L. E. Dudley

Author
L. E. Dudley
L. E. Dudley

L. E. Dudley (Laurie), a North Carolina native, is a children's writer and the author of the heartwarming junior novel series, The Unicorn Shore. She is the proud wife of a career Army man, and together they have lived all over the world with their three children.

Laurie believes books, especially fiction, have great power in helping children process hard situations and big emotions. She has witnessed it not only in the lives of her own children, who experienced the loss of friendships and a lack of stability because of frequent moves, but also in the classroom during her time as a Kindergarten teacher.

She is passionate about the importance of raising children with a love for reading, as well as the important role books hold in strengthening the loving bond between child and caregiver. No matter what is happening in a child's world, reading together creates stability and a sense of connection.

Bringing her own fantastical worlds to life to share with children everywhere has been a lifelong desire.

Laurie lives wherever the Army has currently sent her family, along with their little doodle dog, Lily, and their smooshy-face black cat, Pepper. She has a degree in journalism and a master's degree in trauma counseling, and is a full member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

The Unicorn Shore: The Secret of the Shell and the sequel, The Unicorn Shore: Eclipse’s Secret, are both available now on Amazon and through major online book retailers. The third in the series, The Ring of Mischief, will release September 2025.                                        

Laurie also writes middle grade fiction under the pen name T. K. Wilder. 

Books

The Unicorn Shore: The Secret of the Shell (A Junior Novel)

Book #1 from the series: The Unicorn Shore

Available now on Amazon and all major online book retailers.

The Unicorn Shore: The Secret of the Shell (A Junior Novel)

Book One in a Magical Junior Novel Series for Young Readers aged 6-9.

“This book is unicorn gold!”—Amazon Reviewer

“Well written with just enough suspense… and plenty of magical unicorns!” —Amazon Reviewer

Nine-year-old Marigold...

The Unicorn Shore: Eclipse's Secret (A Junior Novel)

Book #2 from the series: The Unicorn Shore

Available now on Amazon and all major online book retailers.

The Unicorn Shore: Eclipse's Secret (A Junior Novel)

Book Two in a Magical Junior Novel Series for Young Readers aged 6-9. (Can be read as part of the series or as a standalone)

Eclipse has vanished—and he took a dangerous secret with him.

In this exciting sequel to, The Unicorn Shore:...

The Unicorn Shore: The Ring of Mischief (A Junior Novel)

Book #3 from the series: The Unicorn Shore

The Unicorn Shore: The Ring of Mischief (A Junior Novel)

Book Three in a Magical Junior Novel Series for Young Readers aged 6-9. (Can be read as part of the series or as a standalone)

One enchanted ring. Endless mischief.

Return to the magical Unicorn Shore in the third adventure of the series, as nine-year-old Marigold fulfills her promise by...

Series

The Unicorn Shore: Eclipse's Secret (A Junior Novel)
The Unicorn Shore: The Secret of the Shell (A Junior Novel)
The Unicorn Shore: The Ring of Mischief (A Junior Novel)

The Unicorn Shore

The Unicorn Shore Series (A Junior Novel Series)

Magic, courage, and the power of belief await in this heartwarming and whimsical early chapter book series for ages 6–9.

When nine-year-old Marigold discovers a shimmering shell on her grandmother’s beach, she’s swept into...

Blog

September 19, 2025

Throughout history, authors have frequently used pen names. The practice has deep roots in publishing history and is especially common in...

September 5, 2025

Some fun antidotes and quotes from some of the best children's authors:

1. Beverly Cleary’s Chicken Trouble

In her memoir A Girl from Yamhill,...

August 29, 2025

Draven the Kirin: A Magical Creature from Ancient Legends

In Eclipse’s Secret, we learn something amazing about Draven: he is a Kirin. But what...

August 22, 2025

We love to hate them, but we probably shouldn't take any back to school advice from these baddies!

1. Miss Trunchbull (Matilda)

“Save time in the...

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Latest Updates

May 30, 2025

The Unicorn Shore: The Ring of Mischief (A Junior Novel)

Book Three in a Magical Junior Novel Series for Young Readers aged 6-9. (Can be read as...

March 31, 2025

The Unicorn Shore: Eclipse's Secret (A Junior Novel)

Book Two in a Magical Junior Novel Series for Young Readers aged 6-9. (Can be read as part of...

March 1, 2025

The Unicorn Shore: The Secret of the Shell (A Junior Novel)

Book One in a Magical Junior Novel Series for Young Readers aged 6-9.

“This book is...