Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three books, Last Goodbye and Longing to Be are published and my third one, Lying in Wait will be out in the Fall of 2018. I currently work at a financial firm in Massachusetts. I was born and raised in Upstate New York. I did my undergrad at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and received my Master’s Degree from Northeastern University in Boston. I love yoga, a nice glass of wine, and spending time with friends and my family. I’ve been gluten free for 8 years. My favorite music is Pearl Jam, anything Chris Cornell sings, female singers from the 90s and the Beastie Boys.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I always wanted to write about a group of friends in college and the twist and turns of young adults on their own for the first time. I enjoy writing about them adapting to mature situations. Creating a fictitious campus, writing stories of social issues while throwing in romantic twists and turns is a blast to do. I plan to take my characters through graduation. So I’ll have 5 books in total. I love telling their individual stories and making them grow. It’s a rite of passage for anyone that pursues a college degree.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to use an outline but I’ve found that after about the 4th or 5th chapter the book completely takes a turn. I like keeping the outlines and looking back at them regardless of the impact they’ve had on my current novel. They are full of ideas, and who knows, at some point, those ideas may make it into the next book.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read; The Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis and I knew what I wanted to do. It was as simple as that.
What are you working on now?
During the Onondaga State series there will be a lot of twist and turns, heartaches, epic love stories, devastating situations and life-changing encounters. Hopefully my readers will feel as though they have been transported to this university and join my characters throughout their four years at OSU.
Lying in Wait will be out in the Fall. This is the third book in my college romance series, The Onondaga State Series (after the fictitious campus OSU). I am planning to write five books in the series and take the characters through college. Lying in Wait centers around one of the main characters, Laura and the trouble she finds herself in after she takes a job at the college radio station. Her intertwined relationships will push her from one man to the other and she will soon discover what it’s like to be the center of attention. But her heartache may just be the reason for all the failed relationships in her life and this book will leave you wanting to know more about what happened to Laura Chase!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I keep my website up to date and I think social media is so crucial to making others aware of what is going on. I follow what my other Indie Authors do and hope they do the same when they see what I am doing. To see a friend successful is just as important. The friends I’ve met in the business make me want to continue to be a part of this culture.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Reach out to an author and ask for suggestions and recommendations on beta readers, editors, designers and photographers. Having good people you can trust in your corner can make or break your experience and drive you to continue.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Maybe it won’t work out. But maybe seeing if it does will be the best adventure ever.”
What are you reading now?
I love reading magazines. Short articles that will grab my attention for the moment. It’s all I have right now!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am finishing up Lying in Wait while working on my fourth, Lessons in Love. Lying in Wait is due fall 2018, and that will be here before I know it!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
In case I never get off the island, I’d bring both my books, Last Goodbye and Longing to Be. They would bring me some comfort. I’d also bring a medical book/survival guide. And my last choice would be Fifty Shades of Grey…. why not, right?
Author Websites and Profiles
Laurel Ostiguy Website
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