📖 Overview
Laura Whitcomb is an American novelist and writing instructor known primarily for her young adult supernatural fiction and writing guides. Her most notable work, "A Certain Slant of Light" (2005), was selected for Barnes & Noble's "Discover Great New Writers" program and has been optioned for film adaptation by Summit Entertainment.
Born in Pasadena, California, in 1958, Whitcomb earned her English degree from California State University in 1993. She has taught language arts in both California and Hawaii before establishing herself as an author.
Her bibliography includes the companion novels "A Certain Slant of Light" and "Under the Light," the historical fiction work "The Fetch," and instructional books "Novel Shortcuts: Ten Techniques to Ensure a Great First Draft" and "Your First Novel: An Author Agent Team Share the Keys to Achieving Your Dreams." Her work has received recognition through three Kay Snow awards.
While critical reception of her work has varied, Whitcomb's "A Certain Slant of Light" earned particular acclaim, receiving recognition from the American Library Association and Publishers Weekly. She currently resides in Wilsonville, Oregon, where she continues to write and teach.
👀 Reviews
Readers connect most strongly with "A Certain Slant of Light," praising its unique take on ghost stories and poetic writing style. Multiple reviews highlight the romance elements and atmospheric prose. One Amazon reviewer noted: "The writing is beautiful without being pretentious."
Readers appreciate:
- Lyrical, descriptive writing
- Complex character relationships
- Fresh perspective on supernatural themes
- Emotional depth in young adult fiction
Common criticisms:
- Slow pacing, especially in early chapters
- Religious themes that some find heavy-handed
- Limited appeal beyond YA romance fans
- Less engaging subsequent books
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: "A Certain Slant of Light" - 3.9/5 (38,000+ ratings)
"The Fetch" - 3.4/5 (2,000+ ratings)
"Under the Light" - 3.7/5 (2,500+ ratings)
Amazon: Average 4.2/5 across all titles
Her writing guides receive positive reviews for practical advice, though some readers note the content is basic for experienced writers.
📚 Books by Laura Whitcomb
A Certain Slant of Light (2005)
A ghost who has haunted generations of hosts becomes visible to a high school English teacher and discovers another spirit inhabiting a living student's body.
Under the Light (2013) A companion novel that continues the supernatural story from A Certain Slant of Light, following the living hosts after the spirits have departed.
The Fetch (2009) Set in 1880s Russia, a supernatural soul collector falls in love with a young woman he is meant to escort to the afterlife.
Novel Shortcuts: Ten Techniques to Ensure a Great First Draft (2009) A technical guide presenting specific methods for crafting essential elements of novel writing.
Your First Novel: An Author Agent Team Share the Keys to Achieving Your Dreams (2006) A practical handbook co-written with literary agent Ann Rittenberg that covers the process of writing and publishing a first novel.
Under the Light (2013) A companion novel that continues the supernatural story from A Certain Slant of Light, following the living hosts after the spirits have departed.
The Fetch (2009) Set in 1880s Russia, a supernatural soul collector falls in love with a young woman he is meant to escort to the afterlife.
Novel Shortcuts: Ten Techniques to Ensure a Great First Draft (2009) A technical guide presenting specific methods for crafting essential elements of novel writing.
Your First Novel: An Author Agent Team Share the Keys to Achieving Your Dreams (2006) A practical handbook co-written with literary agent Ann Rittenberg that covers the process of writing and publishing a first novel.
👥 Similar authors
Libba Bray writes supernatural young adult fiction with historical elements and explores themes of identity and romance through ghostly narratives. Her Gemma Doyle trilogy features similar paranormal elements and Victorian-era settings that would appeal to Whitcomb readers.
Nova Ren Suma combines literary writing with supernatural elements in her young adult novels focusing on complex female characters. Her books "Imaginary Girls" and "The Walls Around Us" share Whitcomb's blend of ghost stories with deeper themes about connection and loss.
Mary E. Pearson creates intricate fantasy worlds with romantic elements and strong character development. Her writing style emphasizes emotional depth and relationship dynamics similar to Whitcomb's approach.
Victoria Schwab crafts supernatural stories that merge contemporary settings with ghost narratives and paranormal elements. Her novel "The Near Witch" contains similar themes to Whitcomb's work regarding spirits and forbidden relationships.
Sarah Waters writes historical fiction with supernatural elements and gothic undertones. Her novels feature similar atmospheric qualities and exploration of relationships across social boundaries that appear in Whitcomb's work.
Nova Ren Suma combines literary writing with supernatural elements in her young adult novels focusing on complex female characters. Her books "Imaginary Girls" and "The Walls Around Us" share Whitcomb's blend of ghost stories with deeper themes about connection and loss.
Mary E. Pearson creates intricate fantasy worlds with romantic elements and strong character development. Her writing style emphasizes emotional depth and relationship dynamics similar to Whitcomb's approach.
Victoria Schwab crafts supernatural stories that merge contemporary settings with ghost narratives and paranormal elements. Her novel "The Near Witch" contains similar themes to Whitcomb's work regarding spirits and forbidden relationships.
Sarah Waters writes historical fiction with supernatural elements and gothic undertones. Her novels feature similar atmospheric qualities and exploration of relationships across social boundaries that appear in Whitcomb's work.