Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/298737
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013 MACON MAGAZINE I 75 thrilling find for even the most seasoned professionals. at discovery, as well as details of the archaeologists' camp life, find their way into Flatau's first adventure novel for middle- readers (children in the 8- to 12-year-old range). "Pyramid" took the author seven years from concept to publication, and it's the first of Flatua's Lost Worlds series featuring the characters Carly, a 12 year-old tomboy (modeled aer Colleen); Zoë Adams, Carly's best friend; and Carly's mother, Miranda Sullivan, an esteemed archaeologist who dely juggles professional responsibilities and single parenthood. e challenges faced by the characters provide plenty of mystery, danger and heart-stopping action, but also present enough accurate ancient history to please any schoolteacher or young scholar. Flatau included plenty of teachers' resources on her website to encourage the book's use in the classroom. A novice writer less than a decade ago, she set out to learn all she could about authorship and the publishing industry. e Carly story evolved over time as she attended and networked at book conferences/panels/ workshops including the well-known Highlights Chautauqua workshop in the Poconos. It was there she met noted children's author Joy Cowley of New Zealand who has since become her writing mentor. She knew what the setting of her first book would be, and she knew her characters, but at Chautauqua and similar book events, she honed skills to uncover her writing voice, to use dialogue effectively, and to deepen the plot with subplots. Since writing and revising done well can be a full-time endeavor, she also landed a literary agent to free more time for writing, bird watching with her husband (Macon attorney Bill Flatau), and handling the couple's real estate properties. A year ago, her agent submitted the full "Pyramid" manuscript to Brandylane Publishers in Richmond, Va., where it was accepted for fall 2012 publication. Her second book in the series, "Island of the Lost World," places Carly, Zoë and Miranda in danger surrounding mysteries related to the ancient Minoan people on a remote Greek island. e first dra has been completed, but publishing is yet to be decided. Flatau and her husband make a point to visit each area in which her books take place at least once, and heavy researching and continual revising are part of the lengthy process. She hopes her Carly adventures will encourage children to look at the world in a new way, because, she said, "as humans in a modern world, we tend to be so insular." IT WAS MEANT TO BE For a self-proclaimed library nerd and homebody, new young adult author Lauren Morrill (she also uses her maiden name when writing) oen lives in a fast lane, literally. In July, she relocated to Macon from Boston with her husband Adam Ragusea, general manager at Mercer's PBS station, WMUM, a part of the school's Collaborative Journalism Project. One of the first things Lauren did was sign up for the newly formed Middle Georgia (roller) Derby Demons. She skates and competes in the league under the name "Mona Mour." In her Boston league, she was known as the "Boston Derby Dame." Settled in Macon, she also lost no time signing up as an extra for two episodes of the CW Network's "Vampire Diaries," and she can be seen in the new Lifetime TV pilot, "e Witches of East End," shot at Macon's Hay House. "Witches" is based on a popular YA (young adult) novel by Melissa de la Cruz. Lauren Morrill in her Macon home.