Watch #1)
Lorien Lawrence. Amulet, $16.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-4197-4692-5
Following her policeman father’s untimely death, 13-year-old Quinn Parker vows to discover the secret behind the Oldies—a group of seemingly unaging elderly neighbors in whom her dad was interested. She’s convinced there’s a supernatural influence behind their youthful appearance; fellow seventh grader Mike Warren is certain it’s scientific. Their curiosity is particularly piqued when octogenarian Mr. Brown becomes a strong runner overnight—one who bears the exact same calf scar as Quinn’s late father. Determined to learn the truth, the intrepid pair delve into the long and eerie history of the neighborhood, entering into a fake relationship as “the perfect cover” for the time they spend together. But as they investigate, the Oldies take an increased interest in Quinn and Mike, adding extra danger to the case. With this creepy debut, Lawrence pits her heroes against a generational power imbalance and the unsettling, universally recognizable fear of aging. While readers may guess the Oldies’ true nature before the revelation, the antagonists are satisfyingly menacing, and Quinn’s struggles—grieving her father’s death, juggling friendships—ground this series opener, giving it a healthy dose of heart. Ages 10–14. [em]Agent: Kathleen Rushall, Andrea Brown Literary. (Aug.) [/em]