Cynthia Elizabeth Giles

Lamar Giles is an American author specializing in young adult fiction and short stories. He gained recognition for his novels, including the award-winning 'Fake ID,' 'SPIN,' 'Not So Pure and Simple,' and the middle-grade fantasy series 'The Legendary Alston Boys.' Giles is also a co-founder of the non-profit organization We Need Diverse Books, dedicated to promoting diversity in children's literature.

Originally from Hopewell, Virginia, Giles began writing at 14 and pursued a career in writing after college, inspired by Stephen King's 'On Writing.' He worked as a real estate agent before receiving a fellowship from the Virginia Commission of the Arts. His first novel, 'Fake ID,' was sold when he was 31. Giles has also contributed to various anthologies and edited the collection 'Fresh Ink.' He holds a B.S. in communications with an English minor from Old Dominion University and is a faculty member at Spalding University's MFA program. He resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, with his wife.

Lamar Giles is primarily recognized for his contributions to young adult literature, with several of his novels achieving significant acclaim. His debut novel, 'Fake ID,' published in 2014, is a thriller centered on an African-American teenager navigating a new town under an assumed identity due to his father's past. The narrative involves the protagonist becoming entangled in the investigation of a mysterious murder. Giles has cited Gerald Shur's non-fiction works and Steve Barnes' 'Casanegra' as influences for this novel. His subsequent work, 'Endangered,' published in 2015, explores themes of vigilantism as a teen's undercover persona is exposed. Giles also edited 'Fresh Ink,' an anthology featuring stories by diverse authors addressing marginalized experiences, highlighting his commitment to broadening representation in literature.

Beyond his writing, Lamar Giles is a prominent advocate for diversity in publishing. He is a founding member of the non-profit organization We Need Diverse Books, where he previously served as VP of Communications and was part of their 2017 advisory board. His dedication to the field extends to his academic roles; he has served as a judge for the National Book Awards and is a faculty member in Spalding University's MFA program. Furthermore, he was appointed the inaugural writer-in-residence at William & Mary Libraries in 2025, underscoring his influence and recognized contributions to the literary community.