She has won multiple RITA awards for numerous books, and three different children’s awards. She also has a Nobel Prize in literature and has some of the top books on Oparhs list. Her book “Six Months to Live” has been placed in the literary time capsule in the library of congress that will be opened in 2089.

Lurlene says she still loves writing and will continue to write till she no longer can. Last summer was her newest release of “Breathless”. Her first book was “a horse for Mandy” her writing style is still the same and is too encourage teens threw the worst situations and to bring hope and inspire the young.

Three of McDaniel’s books have been selected by children as IRACBC Children’s Choices. Those books are “Somewhere Between Life and Death, Too Young to Die, and Goodbye Doesn’t Mean Forever.” Her other novel “Six Months to Live” has been places in a literary time capsule at the Library of Congress. She also is a recipient of the RITA Award.

In addition to her popular YA novels, McDaniel has written radio and television scripts, promotional and advertising copy, and a magazine column. She is a frequent speaker at schools, writers' conferences, and conventions.

(born 1944 in Philadelphia, PA)

April 5, 1944 (age 67) Philadelphia, PA, United States

She also studies the Bible to help infuse her work with "the human element—the values and ethics often overlooked by the coldness of technology."[2]

She attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she earned a B.A. in English.

Growing up, McDaniel lived in different parts of the country because her father was in the Navy. Eventually her family settled in Florida.

She began her mission on writing to help others cope with the tragedy and the sadness that comes with terminal illness when her son Sean was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.

To make her novels medically accurate, she interviews health professionals and works with various medical groups including Hospice.