Bienvenida to Las Musas blog, Paola Santos. We are eager to hear about your new project, A House In My Barrio. 

Let's talk about this sweet book. What is A House In My Barrio about?
Mamá Elena always knows just what to do when someone needs help. Whether it’s by cooking a delicious meal or simply by lending an ear, she keeps her community together. And because of her warmth, her home is young Manuel’s favorite. But when Mamá Elena suffers a fall that leaves her bedridden, the barrio changes overnight. Missing Mamá Elena and her house, Manuel is determined to help lift her spirits. In a selfless act of organizing, he gathers his neighborhood so they can give back all the love and support Mamá Elena has shown them.

What 3 words would you use to describe your book?
Imagination, Space, Familia

Where did you get the idea to write this particular story? 
When I was 10 or 11 years old, there was a house near my school that I loved to visit. Before going home, I would open the gate to this tiny house, knowing that inside I would always be welcomed with warmth and open arms. It was in a lively barrio, surrounded by friends, teachers, and the whole school community. But many other barrios shaped me as well, countless neighborhoods where I witnessed people coming together to support one another.

This was just one of the seeds that gave life to A House in My Barrio. The others came from my grandma and from the volunteer work I did with older adults, both in Venezuela and here in Canada. Those experiences showed me how vulnerable people can become as they age and how deeply they long for companionship, care, and love.

This story is a tribute to those who are the heart of their barrio (neighborhood) and home, those who spent their lives caring for their communities and loved ones through simple acts of kindness but who, because of illness or old age, can no longer care for themselves. Can we give back the same love they once gave us?

What was the most difficult scene to write in this story? 
It was more than one scene; it was the whole structure of this book! I wanted to present the problem right at the beginning of the story, but I struggled to convey how important Mamá Elena was before the inciting incident. Finally, during the editing process, we moved the problem closer to the center of the story, and voilà! Everything flowed more naturally, and Mamá Elena’s absence felt more urgent.

What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?
Despite what they may see in the world today, I hope children remember that we are capable of beautiful gestures and even heroic acts, no matter how small they may seem. When readers close the book, I hope they feel uplifted and inspired, knowing inspired, that building community and sharing love are choices that are in our own hands.

What comes next for you as an author?
On June 1 of next year, my third picture book will be out in the world! Vida Dreams, illustrated by the incredibly talented and fellow Venezuelan Marianne Ferrer and published by Kids Can Press, is a story about the reasons behind immigration and the resilience that accompanies those decisions. It is a powerful story that I hope will touch the hearts of every reader.

Wifredo's Jungle brings to light the life of Cuban artist Wifredo Lam, who portrayed the enduring Afro-Cuban spirit culture through his art.
In a village on the tropical island of Cuba, a boy named Wifredo Lam loved to draw his surroundings—hot blue air, cool green leaves, and brilliant flowers.
As he grew older, Lam paid tribute to his Cuban, West African, and Chinese heritage through his art, which brought dignity and respect to Cuba's rich mix of cultures.
Inspired by and in contact with some of the most renowned artists of the early 20th century, such as Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and André Breton, Lam blended European cubism and surrealism with multicultural influences to create his own unique style, culminating in the creation of his masterpiece La Jungla (The Jungle).
​
From Margarita Engle, a Newbery Honor Winner and a former Young People’s Poet Laureate, and Jacqueline Alcántara, a New York Times bestselling illustrator, Wifredo’s Jungle introduces young readers to the trailblazing life and work of Wifredo Lam.
Back matter includes: more information about the life of Lam and where to see his works; a glossary; and a bibliography.

Margarita, where did you get the idea to write this particular story?
My mother was a Cuban art student, and my father was a visiting American artist. As a child, I stayed in my tío abuelo’s (also an artist!) tiny cabaña on La Playa de los Artistas in Jibacoa, wondering about all the artists who surrounded us. Later, as an adult, I saw Wifredo Lam’s Jungla in Havana, on loan from its permanent home in New York’s MOMA. It’s such a vast painting that it feels like an entire ecosystem of its own. As a botanist, I was stunned. When I learned about Lam’s multicultural background, his life seemed like a story that the children of the world need.

