Tell us about you...

I’m a wife, mom to first grade twins, and the author of dark and twisty middle grade stories. My debut novel, Them Clackity, will be published by Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) summer 2022. The story, a middle grade horror, is about a girl who must travel through an abandoned abattoir in order to play a dangerous game and outsmart some pretty dark forces—and her own anxiety—in hopes of saving her beloved aunt. 
I live in the Inland Northwest where I spent the last 17 years working for my local community colleges. I only recently changed careers and am now working for another state agency in employment services. Over the years, my work has been driven by my passion for playing a role in lifting my community members out of poverty, or providing them the tools and skills they need to stay out of poverty in the first place. It is challenging—but incredibly rewarding—work.
For book rights, I’m represented by Ali Herring at Spencerhill Associates. For film and television rights, I’m represented by Mary Pender-Coplan at United Talent Agency.

What is your relationship to audiobooks?

I adore audiobooks. For me, it comes back to my love of reading but even more than that it’s about my love of being read to. Some of my favorite memories are of being read to as a child. There’s a power and intimacy unique to oral storytelling that can’t be replicated by reading words on a page or watching a screen. As a horror buff, there’s not much that’s more satisfying than being told a scary story by someone very adept at telling scary stories. A skilled narrator brings new life to even those stories and characters I’m long familiar with.

What made you decide to follow Audio Sorceress?

I honestly can’t remember if I first “met” Marnye on Twitter or LinkedIn. Either way, I do remember being drawn to her warmth and professionalism. She is incredibly supportive of those in her online communities, and I love reading the announcements she shares in which she celebrates successes of both Audio Sorceress and of her friends and professional contacts. Part of being a good member of a creative community is lifting one another up, and Marnye is amazing at that.

Who is your favorite literary character?

Oh, so many characters have become real people in my head over the years. As a lifelong reader, I have fallen in love with characters more times than I could possibly count. One that stands out for me is Coraline Jones from Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. Coraline is spunky and quirky and smart and brave (but not fearless)—basically a perfect middle grade character. I firmly believe I wouldn’t have written my main character from Them Clackity, Evie Von Rathe, without having met (and fallen in love with) Coraline Jones so many years ago.

What is your favorite quote?

I’m a believer that life is full of bright little moments that are easy to miss, but so very important to acknowledge and remember. I try to tuck them away somewhere safe—like pieces of sea glass in a silk-lined box—so I can take them out and hold them when times are tough. All that to say, my favorite quote comes from Kurt Vonnegut who was more eloquent and pithy than I can ever hope to be: “And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.’

How can we get in touch with you?

You can find me spending way too much time on Twitter @Lora013 and I’m also on Instagram, LoraSenfAuthor. I’m on LinkedIn as well and am happy to connect there—I am always looking to get to know more creatives! You can find out more about me and my stories at my website, LoraSenf.com. ​