Karen M. McManus fun facts about writing, favourite foods, inspiration and more.
If you’re a fan of YA, thrillers, or both, odds are you’ve heard of Karen M. McManus.
Her first book, One Of Us Is Lying became a New York Times bestseller, putting Karen on the map as the undisputed queen of YA mysteries. Fast-paced, full of drama, and incredibly addictive, her books are beloved by teens and adults alike. Often credited for getting teenagers reading, Karen has cemented herself as a star of YA. With six books out now, and a seventh coming on 1 August 2023, there is plenty of mystery to enjoy from her.
Want to know more about the author behind the books? Read on to learn more about Karen.
13 fun facts about Karen M. McManus
- Unsurprisingly, Karen started writing at a young age. She was only eight years old when she wrote her first book, which was about a witch who couldn’t cast spells.
- Her bestselling novel, One Of Us Is Lying was inspired by The Breakfast Club.
- Her favourite part of writing is (usually) drafting.
- Karen was inspired to write YA books after reading The Hunger Games.
- Karen majored in English at university and then went on to get a master’s degree in journalism.
- One of the characters in One Of Us Is Lying was named by Karen’s son, who was nine at the time. Which character? Officer Hank Budapest.
- Karen met most of her critique partners on Twitter.
- She always carries lip balm.
- Karen credits her sister for encouraging her to become an author.
- The pet dog Fritz in One Of Us is Next is based on Karen’s childhood dog – also named Fritz.
- She has two sets of twins in her family. Her niece and nephew helped inspire the characters Ellery and Ezra in Two Can Keep a Secret.
- In a Zoella interview, Karen said her last meal would be Ajiaco (a Colombian potato and chicken stew), chocolate lava cake, and a lot of wine.
- Karen’s award-winning books have been translated into over forty languages.
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While you're here, check out her upcoming book, One of Us is Back.
This post was originally published September 2022 and has since been updated for accuracy.
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