What was your favorite part of the publication process with this story?
Seeing the illustrations! Jacqueline Alcántara worked magic, capturing the essence of Lam’s difficult life and complex art perfectly, without making it frightening or confusing.
The illustrations are simultaneously powerful and sensitive.

Margarita, what advice do you have for new writers?
My advice for new writers is:
-Write from the heart.
-Scribble the first draft by hand, with a pen on paper.
-Be human. Never use AI.

Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American author of verse novels such as The Surrender Tree, a Newbery Honor book, and Wild Dreamers, an International Latino Book Award gold medalist and Pura Belpré Honor book, also longlisted for the National Book Award. Verse memoirs include Enchanted Air, a Pura Belpré Award winner. Picture books such as Drum Dream Girl and Dancing Hands received numerous honors. Lifetime achievement awards include the NSK Neustadt Prize. Margarita served as the national 2017-2019 Young People’s Poet Laureate. Her newest books are Evamar, Wifredo’s Jungle, Tree Dog, and The Garden of Seven Senses.
Margarita was born in Los Angeles, but developed a deep attachment to her mother’s homeland during childhood summers with relatives on the island.  She studied agronomy and botany along with creative writing, and now lives in central California with her entomologist husband and soccer-playing Border Collie.
www.margaritaengle.com
Facebook: Margarita Engle
Twitter/X: @margaritapoet
Instagram: @engle.margarita

Jacqueline Alcántara has illustrated several widely acclaimed picture books, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller Just Shine! written by Sonia Sotomayor. She is the author and illustrator of Tíos and Primos, which received 2 starred reviews. She lives and teaches illustration in Chicago.​

instagram @_jacqueline_alcantara

Cynthia, welcome to this interview with Las Musas! We are eager to learn about your project. Tell us more! ​

Galina is a happy, imaginative and creative child who is confronted with a sudden family death. She loves very deeply and is frightened by the thought of what happens to her beloved tía after she joins los muertos. So, instead of allowing her image of her dear tía be changed into something scary, she decides to try and forget about her. I made Galina this way, because I could relate to her. I saw a lot of my kids and myself in her and I knew others would too. I wanted to talk about a shared experience that isn’t often found in children’s books. ​

​I would LOVE to one day make a lift-the-flap book. My kids and I have always been big fans of interactive books. I would also love to write a book with a collection of Mexican ghost stories. And, more than anything, I want to publish many more books that share more about my Mexican culture, the spooky side, and all the things I love about it.

Olga, welcome to this interview with Las Musas! We are eager to learn about your project. Tell us more! 
A Light For Lucinda is a lyrical picture book for ages 6-9 (Grades 1-4)
This book honors the human instinct to provide order and stability amid chaos and strife. It is a heartfelt, and uplifting story that shows the love and comfort a family brings to one another during a time of uncertainty and strife. 
The story is set during the Cuban Revolution but it is relatable to any reader.  It invites you to witness the uncertain feelings Lucinda and her family share, and leaves you with a resilient and hopeful comfort.

Where did you get the idea to write this particular story?
I had a phone conversation with my mother while I prepared for a winter storm.  I was cooking dishes that my family could eat in case we lost power.
My mom recounted a memory of when she was little in Cuba during the Battle of Santa Clara. My Grandmother kept cooking in the midst of all that chaos. My Mom drew a parallel between my grandmother and me. We both cooked to bring comfort to our families because we could not control the chaos outside. That realization sparked this story.  It made me think of what other acts of service would family members do in that situation. 

Can you share your path to publication for this book?
I wrote this book back in 2020 and went on submissions. I received a few requests to rewrite and resubmit it.  I rewrote it a lot of times!  From different POVs, with side-by-side narratives, I softened the language, etc.  Still, it didn’t sell, and I put it away for a while. A couple of years later, with a different agent and different times, we took another look at the manuscript, submitted it and it sold quickly!   I feel the editor, Gabriela Baron, connected with this book and understood it. The entire team at Charlesbridge showed so much love for it.  I guess my message here is sometimes it's just not the right time for a story, but you don’t have to give up on it; the right time will come.

