bio
Emery Lord is the author of six contemporary YA books including THE START OF ME & YOU, THE MAP FROM HERE TO THERE, and the Schneider-Family-Award-winning WHEN WE COLLIDED (2016). Her most recent, ALL THAT'S LEFT TO SAY, was an instant USA Today bestseller and an IndieNext pick. Her books have been published in many languages around the world and featured on YALSA and state book lists.
about
I'm the author of six novels about teenage girls:
Open Road Summer, The Start of Me & You, When We Collided, The Names They Gave Us, The Map from Here to There, and All That's Left to Say.
I was born in Baltimore and lived in Virginia Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago, and Columbus all before middle school. I'm a longtime Cincinnatian, and you can usually find me in the bookstores, libraries, and parks.
I live with my family in an old house that has a bookshelf in almost every room.
When did you starting writing?
I've always written in some form or another, but I started writing fiction seriously after college. I meant to write a book narrated by an adult named Paige, who was returning to her hometown after a long time away. But the backstory- her teen years and why she had a complicated relationship with this place- took over. It became THE START OF ME & YOU, ultimately my second published book.
How did you get published?
I wrote a draft of a book, revised it (with a critique partner), queried agents, got some rejections, was offered representation, went on submission with my manuscript, got some rejections, went on submission with another manuscript, received offers! (Every comma represents time passing, working late into the night, and self-doubt.)
Is there going to be a sequel to The Start of Me & You?
There is! It's called The Map from Here to There, and it's out now! It's about senior year and anxiety and feeling like an unstoppable mess, just mistakes without brakes. It is, like most things I write, about second and third and fourth chances and when to give them and how to take them with grace.
Will there be sequels to any of the other books?
I don't have any plans at this time, but I truly appreciate when there is interest! My goal is always to leave my main characters with a win but also a lot of potential for growth and for joy. I love to hear what readers imagine for the characters because that's real to me- THE END is where you take over. Thanks for visiting Oakhurst High, Verona Cove, Camp Daybreak, and Ingleside Country Day School!