Authors Interviewing Characters: Lauren Thoman
About You Shouldn’t Be Here:
Two strangers search for the truth behind bizarre occurrences no one else dares to discuss—only to discover that they’re connected by secrets that could destroy them both. A thrilling and twisty novel by the acclaimed author of the Mindy’s Book Studio pick I’ll Stop the World.
When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?
Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park—and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.
As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.
Lauren Thoman interviews Angie Stewart and Madelyn Zhao:
LT: Thanks for sitting down with me today!
MZ: Oh of course, I’m happy to!
AS: Honestly this is kinda weird but I didn’t have anything else to do, so. [shrugs]
LT: That’s interesting that you say that, Angie. How is it weird?
AS: I mean… [gestures at Madelyn] we don’t know each other. So it’s a little strange to be meeting for the first time like this.
LT: You mean as part of an interview?
AS: Yeah, I guess, but also just as part of, like, a publicity thing at all? I am not used to people being interested in me, or in anything having to do with this town.
MZ: I think East Henderson is charming!
AS: You’ve lived here what, like five minutes? Get back to me in sixteen years, and let me know if you still think that.
LT: It sounds like you aren’t a fan of your hometown.
AS: [sighs] I mean it’s fine, I guess, if you’re into things that are extremely boring.
MZ: Not everything is boring. I’m pretty interested in some of the stuff going on here.
LT: Yes, let’s talk about that. You moved here because of your cousin, right?
MZ: Well, technically I moved here because I got a job over at East Henderson Middle. It’s my first teaching job, since graduating in May.
AS: [snorts] Good luck with that.
MZ: But you’re correct; I applied for the job because I was hoping to find out something about what happened to my cousin, Piper. She disappeared a couple years ago and no one seems to have any idea why.
LT: You suspect some sort of foul play?
MZ: I’m not sure what I suspect. But something isn’t right here. I hope that living in East Henderson will lead me to some answers.
AS: You want to borrow some surveillance equipment? I’ve got a bunch.
MZ: You… what?
AS: It’s a long story. I’m trying to catch a ghost.
MZ: Like in Ghostbusters?
AS: No, I don’t want to trap it. Just prove that it exists. No one believes me.
MZ: I’m sorry. That sucks. But I’d love to hear about it, if you want.
AS: I mean, I don’t think that’s what this interview is supposed to be about…
LT: Ghost stories sound a lot more interesting than any of the questions I was going to ask. Go ahead.
AS: Cool, well mostly it’s just a voice that I hear, although sometimes there are other sounds too, like footsteps or thumping or scratching.
MZ: Like in the walls?
AS: No, it’s like someone is in the room with me moving around and I can hear them, but can’t see them.
LT: What does the voice say when you hear it?
AS: A lot of times it’s singing. My friend Bas thinks it’s all in my head, but I don’t always know these songs. A lot of them are from musicals.
MZ: I love musicals!
LT: Me too! Does it seem to prefer any shows in particular?
AS: [shrugs] I’m not sure. I’m not really much of a musicals person. But I did look up a couple of them when I could make out enough of the lyrics to google them, and they’re definitely real songs. I’m not just making them up.
MZ: [absently] Oooh, maybe I should do a Broadway medley with my eighth graders. That might be fun.
AS: Huh?
MZ: Oh, I teach choir. I may have forgotten to mention that.
AS: Wow, out of all the jobs in the world, you really chose teaching middle school choir? Do you hate your ears?
MZ: I enjoy it, actually. It’s a really fun age.
AS: Uh, hard disagree there. I would not go back to middle school for a million bucks. High school isn’t great either, but it’s better than that prepubescent hellscape.
LT: So getting back to the ghost, does it scare you to possibly be living in a haunted house?
AS: Are you kidding? It’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to me in ages. I think it’s awesome. I just wish someone else could hear it, too.
MZ: You’re tougher than me. I’d be totally freaked out.
AS: I can’t explain it, but I have a feeling that my ghost is… nice? It just doesn’t give off bad vibes.
MZ: I hope so, for your sake. If something I couldn’t see started thumping around my room, I’d be tempted to move.
AS: I would love to move out of this town. But since I don’t really have a say in that, at least this gives me something to do.
LT: Well, I hope you’re both able to find the answers you’re looking for. Just be careful.
MZ: Thanks. I’m trying to keep a low profile while I look for Piper. Don’t want to draw unwanted attention.
AS: Yeah, sure, whatever. Hey, do either of you know anything about seances?
LT: Oh look, we’re out of time. Thanks for chatting with me, and good luck with your investigations!
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Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, the timeslip mystery I’ll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy’s Book Studio. Kaling said she was “dazzled” by the genre-bending novel, which she called “unputdownable.” Lauren’s second novel, YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE, will be published by Thomas & Mercer in July 2024.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Lauren now lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a chaotic household that includes a fluctuating number of rescue and foster dogs, and a somewhat alarming quantity of fish.
Lauren also works as a freelance pop culture writer with bylines in numerous online outlets including Parade, Vulture, and The Wrap. When she’s not writing, she’s probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried
underneath a pile of dogs.
Website: www.laurenthomanwrites.com
Tiktok: @laurenthomanwrites
X: @LaurenThoman
Facebook: @LaurenThomanWriter
Instagram: @laurenthomanwrites
Category: Interviews, On Writing
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