What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?
I wish for readers to feel hopeful.  Hard times come and go. There is chaos that we can’t control, but we can find ways to comfort one another, our families, and our community.  My favorite quote from this book is  “No need to curse the dark, we will just create our own light.”

What comes next for you as an author?
I am working on two graphic novels for my debut graphic novel series.  I am very excited to write and illustrate a fun series.  Graphic novels are a lot of work and challenging, but I find them so fun and exciting.

What 3 recommendations would you give writers who are starting out?
1) Write anything! Write it badly, off genre, doens’t matter, just write it down.  A lot of times, you have to get that first idea out of your head before you can explore it further and take it in the direction it needs to go.

2) Just because it didn’t sell, it doesn’t meant is not a sellable book.  It’s a matter of the connections that are sometimes beyond your control.  The right editor finds the right book for them; the world is ready for that specific message. The stars have to align, and sometimes they don’t.  So, put that project away and start another one.  You can always rework a manuscript and try again with more time and distance from it.

3) Don’t give up.  If you feel discouraged, take a break.  But don’t give up on your dreams.  You will still have that longing to get your books published; the dream won’t go away.  Time will continue to pass. The trick to perseverance is to enjoy the ride.  Enjoy the ups, the downs, the almost-but-not-quite.  All the NOs you will hear will only make that Yesses so much sweeter.

Join us as we welcome back Delia Ruiz to celebrate the birthday of another beautiful book! 

Delia, please tell us about Moon Chef:
Readers will follow along as Gaby fills her plate (and belly!) with foods that match the shape of the moon she sees in the sky. From a crescent plantain to a gibbous guava, the food shapes wax and wane as the month goes on, just like lunar phases. The book includes expertly crafted back matter, including additional information about lunar phases and fun STEAM activities.

What 3 words would you use to describe your book?
​Tasty, informative, and fun!

​How would you describe your main character? Why did you create your character that way? The main character, Gaby, is curious, helpful, and creative. I created her as a child of two cultures (just like my own toddler). I wanted her to see both sides of home through foods and also use them to compare them to her own interest (the moon).

What was the most challenging part of the publication process with this story?
I was familiar with the phases of the moon but we got really specific with which hemisphere the story took place because it affected how the moon would be shown. I also had to think of a timeline for the story so all the moon phases could be shown. I had to look up the exact name of the moon phase and make sure everything was labeled correctly for the backmatter. There was a good amount of research that went into moon exploration as well as making sure the
foods resembled the moon at each phase.

What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?
I hope readers see foods they recognize or even want to try! There’s a mix of Spanish in the bilingual edition for families to learn along as well as information on all the moon phases to extend the learning. I hope readers walk away with the curiosity to explore the world around them and make connections to their own life just like Gaby does in the story.

What comes next for you as an author?
Right now I’m translating the Spanish edition of my 2027 book, A JUNGLE FULL OF SPANISH/Una jungla llena de español. I’m going to be working on edits this summer for a car shop 2027 book and I just finished edits on a 2028 picture book all about STEM and camping. Stay tuned!

Welcome to Las Musas Book blog Delia and congratulations on this gorgeous book. We are excited to have you here today. 

Let's start by talking about Ways Papi Says I Love You. 
When Papi, who is always busy working at el rancho, asks Maricruz to jump in the truck with him to go get groceries for Mami, she grabs the list and sprints! During the drive, they wave to the people in their community and enjoy quality time. Ways Papi Says I Love you / Las maneras en que papi dice te quiero is a book that shows all the love languages.

That is very sweet! What 3 words would you use to describe your book?
​Joyous, authentic, and tender.

Where did you get the idea to write this particular story?
I drafted this story in 2022. I remember thinking of memories that brought me joy from my childhood and one that stood out was the rides on my dad’s pickup truck. I took that moment of quality time and played with adding all the other love languages in to create the first draft of my story.

Can you share your path to publication for this book?
This is the book that landed me my agent in 2023. I took an in-person class with my agent the year prior but did not pitch it to her because she was closed to submissions ( I had no clue conference attendees could submit). I waited until she was open and sent a revised edition which got me “the call.” It was sold within one month of signing in an auction to Charlesbridge.

