Wow! We are super excited to share with you this interview that we had with author L.M. White. L.M.'s new book, The ATLAS Project is being released on May 26th, 2023 by Future House Publishing. It's a fantastic and thrilling story that takes a different twist on the traditional dystopian troupes. Instead of jumping right into the heat of the dystopian world, L.M.'s story starts by telling us about the creation of the world and how the mayhem starts. In successive novels (we expect) the story will go full speed and launch off into full dystopia.

You can check out the story on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C22431H1

Now, let's get into the interview.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Growing up, I would write on any paper I could get my hands on. I wrote my first novel in high school (it was terrible and will never see the light of day, but it was an important step in my growth as a writer). I attended college thanks to a generous academic scholarship and earned my degree in English. I am a teacher who lives in Utah with my husband, three energetic kids, and two mischievous dogs. 

How would you describe your book in three words?

Suspenseful, gritty, and important

What inspired this book?

I wanted to see myself within the pages of a book, but I didn’t find my experiences in anything I read. So I created Barin, a lower-class teen from a little-known town fighting for equal opportunity in the world. Many of Barin’s experiences in the beginning chapters of the book mirror my own experiences or the experiences of my peers who were in similar circumstances.  

Would you get along with your main character(s)?

Barin would be my best friend, and I’d enjoy bantering with Masia’s fiery personality. Would I be friends with the antagonist David Hann? Not a chance. 

What is the strangest thing you’ve had to research for a book? Any book.

“How long does a body take to decay in the desert” is my weirdest Google search to date. This was needed for the sequel to The ATLAS Project. 

What is your number one piece of advice for an aspiring author? 

Write what you think the world is missing. We need your voice.

What can we expect for future books?

The stakes have never been higher, and those on the Outside will face their greatest challenges yet. Even life inside ATLAS isn’t what it seems . . .

What is one thing you would like to tell your readers?

If this book helps just one person, all the time I’ve spent writing, revising, and querying was worth it. If that person is you, thank you. 

How long did it take you to write this book?

I wrote the beginning chapter nearly five years ago. It stayed dormant in my Google Drive until 2021, when I finally finished the first draft. Some stories demand to be told, and this was one of them. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love being outside. I mountain bike, swim, and run. I like baking anything with chocolate.

What do you think makes a good story?

Good stories are well-paced, original, and relatable. Great stories do all that while also teaching a message about our world. 

What can people expect from this book?

Readers can expect a fast-paced novel with lots of twists. They can expect relatable characters facing insurmountable challenges.

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If you would like to learn more about my writing process and the ATLAS series, visit my website lmwhiteauthor.com or follow me on Twitter @lmwhiteauthor.