Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Romance
Formats: $19 paperback | $9.99 ebook | $19.99 audiobook
Released: July 30, 2024
Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into 20 languages and include the Fall Away series and the Devil’s Night series. In Five Brothers, one woman learns the secrets of the five Jaeger brothers.
When asked what contributed to the book landing on the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, Douglas said: “I’ve never set out to make lists, just write something that feels exciting to me, but I think one of the things I’ve learned is that readers love to be put in worlds they don’t want to leave. That can be just as important as the plot. Take them somewhere they never get to go with its own unique setting, mysteries, and distinct characters.”
They add, “Don’t underestimate the value of aesthetic.” To lean into aesthetics, Douglas uses Pinterest mood boards and curated playlists to set a tone and vision for the story’s atmosphere. “It’s easy to set a story in Smalltown, America, but we can amp up the atmosphere by adding details that make the setting one of a kind. Using the five senses to put the reader in that environment is the difference between them enjoying the book and them never wanting to leave that book.”
To other authors, Douglas said, “Some of my books have done well but then years later will hit far better than when they first released. It’s hard to gauge the market and what will connect with readers or when, but the first and most important rule we should all follow is to write what excites you. … Readers can tell when you’re bored.”
Emily Wenstrom is a freelance writer and platforming expert and writes award-winning speculative fiction for teens and adults as E. J. Wenstrom.
E. J. Wenstrom believes in complicated heroes, horrifying monsters, purple hair dye and standing to the right on escalators so the left side can walk. She writes dark speculative fiction for adults and teens, including her new release, a young adult dystopian novel titled Departures (August 10, 2021). When she isn’t writing fiction, E. J. Wenstrom is a regular contributor to DIY MFA and BookRiot, and co-hosts the Fantasy+Girl Podcast. Learn more at her website.
