Lori Carlson-Hijuelos is releasing a new book A Writing Marriage, and PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the cover<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
The forthcoming book is a blend of memoir and Blue Antiquity, an unpublished novel by the author’s late husband, Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction writer Oscar Hijuelos<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
A Writing Marriage is out May 12, 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Over a decade after the death of her husband, Lori Carlson-Hijuelos\u2019 latest book took her on an \u201cunexpected pilgrimage\u201d to the heart of their union.<\/p>\n
The New York City-based author and editor\u2019s latest book, titled A Writing Marriage, is a memoir, but it\u2019s also much more than that: The forthcoming book also features excerpts from Blue Antiquity, an unpublished novel by Lori\u2019s late husband, Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction writer Oscar Hijuelos.<\/p>\n
The unique blend of fiction and non-fiction will release May 12, 2026, publisher Regalo Press announced on Friday, Oct. 17 \u2014 and PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the cover.<\/p>\n
Oscar, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love<\/a> in 1990 \u2014 the first Latino author to receive the honor \u2014 died in October 2013 at the age of 62. His death came after nearly 15 years of marriage to Lori, their union celebrated not only in A Writing Marriage but on it: The jacket features a photo of the couple from their nuptials.<\/p>\n Regalo Press<\/p>\n ‘A Writing Marriage’ by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos with Oscar Hijuelos<\/p>\n But what is a \u201cwriting marriage?\u201d In the book, Lori \u201cshares her firsthand answer, limning searing recollections of her marriage\u201d to the late Cuban-American novelist, alongside his voice via fragments of Blue Antiquity, per an official description.<\/p>\n \u201cThis memoir is a one-of-a-kind narrative, a blend of genres, an illumination of Hispanic sensibility and verve, an exploration of religious faith and a celebration of true love in the glare of New York City literary stardust,\u201d the description states.<\/p>\n Oscar and Lori tied the knot in December 1998 in Riverside Church in N.Y.C. \u201cOne love story, one Pulitzer Prize and one untimely death later, Lori is left to unveil the creativity and faith that were at the center of their marriage,\u201d the description teases.<\/p>\n “In a narrative of recollections inspired by the setting of a Lutheran cathedral library, Lori delves into the archaeology of their union,\u201d it continues. \u201cHer memories are coupled with excerpts from Oscar\u02bcs unpublished opus, Blue Antiquity, which he was writing at the time of his passing in 2013.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry Heleotis<\/p>\n Oscar Hijuelous and Lori Carlson-Hijuelous on their wedding day in 1998<\/p>\n The previously unread novel is the late author\u2019s \u201cdistillation of a lifetime of pondering human passion, familial love, personal identity, death and eternity,\u201d the description teases. \u201cA Writing Marriage is a literary one-o\ufb00 in style and story that memorializes down-to-earth love and its endurance set against a background of bright lights and certain blessings.\u201d<\/p>\n In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Lori says she feels \u201cblessed to be able to share\u201d the memoir, \u201cwhich recounts the cherished time\u201d she had with her husband prior to his death.<\/p>\n The author also tells PEOPLE that his novel interspersed throughout is \u201ca magical work of literature with an archaeological theme that is paralleled by my memoir’s excavation of a life and a marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been more than a writing exercise (for me),\u201d she adds. \u201cIt has been an unexpected pilgrimage to the heart of our union.\u201d<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n A Writing Marriage is out May 12, 2026, and available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.<\/p>\n![\"Regalo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/d00a707fbf7e57bb4cfb62d70a307587.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Harry](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/a8b52f2758d6085d5675880ce5407b04.jpeg\"\/)
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