Press Kit
Awards & Recognitions
Since publishing my first full-length novel, I’ve been honored to participate in some of the most respected book awards and literary communities in the industry. Every recognition—whether it’s a five-star reader review, a festival nod, or an official nomination—reminds me why I started writing in the first place: to connect, to heal, and to tell stories that matter.
Some of the awards and recognitions I’ve entered or been featured in include:
BookFest Awards
Recognized for exceptional literary work and storytelling in the 2025 BookFest Awards.
Indie Book Awards
Multiple books submitted for Indie Book Awards, celebrating the best in independent publishing.
KDP Select All-Star Program
Featured as part of Amazon’s KDP Select All-Star program for outstanding reader engagement.
ARC (Advance Reader Copy) Communities
My books have been featured with top ARC review groups, receiving glowing early feedback from hundreds of readers.
BookTok & Bookstagram Features
Selected and spotlighted by leading BookTok and Bookstagram reviewers, with positive reviews and social buzz.
Reader’s Choice Awards
Submitted several titles for Reader’s Choice Awards in the romance, women’s fiction, and historical saga categories.
Media & Press:
My books and story have been featured in literary interviews, podcasts, and social media spotlights.
Professional Memberships:
Active member of independent author networks and literary communities.
Speaking & Panels:
Invited as a guest for online panels, book festivals, and indie author events.
Charity & Community:
Supporter of local literacy programs, community arts, and initiatives giving a voice to underrepresented stories.
I’m committed to continuing this journey—not just for the accolades, but for every reader who finds themselves between the pages. Thank you for being part of my story.
For years I’ve been writing stories across many different genres—romance, fantasy, suspense, and literary fiction. The truth is that each kind of story has its own voice.
Instead of forcing them all into one name, I created a home for them.
That home is Emerald Harbour.
Inside Emerald Harbour you’ll find stories written under several pen names, each one focused on a different kind of storytelling.
Laura Carpenter – emotional romance and contemporary fiction
Maeve D. Gealach – dark fantasy and throne-room intrigue
Nessa Morrigan – mythic fantasy and folklore worlds
Rowan Kincaid – dark romantic suspense
L. M. Ward – crime and legal thrillers
Síofra Hart – intimate romance exploring trust and power
Bridie Byrne McGuinness – literary Irish fiction
Nora Kealy – young adult coming-of-age stories
E. M. Kane – science fiction and speculative worlds
Different voices.
Different stories.
But all part of the same harbour.
In the next email, I’ll introduce a few of the books readers are discovering first.
Warmly,
Laura