Ever doodled absentmindedly in class, secretly wishing your scribbles had power? Allan Lacoursiere taps right into that fantasy with his intriguing novel, Goth. Through the eyes of quirky and relatable protagonist Zero Wyrd, readers dive into a captivating journey where ordinary doodles turn life upside-down. It’s teenage life—complete with mishaps and mysteries—dialed up to eleven.
Discovering Powers and Unraveling Mysteries
Zero Wyrd isn’t your typical teen heroine. For starters, her artistic doodles aren’t just idle sketches—they actually make things happen. Sometimes spectacularly wrong things. One day she’s casually failing math, the next she’s accidentally flooding her basement with oil or trapping an irritating classmate in her cell phone. Zero’s newfound abilities might sound cool, but they land her in messes bigger than she bargained for.
What truly sets the plot in motion, though, is Zero’s quest to find her missing father. Allan Lacoursiere skillfully weaves a compelling mystery around this family saga, giving Zero’s adventures purpose and urgency. Her latest lead is an eerie, haunted inn just a county away—if only she could get there without causing any more disasters. But chaos seems to follow her everywhere, turning simple road trips into memorable escapades.
Teenage Trials, Emotional Depth, and Humor
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its authentic portrayal of teenage emotion. Lacoursiere nails the adolescent voice—Zero feels genuinely like a teen who’s trying to figure out life, identity, and responsibility. Her character is refreshingly honest, quirky, and funny, making her immediately likable. Readers will find themselves chuckling one moment and nodding in empathy the next.
An agent from a prominent publishing company praised Goth precisely for this reason, highlighting its “raw emotional depth and stylistic originality.” And it’s true—Lacoursiere doesn’t shy away from tough topics like isolation and identity struggles. Instead, he confronts them head-on, delivering heartfelt messages wrapped cleverly in humor and fantasy.
Yet, amidst these profound moments, the novel never feels too heavy. Zero’s humorous reflections and comic disasters provide a light-hearted balance, making the narrative engaging from start to finish. It’s this seamless blend of seriousness and humor that makes the story shine.
A Writer Who’s Seen It All
Behind the delightful pages of Goth stands Allan Lacoursiere, an author who’s truly lived a writer’s life. With over fifty years of experience and thirty novels published, Allan brings depth, wisdom, and authenticity to his writing. Having taught novel writing to young aspiring writers at John Paul II Catholic Secondary School, Allan’s passion for storytelling clearly runs deep. Together, they even crafted five novels under the inspiring club name, “Pens of John Paul II.”
His own journey into writing began at sixteen, pounding away at the keys of an old Underwood typewriter, turning out an epic 1200-page novel. Driven by a philosophy of embracing life’s adventures—like joining the Canadian Navy right out of high school—Allan accumulated rich experiences that translate vividly onto the page. He humorously admits the Canadian Navy didn’t exactly offer globe-trotting excitement (“I had more ships in my bathtub as a kid”), yet his varied travels and work across industries infused his storytelling with authenticity.
Allan’s lived life boldly—meeting countless fascinating people, exploring diverse places—and all this vibrancy finds its way into his characters and settings. Goth reflects this adventurous spirit perfectly, making Allan’s latest book feel alive, fresh, and genuinely engaging.
Why You’ll Want to Dive into Goth
Ultimately, Goth is more than a book—it’s an experience. If you’ve ever been a teenager, you’ll recognize the emotional rollercoaster. If you’ve ever wished your doodles had magical powers, Zero’s adventures will captivate your imagination.
Allan Lacoursiere has crafted a compelling tale of magical realism, teenage authenticity, and gripping mystery. It’s a fresh twist on typical young adult tropes, promising readers both entertainment and deeper insights into identity and growing up. So, grab your copy and see for yourself why Goth is a must-read for anyone who loves stories filled with humor, heart, and a healthy dose of magic.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Thank you so much for joining us today!
Hi, Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
My name is Allan Lacoursiere. I have been writing for 50 years and have published more than thirty novels. Until recently, I also taught a novel writing course at a local high school as an afterschool activity. Pens of John Paul II, the name of our club, wrote and published 5 novels.
Please tell us about your Book.
Goth is an interesting twist on the typical teenage book trope. It was recently described by an agent from a publishing company as follows: Goth stood out to us for its raw emotional depth, stylistic originality, and unflinching exploration of identity, isolation, and cultural subtext. The narrative presents a vivid and resonant portrait that we feel would engage and challenge readers in the best possible ways. It is a compelling addition to the contemporary literary landscape.
Please tell us about your journey.
I spent most of my life working and gathering as many experiences as I could to help lend my books depth. I have spoken to and gotten to know thousands of people for the same purpose. It has been a fascinating journey through life.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
I’ve never believed in writer’s block. I try to keep to a regular schedule with my writing whenever life has offered me the opportunity.
Any message for our readers
If you wish to do anything in life, whether it’s an artistic endeavor or a career goal, don’t give up.
Thank you so much, Allan, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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