PRAISE FOR INCONVENIENT DAUGHTER
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Sharkey’s stirring if uneven debut, a transracial adoptee of Korean descent endures a crisis of identity. At the novel’s start, 24-year-old Rowan Kelly is at the ER to report a sexual assault, and a question about her family medical history leads her to reflect on her complicated feelings about being adopted, as well as self-esteem issues and abusive relationships. Read full review here.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
This debut novel vividly details the awkwardness of high school and heartbreak of rejection…Rowan’s first-person narrative voice provides sharp, devastating emotional insight. Read full review here.
KEVIN CLOUTHER
AUTHOR OF WE WERE FLYING TO CHICAGORare is the book willing to confess how essential belonging is, to detail the myriad ways we both seek it and suffer from its absence. Readers will discover in Sharkey’s prose a truth few authors have the honesty to acknowledge or the courage to reveal.
BEVERLY DONOFRIO
author of Riding In Cars With BoysLauren J. Sharkey’s masterfully plotted portrait of Rowan, a smart and willful young woman in wild rebellion against the life she’s been handed, is so raw and honest, written with such passion and heart, you turn the pages rooting for her to love herself as much as the reader and her indomitable adopted mother do. Inconvenient Daughter delivers this and so much more.
RANDY SUSAN MEYERS
AUTHOR OF WAISTEDSteel, raw love, and rage forge the relationships between Rowan Kelly and her family. Inconvenient Daughter illuminates with cutting truth the layers of longing and grief which underlie a transracial adoption. Author Lauren J. Sharkey shines a light on how the truth of being loved and belonging can transcend the construct of biology. Sharkey provides heart-rending insight that never dips into false sentimentality, wrapped in a sharply written, intense, and page-turning novel. I simply loved this book.
SUE WILLIAM SILVERMAN
author of Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual AddictionLauren J. Sharkey’s emotionally searing novel chronicles its heroine’s quest to forge her true self. Deeply felt and intensely written, Inconvenient Daughter speaks to the need we all have to find our place in the world, our place of belonging and acceptance. This is a powerful and stunning literary debut.
BLOGGER REVIEWS
Check out the reviews of Inconvenient Daughter from these bloggers:
Book Feature on Hasty Book List
GOODREADS REVIEWS
According to their website, “Goodreads is the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Our mission is to help people find and share books they love. Goodreads launched in January 2007.” Read reviews here.
WORKSHOP REVIEWS
In addition to leading creative writing workshops, Lauren J. Sharkey is also pleased to provide marketing, web development, and consulting on creative writing projects. Below are reviews and testimonials from Lauren J.’s clients and students. If you are interested in speaking with Lauren J. regarding a project, please e-mail her directly at theljsharkey@gmail.com.
Victoria Albanese
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren was instrumental to my learning at this summer’s Omega writing workshop. She gives insightful critique that is honest but gentle and she is generous with encouragement. It would be a privilege to take another writing class and have Lauren as the instructor.
Ruth Bonapace
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren was introduced as the TA but she was actually, truly a co-teacher of the workshop. Her insights and advice were spot on, and very valuable both to me, a veteran of many workshops on the road to my MFA, and also to the newbies in our group, taking their first steps into the water, not knowing yet that they can swim.
Wendy Eastman
James Jones Writers Workshop Retreat Attendee, 2019When I first started writing I had no idea what I was doing, then I met Lauren J. Sharkey at the James Jones Writer’s Retreat, she listened to me and helped me find my voice. Her constructive critiques and patience were invaluable. She allowed me to discover new ways of seeing my story. Even after the retreat ended she continued to offer guidance. Lauren gave me the tools to become a confident writer. I consider her my mentor. Anyone who works with Lauren can feel her passion to help others writers succeed.
Valerie Frankfeldt
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren’s comments were so intelligent, incisive, and insightful, not to say also uplifting and supportive. She is a great teacher and a fountain of knowledge. Much appreciated from my time at Omega with her!
Janet Green Garrison
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren,
I can not thank you sufficiently for your valuable contributions to writers workshop at Omega this week. I am truly amazed by your wise and concise editing suggestions. Giving me your thoughts on the 2 different timelines has opened yet another way to view my life’s trajectory. I look forward to reading your book in the new future.
With sincere thanks,
Janet Green Garrison
Sabine Gerdts
Web Design and Marketing ClientLauren has helped us in our business venture, and to use the word help doesn’t seem like a big enough word. She is inquisitive. She is beyond helpful. She is there whenever we have a question about our marketing and our website. I am so grateful to have found this genius of a woman.
Elizabeth Heise
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren is a fantastic writing coach—I cannot recommend her highly enough. Her consultation was concise and insightful. She has a way of breaking down the writing process into bite size pieces so that you are not trying to cram in an entire enchilada for no good reason. Unlike many successful authors of her caliber, she is extremely generous with her feedback. Her contributions to our workshop at Omega were a tremendous bonus. I hope to have the chance to work with her again and can’t wait for Inconvenient Daughter.
Kathy Moore
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019I attended a workshop with Lauren at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. Lauren teaches the craft of writing but she also empowers her students to trust themselves as writers. Her calm presence, warmth and sense of humor made it easy to share work and her insightful feedback helped me grow as a writer.
Dhilina Nanediridevage
Resume ClientLauren worked with me on several essays I needed to write while applying to law school. Because of her guidance, my essay landed me a position in the fellowship program which is going to save me $90,000 worth of tuition over three years! I definitely recommend her services!
D.E. Sandeaux
James Jones Writers Workshop Retreat Attendee, 2019Lauren J. Sharkey is a gifted human being and an honest sharp-witted writer. When she teaches the creative process, she nurtures the human story in each student. She leads us with humor and compassion through the difficult steps of crafting narrative. She opens one door at a time in an arcing continuum of story that makes us believe in ourselves. Lauren is wise beyond her years, with infinite access to what’s compelling in our culture. Because she’s tuned in, we stay focused.
Valerie Spangenberg
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Hi Lauren,
Holly Tappen
James Jones Writers Workshop Retreat Attendee, 2019Lauren is a genuine writer and teacher who looks deep into the meanings of the art. She is passionate and knowledgeable at the same time – a gem!
Sylvie Thiffault
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren’s teachings bring the group immediately to the next level. Personally, I experienced being heard wholeheartedly. Lauren pinpointed immediately what I did well and what I needed to work on, leaving me feeling worthy and skilled. I am making my debuts as a writer and self-confidence plus honest feedback are key. Lauren delivers both in stride.
Leigh Warre
Omega Institute "Get Some Writing Done" Workshop Attendee, 2019Lauren was a wonderfully enthusiastic writing instructor during the workshop I took with Kaylie Jones and Beverly Donofrio. She was compassionate, and had many insights into the work that was shared, which I found very helpful. She also was great in a 1-1 conference with lots of information concerning further study in writing workshops and MFA programs. I highly recommend her as a writing instructor.
