USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Smith writes emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres, including New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, and a Semi-Finalist award for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. She was a 2018 RITA ® Finalist in the Romance Writers of America Contest.
You can meet Lauren at RomanceLahoma 2025.
Check the schedule to see when Lauren will be speaking.
Ariel: Tell us about yourself and your writing journey.
Lauren Smith: "I am an Okie girl, born in Tulsa. I went to OK State for my college, got a double major in history and political science and then I went to law school at University of Detroit-Mercy and University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. I practiced law for several years and then transitioned into full time writing but still maintain my active law license in Oklahoma. I write romances under that name, Emma Castle and also Daphne Hunt for cozy mysteries with a light romance.
In the third grade I learned that you could make up stories as a job and from that moment on I knew what I wanted to be. An author. But I didn't read romance until 2008 when I was in law school and discovered thanks to a friend that romance was my destiny.
I guess the unique thing about me boring answer wise is that I have two law degrees from two different countries, US and Canada. The more interesting thing might be that I've written an entire book while living in a French castle."
I've published over 87-ish books now across 3 pen names.
How did you break into publishing?
Lauren: "So I've published over 87-ish books now across 3 pen names. I went the trad route first with an agent and a small publisher, then by entering contests, I got offers by Hachette for 9 books (3 trilogies). Then I sold a 3 book series to St. Martins entirely from one line of a novella I sent them about dragons. While being trad, I went indie early on, just one year into my career and therefore was Hybrid until 2022. … and went fully indie. My story is pretty long, but …I'm glad to be indie and have full control and way more money and success.
I credit contests with my bigger career successes as far as exposure and helping me land trad deals and also applying for promotional opportunities like BookBub."
What's your writing process like?
Lauren: "I like to write mid-morning and early afternoon. I have to be in a space where I can see people. I like the energy that comes with being around people. If I'm at home, I'll fold laundry or take a nap.
I write all of my books from first chapter to last in chronological order in a college ruled notebook with specific brands of very smooth writing 1.0 tip width pens. I know my approximate words per page so I can guestimate my word counts very closely. Then I dictate into my phone using a Rode brand lapel mic and the Dragon Anywhere dictation app. The lapel mic is a must. It improves the hearing of the app for accuracy. Then, I send the completed book to my law school writer best friend, and then after her edits, I send it to my content and copy edits. Then it goes to the final beta editor for typo proofing.
If I am doing any kind of historical research, I will read books just before writing or read them while I'm currently in the drafting/writing phase."
What advice do you have about working with editors and for growing authors?
Lauren: "You want an editor who actually edits. They need to dig in and teach you what to fix, and help you. But they need to be nice and positive about it. Too many people hire mean editors and feel destroyed. Mean editors are lazy. You don't want to work with someone who won't put in the energy to show they are excited about making your book better. Get a sample edit if you can. If you end up doing a full project and you cringe when you think about edits, like REALLY cringe, that editor might not be for you.
Now, that being said, some new writers don't like to learn how to get better, they are the lazy ones. I've heard some writers in groups recently complaining about editors that I've recommended, and it saddened me. I know those editors they are complaining about; they are passionate and wonderful. They believe in your book. So why can't you work hard to make it better? So if you're feeling resentful and crabby about edits, you do need to look deeper and ask if you're the one who needs to put in the work to get better or not. First books are NEVER perfect. So if someone is suggesting changes and you've heard they are a good editor, it's up to you to listen to them.
…Don't get pulled into drama. Stay quiet, stay deep, write what you love, and make sure what you write is written to market. Even the most niche of stories can sell well if they're written to sell.”
What's your take on the evolution of romance novels?
Lauren: "The subgenres and tropes have really broadened, and I LOVE that! I think we're far more accepting now than we have been before, but I have seen some genres go super politically correct (and I mean that in the most boring way)- so like historical romance used to be very zany and crazy in the 80s and 90s. Wild plots and fun adventures. Now it's all very dry and boring. The alpha jerks we loved back then aren't being written anymore since people think that means they must be mean to the heroine. So I push back against that and write wonderful jerks who adore their heroines, and it's been very popular with readers.
Women are finally finding ways to talk. We're sharing what we care about, what we love and we're finally stopping listening to the groups of people who always yucked on our yums. We now know we aren't alone as romance writers or readers. Even the weirdest kinks are welcomed and shared. It's an open place and TikTok and other social media has helped us find our tribe."
Even the most niche of stories can sell well if they're written to sell.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Lauren: "Don't get pulled into drama. Stay quiet, stay deep, write what you love, and make sure what you write is written to market. Even the most niche of stories can sell well if they're written to sell."
What are you reading, and who are your favorite authors?
Lauren: "A viking reverse time travel romance by Sandra Hill, The Last Viking.
Cherise Sinclair, Laurann Dohner, Lorraine Heath, Lisa Kleypas, and Deborah Harkness are some of my auto-buy lists. I love sexy enemies-to-lovers and any kidnapped heroine books! I'll read just about anything as long as it's steamy.
Excited about the upcoming RomanceLahoma conference?
Lauren: "I am super excited! This will be my first time coming, and I am going to be one of the speakers and a signer!"
Find Lauren
Online
Instagram:
@laurensmithbooks
@emmacastlebooks
Comments