By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune Reporter
Separated at birth, 15-year-old triplets, Felix Anchor and his sisters, Jinx and Desdemona, are reunited under bizarre circumstances. Just as they are getting to know each other for the first time, they discover a dark secret about their family’s past. Now, they’re determined to save the world from evil forces in The Ascension, the debut novel by 16-year-old Dixie Heights High School student, Lauren Hudson, of Villa Hills.
Lauren Hudson
While The Ascension is Hudson’s first novel, it’s her second book. Her nonfiction book, Our Best Tomorrow: Students Teaching Capitalism to America, garnered awards — she was the recipient of a Mom’s Choice Gold Award, E-Lit Silver Award, Great Southeast Book Festival Award and young adult book awards at the New York — and national media attention, including appearances on Fox News and The Blaze. Hudson, who was 13-years-old when “Our Best Tomorrow” was published, collaborated on the book with her father, attorney Robert Hudson.
“The Ascension is fantasy fiction which connects with a larger purpose – a race of guardian angels among us and how three unlikely teen heroes, siblings, end up trying to protect them,” says Hudson. “I grew up reading fantasy novels. It’s always been a dream of mine to write one of my own.”
Actually, her immediate plans are to write three novels. The Ascension is the first novel in a trilogy that she plans to release under the blanket title, The Ascension Series.
That the main characters in The Ascension are siblings was also important for Hudson. She drew her inspiration from her brother, Robbie.
“I wanted to write about siblings because I have grown up with an amazing brother, Robbie, who is like a built-in best friend,” says Hudson. “I loved basing the characters’ interactions in The Ascension off the great times we have had together.”
She says she hopes the take away for her readers is that family is a true blessing and not to be taken for granted.
Hudson’s launch party for The Ascension, which is published by Headline Books, takes place at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Crestview Hills on October 9 at 2 p.m. She will also present at the Northern Kentucky Young Adult Author event at Lloyd High School in Erlanger on October 22.
Like many teenagers, Hudson juggles a tight schedule, she just happens to add writing, book launches and author presentations to her itinerary. She says she finds time for writing by pretending its part of her homework – the “enjoyable part,” she says.
Hudson believes stories play an important role, especially for teens.
“In this day and age, being a teenager there’s a lot to distract you and things can be difficult,” says Hudson. “Stories can take you out of 21st century problems and into worlds with magical happenstances which aren’t your own. Every teen needs that now and then.”
Hudson finds her own literary inspiration in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, which she’s read four or five times, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
“I love F. Scott Fitzgerald because his descriptive power can turn a simple object into a fantastic piece of art,” says Hudson. “When he writes about a smile, you think that smile can change the world, and maybe it can.”
Hudson, through her love of literature, is setting out to make some changes in the world too.
In addition to The Ascension, Hudson has launched a literacy initiative called Crackin’ the Cover to encourage the next generation of avid readers and writers. She aims to donate copies of young adult books, including The Ascension, to select schools.
“I hear so many people say they don’t like to read. I think they say that because they haven’t found the right book. Maybe The Ascension can help,” says Hudson. “For me, reading leads to a more vivid imagination. It helps us dream. The next generation of great American authors is out there, just waiting to be developed and found.”
Her father, and co-author on Our Best Tomorrow, Robert Hudson, says when Lauren was in the re-write stage of The Ascension he asked her what it meant to have the privilege of writing, and they talked about how they needed to share their talents in different ways.
“Accordingly, we formed Crackin’ the Cover, an initiative where schools will receive free books, Lauren will speak to schools, and will sign books for non-profits at events,” says Robert Hudson. “I have explained to Lauren that we accomplish nothing alone. It takes a community (and lots of help) for even one person to succeed.”
Crackin’ the Book begins in October with Hudson’s presentations to schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. In late September, books went out to all high schools in Northern Kentucky. Headline Books has offered the kindle version of the book for 99 cents until October 14.
In the meantime, Hudson says next up for her is helping Dixie Heights High School win the district soccer tournament.
“As for books, I have two offers on the table – a book with dad about making it in America and a second book in The Ascension series,” says Hudson. “I’ll try to finish both later this year, but sorry dad, The Ascension Series comes first.”