While many editors had different visions, I went with one that resonated the most with the story. I’m so happy it landed at a wonderful publishing house where the team has rooted for the story since day one.

What was your favorite part of the publication process with this story?
I loved seeing the sketches come in. Carlos (illustrator) had lots of creative freedom and since his dad also comes from a rural place in Mexico, he illustrated it in a way that matched the story visually. Many of the places looked like my own ranch and even the father resembled my own. It was as if my vision of the story came to life when I saw the artwork.
​

Connect with Delia:
◦ Instagram: @aventuras.en.esl
◦ TikTok: @aventuras.en.esl
◦ Bluesky: @aventurasenesl.bsky.social
◦ Substack: @aventurasenesl

We are thrilled to welcome Maria José Fitzgerald as she celebrates her newest book, Mystery on Macaw Island.

Maria José, just looking at the delightful cover art makes us want to pick up this book! Tell us more about this project. 
Birds of a feather solve crime together in this exciting middle grade mystery! When eight endangered macaws are stolen from a bird sanctuary in the Mayan ruins of Copán, four
sleuthing cousins must find out who took them—and why.

Nico and his cousins don’t have much in common, but they’re all excited to visit the Mayan ruins at Copán and witness the release of the scarlet macaws. Nearly extinct in Honduras, eight of these majestic birds are about to be introduced to a brand-new bird sanctuary. But on the eve of the big day the birds are stolen!

Who could have planned this bewildering bird heist—and why? Nico and his cousins are determined to find out—and anyone could be a suspect: poachers, developers, Mama’s  annoying novio . . . The investigation will take them from bustling downtown Copán to the mist-shrouded ruins of Macaw Mountain, uniting the cousins as they unravel a plot far stranger than any of them could have imagined.

Connect with Maria José:
www.mariajosefitzgerald.com
Instagram: @author_maria_jose

Today we celebrate the book birthday of Musa Marcia Argueta Mickelson's The Writing Room. We sat down with Marcia to learn more about this book.

Immediately after high school graduation, eighteen-year-old Maya is kicked out of her wealthy
dad's NYC home; he prides himself on forcing his kids to "make their own way in the world". Maya's mom lives in Guatemala, so Maya crashes with friends while working and trying to land
freelance writing gigs.

Maya struggles to find her footing until she gets access to a writing room―a shared workspace where she can focus (and get to know the intriguing neighbor, Jake, who's often there).

When she discovers her dad is bankrolling a virulently anti-immigrant candidate for governor, Maya―the daughter of an immigrant―realizes she can’t continue quietly accepting his choices. She’ll have to take a stand, using the voice she's found in the writing room.

​Read more about this exciting YA novel after the link...

How would you describe your main character and why did you create your character that way?

​I wanted to create Maya as a character who is generally good, but she’s extremely
sheltered and that colors how she sees the world. When her father kicks her out of their
home to go and make it in the world, she calls herself homeless as she’s being driven to
stay at a friend’s house. She doesn’t understand the true sense of the world. She isn’t
homeless as she had 3 different options of where she could stay. She considers herself
less fortunate until she truly understands the dire circumstances others face that give
more meaning to the word. She loves books and puts classics on a pedestal until she
understands that literature can be just as valid in different forms. Her understanding is
clouded, but she allows others’ words, lives, and examples to be instructional in her
learning about the world. As the book progresses, she comes to understand her
privilege and uses it for good.

Where did you get the idea to write this particular story?
I started writing The Writing Room about fifteen years ago. Originally, it was an adult
fiction about the rift between a woman and her father due to her conversion to a
religion different than the one she was raised in. After her religious conversion, he cuts
her out of the family. So, I wanted it to be a book about a woman who was raised in a
wealthy household, is suddenly cut off from everything she knew, and now has to make
her way in the world without that family support. 

