Laurien Papa
Bold Romance. Messy Love. Second Chances.
Author of Swing State • Creator of the sitcom Unmatched
About Me
Laurien Papa Bartuccio is a writer, actor, and producer who tells bold, emotional stories about messy love, second chances, and the humor found in life’s chaos. Her work spans novels, television, and film, blending romance, honesty, and unapologetic truth.
Raised in New Jersey and now based in Naples, Florida, Laurien began her storytelling career on stage before studying acting in New York and Florida, including training with Burt Reynolds. Her background in comedy, improv, and film shaped her distinct voice — heartfelt, funny, and fearless.
Her debut romance novel, Swing State, releases May 11, 2026, and she is currently developing her sitcom Unmatched, inspired by real-life experiences and filmed in Southwest Florida.
Fueled by strong coffee & 90s rom-coms
Once played “Dead Woman #3” in a crime reenactment show
Has eight kids and remembers most of their names
Motto: “It’s never too late to become who you were meant to be.”
Laurien is married to her husband, Ken Bartuccio, her biggest supporter and best friend. Together, they’ve raised a blended family of eight children — a constant source of inspiration, laughter, and creative fuel.
Current Projects
Swing State
Novel · Coming May 2026
Published by One C Publishing
A woman stands at the crossroads of the life she built—and the woman she once was.
Swing State follows a woman caught between loyalty, love, and the self she left behind. As her marriage fractures and old desires resurface, she’s forced to reckon with the choices that shaped her life—and the cost of choosing differently now.
A story of marriage and betrayal, reinvention and awakening, Swing State is the first novel in a sweeping series exploring power, passion, and what it means to begin again when everything feels at risk.
Pre-Order Swing State
Unmatched
Comedy Series · In Development
After a very public fall from grace, former news anchor Elizabeth “Liz” Rossi moves in with her three brothers and reluctantly reenters the modern dating world. Between disastrous first dates, unsolicited family advice, and a bruised ego, Liz begins the messy work of rebuilding her life.
Unmatched is a warm, sharp comedy about midlife reinvention, resilience after betrayal, female friendship, and the absurdity of online dating—where starting over is anything but dignified.
Think I Love Lucy meets Modern Family.
Get Updates on Unmatched & Future Projects
About the Work
I write stories about reinvention—about women who reach the moment where staying the same is no longer an option. My work blends emotional depth with humor, intimacy with disruption, and explores what happens when love, power, and identity collide.
Stay Connected
Be the first to know about:
- Preorder dates and signed copies
- New books in the Swing State series
Updates on Unmatched and future projects
Writing Women Who Don't Apologize—On the Page and Onscreen
Laurien Papa is a novelist and television creator developing character-driven stories about reinvention, power, and love. Whether I'm writing a love triangle or filming a scene about online dating gone wrong, one thing stays the same: I tell stories about strong, flawed, unforgettable women.
Contact Me
Do you have more questions? Are you interested in collaborating on a project? Send me a message, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Laurien Papa Bartuccio
