Cynthia Giles

Lamar Giles is an American writer recognized for his young adult novels and short stories. He is the creator of popular titles such as Fake ID, SPIN, and Not So Pure and Simple, as well as the middle-grade fantasy series The Legendary Alston Boys. Giles also co-authored The Serpent and the Stallion under the pseudonym L.R. Giles and has contributed short stories to various anthologies. His work often explores themes relevant to young adults, with his debut novel, Fake ID, delving into identity and mystery.

Beyond his writing career, Giles is a significant figure in advocating for diversity in literature. He is a founding member of the non-profit organization We Need Diverse Books, having previously served as its VP of Communications and on its advisory board. His commitment to the literary community extends to his roles as a judge for the National Book Awards and as faculty for Spalding University's MFA program. Giles is also slated to be the inaugural writer-in-residence at William & Mary Libraries in 2025. He resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, with his wife.

Born on November 14, 1979, Lamar Giles spent his formative years near an army base in Hopewell, Virginia. His passion for writing emerged early; he penned his first novel at the age of 14 and graduated from Hopewell High School in 1997. He pursued higher education at Old Dominion University, earning a B.S. in communications with a minor in English. The desire to become a published author was solidified during his college years after reading Stephen King's "On Writing." Giles sold his first short story at 21 and also published works independently under the name L.R. Giles. Before achieving broader recognition, he worked as a real estate agent. A significant turning point came in 2006 when he received a fellowship from the Virginia Commission of the Arts. He sold his first major novel, "Fake ID," at the age of 31.

Lamar Giles is a co-founder of the influential non-profit We Need Diverse Books, an organization dedicated to promoting diversity within the children's literature industry. He has actively contributed to the organization's mission, serving as its former Vice President of Communications and as a member of its 2017 advisory board. His engagement with the literary world also includes serving as a judge for the 2018 National Book Awards and as a faculty member in the Spalding University MFA program. Furthermore, he has been appointed as the inaugural writer-in-residence for William & Mary Libraries, a position he will hold starting in 2025. Giles currently resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, with his wife.

Giles is best known for his young adult fiction, including award-winning novels like "Fake ID" (2014), a thriller about an African-American teen navigating a new life under a false identity due to his father's past, and becoming involved in solving a friend's murder. Other prominent works include "Endangered" (2015), "Spin" (2019), and "Not So Pure and Simple" (2020). He is also the author of the middle-grade fantasy series "The Legendary Alston Boys." Giles edited the anthology "Fresh Ink" (2018), a collection featuring stories from various authors addressing marginalized experiences. His writing often draws inspiration from other literary works and explores complex themes relevant to young protagonists.