Picture an American storyteller who weaves tales of love, identity, and adventure with a dash of culinary charm—meet Emily Franklin! With a knack for capturing the hearts of young adults and adults alike, Franklin’s novels, poetry, and memoirs blend authenticity and emotional depth, drawing from her eclectic life as a chef, neuroscience student, and Oxford scholar.
From her bestselling young adult series to her historical fiction masterpiece, The Lioness of Boston, Franklin’s work resonates with readers who crave stories that feel both personal and universal. Let’s dive into the world of this multifaceted author whose pen has left an indelible mark on contemporary literature.
The Making of Emily Franklin
Born with a dream to be a singing, tap-dancing doctor who writes books, Emily Franklin quickly realized dancing wasn’t her forte. Instead, she pursued academics, studying neuroscience at Sarah Lawrence College and earning a master’s from Dartmouth. Her time at Oxford University sparked a love for storytelling, while her stint as a chef on historic schooners added a flavorful layer to her creative palette. These diverse experiences shaped Franklin’s writing, infusing it with intellectual curiosity and a zest for life’s complexities.
Franklin’s early career included poetry and medical writing, but her passion for fiction soon took center stage. Her debut novel, The Principles of Love, marked her as a fresh voice in young adult literature, blending wit and heart in a way that felt like a literary hug.
Emily Franklin’s Unforgettable Stories
Franklin’s bibliography is a treasure trove of over twenty books, spanning young adult fiction, adult novels, poetry, and a cookbook-memoir. Her seven-book series, The Principles of Love, follows Love Bukowski, a teen navigating prep school drama and romance with a Gilmore Girls-esque charm. Critics praised its refreshing take on teen life, blending humor with poignant coming-of-age themes.
In The Lioness of Boston, Franklin dives into historical fiction, bringing to life Isabella Stewart Gardner, a trailblazing art patron of the Gilded Age. The novel’s lyrical prose and vivid portrayal of Gardner’s resilience earned rave reviews, with the New York Journal of Books calling it a “captivating story of a significant woman.” Young adult gems like Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom, co-authored with Brendan Halpin, tackle timely issues like LGBTQ+ identity, landing on the 2013 Rainbow List for its heartfelt narrative.
Franklin’s style is marked by emotional authenticity, sharp dialogue, and a knack for blending humor with deeper themes. Whether exploring mother-daughter bonds in Liner Notes or family dynamics in her cookbook-memoir Too Many Cooks, her work feels like a conversation with a wise, witty friend.
Why Emily Franklin Matters
Emily Franklin’s impact lies in her ability to craft stories that resonate across generations. Her young adult novels empower teens to embrace their identities, while her adult works, like The Lioness of Boston, celebrate women who defy convention. Her poetry collection, Tell Me How You Got Here, won the 2021 Pinch Literary Award, showcasing her versatility and emotional depth.
Franklin’s influence extends beyond the page. As a former chef and mother of four, she brings a grounded perspective to her writing, inspiring readers to find beauty in life’s messiness. Her work has appeared in prestigious outlets like The New York Times and Guernica, cementing her as a literary force with a lasting legacy.
- Key Works: The Lioness of Boston, The Principles of Love, Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom, Too Many Cooks
- Awards: 2021 Pinch Literary Award for Poetry; The Half-Life of Planets nominated for YALSA’s Best Book of the Year
- Fun Fact: Franklin once worked as a chef on historic schooners, inspiring her culinary memoir.
Ready to fall in love with Emily Franklin’s world? Grab The Lioness of Boston or dive into The Principles of Love for a dose of her signature wit and warmth!