I didn’t finish the book, set it aside, and started writing young adult fiction. After
several years, I had the idea to rewrite what I’d written and finish is as a young adult
novel. In that time, the world around me was changing. There was so much division in
our country due to the deplorable ideas of a president who targeted the most
marginalized members of our society. I saw the denigrating words used against
immigrants by people in power, and it fueled me to keep writing. Gradually, the book
became about Maya, a young woman who grew up in a wealthy household. She has a
White father and an immigrant mother who eventually moves back to her home
country of Guatemala. She is cut off financially after she graduates high school and has
to make her way in the world on her own. Again, I wrote about the world around me. I
am from Texas, and our governor is married to the granddaughter of Mexican
immigrants, and he has said very offensive and cruel things about immigrants. I used
him as a template for Maya’s father who was married to an immigrant, whose own
children are half Latino, and yet he espouses and supports white supremacist ideology.
This wasn’t how the story started off, but it is what the story became.

What comes next for you as an author?
I am so excited about my first picture book. It is called Double Enchiladas and will be
published in 2027. I’ve recently been able to see sketches and a tentative cover, and they
look amazing! The illustrator is amazingly talented, and I can’t wait to share more.

What 3 recommendations would you give writers who are starting out?

1. I would recommend that writers read a lot in the genre that they are writing.
   
2. Read craft books that will help you improve your writing, such as Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody and Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King.
3. Be patient and don’t rush things. Writing and publication take a long time. Don’t be in a rush for it to happen. Take your time with everything and know that it is not something that happens quickly. Trying to get an agent takes a long time, even up to 200 rejections. Being on submission can take months. Waiting for the book to get published can take years. If you want it, be in it for the long haul. Don’t think it will happen quickly.

What books are on your to-be-read list?
Right now, on my to-be-read list are: The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler,
The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, and El Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa.

Marcia Argueta Mickelson was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the United States as an infant. She is the author of several young adult novels, including The Writing Room, The Weight of Everything and Where I Belong, a Pura Belpré Young Adult Honor Book. She lives in Texas with her husband and three sons.

Connect with Marcia:
Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok @marciamickelson
Bluesky: @marciamickelson.bsky.social​

Grab your cafecito and join us for a conversation with Maritere R. Bellas about her beautiful book Tío Ricky Doesn't Speak English / Tío Ricky No Habla Inglés.

Maritere, welcome to this interview with Las Musas! We are eager to learn about your project. Tell us more! 
Parents will adore this bilingual English/Spanish hardcover picture book as it spotlights a nephew-uncle relationship in which language barriers know no boundaries. This book showcases the genuine importance of speaking two languages, encouraging bilingualism in our future generations, and the power behind translation, especially between multigenerational individuals.​

Certainly sounds like Tío Ricky Doesn't Speak English / Tío Ricky No Habla Inglés tocuhes on an experience many of us can relate to. Tell us, what inspired you to become a writer?
I think my why has always been language and culture. My first two books for parents were inspired by a mission to support parents that wanted to engage in a bilingual, multilingual, multicultural lifestyle. Parents that wanted to preserve language and culture while embracing the country they had adopted.  My three bilingual children’s books were inspired by the books my 50% Greek, 50% Puerto Rican and 100% American children didn’t have when they were growing up. Books with characters they could identify with and with universal stories that would pay tribute to their cultures.

What 3 words would you use to describe your book?

• Heartwarming
• Engaging
• Inspirational

Are you agented? If so, can you share how you got one?
I love this question! And I am proud to share it! It took me a year and a half of writing, editing, revising, polishing, querying, writing workshops, learning from others, etc.… It was a long process. Along the way, I continue to be active in social media, wearing my bilingual parenting mentor hat offering information, tools and resources for parents raising bilingual, multilingual
and multicultural children. My agent found me, actually!! She sent me a private message asking to see my work, from following me on IG! She ended up being the perfect agent for me as she will be championing my work nationally and internationally. I am forever grateful!

What was the most difficult scene to write in this story? 
We decided early on that something was going to happen to Tío Ricky that would make Enrique reflect on his ability to communicate in two languages and translate for his uncle. I needed to come up with something that wasn’t going to be scary for the young readers. It took some creativity, but ultimately, we did it.

What books are on your to-be-read list?
Anything Yamile Saied Méndez, Adrianna Cuevas and Andrea Beatriz Arango. I am an audiobook reader. MG and YA are my favs! These women are gifted writers, and they do a beautiful job at weaving culture and language into their stories.

Maritere R. Bellas is a Puerto Rican award-winning author, speaker, writer, podcast host and bilingual and multicultural parenting mentor. For over two decades, she has provided education, information, resources and support to families engaging in a multilingual, multicultural lifestyle.  She is the creator and co-host of the Mamás 411 Podcast, listened to in 27 countries, and co-host of the Hablemos Bilingual IG Live series. Mari has published two parenting books in English and Spanish and is the author of three bilingual children’s books. Her favorite social media platform is Instagram—and when she’s not writing, you’ll find her enjoying Southern California living in a suburb of Los Angeles.

Instagram: latinaboomermom
X/FB/LI: MarirereRBellas

Today we celebrate the book birthday of Leslie Adame's Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic. We sat down with Musa Leslie to learn more about this book.

Twelve-year-old Chloe Vega’s biggest fear is that her undocumented parents will be detained by immigration. That is, until she learns that her parents are actually part of a secret magical society…and that the suspicious looking police officers who have been hanging around their block are henchmen for an evil sorcerer determined to settle a decades-old score.

Just when Chloe discovers that she has powers, too, her parents are kidnapped! In order to rescue them, she’ll need to harness her abilities at an elite academy, run by the very agency who exiled her parents from the magical world. Finding herself in the center of a magical war that might destroy everything she has ever known,

Chloe can’t shake the feeling that the Agents of Magic are hiding secrets. With her parents’ lives hanging in the balance, she must uncover who is truly on her side and fast to save her family—and the world itself.

Read more about this exciting new book after the link...

Where did you get the idea to write this particular story?
I was a huge daydreamer when I was a kid, mostly because there was a lot going on in my community (loved ones struggling to make ends meet, friends whose family members were being deported, etc.). It’s tough to deal with that kind of stuff as a kid, so I turned to books and shows to escape it all. I became drawn to magical books about wand-wielding, sword-fighting, and misunderstood kids taking down huge foes. During really tough times, I imagined myself as part of the stories I loved, drawn to the courage and resilience of the characters. I realized I wanted to create stories where characters inspired by my community faced magical challenges of their own. That’s when the idea for Chloe Vega began to take shape.

At first, Chloe Vega was just that—an idea. I had no intention of turning it into a book. But in 2018, as I witnessed news coverage of kids in tears as they were separated from their parents at the border, it lit a fire under me. I wanted to write something those kids could read; not to make them forget about their reality, but to show them that the situation they’re in doesn’t define them. They, too, could be the heroes of their own story.

How would you describe your main character? Why did you create your character that way?
Chloe is how I would describe most children of immigrants: hardworking, anxious to please, and desperately trying to find her place in the world. I thought it would be interesting to explore these themes in a magic school setting, especially a magic school attended by students from all across the American continents and the Caribbean. Chloe grew up with this “keep your head down and everything will be okay” mentality, but in the book, you’ll see how this gets challenged when Chloe has no choice but to break some rules to get answers to
questions she has. 

What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?
My hope is that, through this story, readers can get a glimpse of what it’s like to live a day as a member of a family where at least one person is undocumented. To understand that getting to wake up every day knowing that your family won’t be forced to separate is a privilege that many take for granted. But also, I want readers to get fully sucked into the magical world!

Chloe Vega being the daughter of undocumented immigrants is only part of the story. There are friendships, rivals, found family, and betrayals at every corner, and Chloe is going to embark on a journey that is as much about finding herself and learning to trust her instincts as it is about saving her parents. Chloe’s journey is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, the bonds we forge can light the way as we learn to step into our power.

What comes next for you as an author?
I’m currently deep in the revision trenches for CHLOE VEGA Book 2, but once this is finished, I plan to draft a new YA story that takes place in Mexico’s Land of the Dead, which I would comp as COCO meets SIX OF CROWS.

If you’d like to hear writing updates about that, follow me on Instagram @leslieadame. That’s where I’m most active! I also plan to start a newsletter at some point, so there’s also that option if you’re not active on social media (leslieadame.com).

What 3 recommendations would you give writers who are starting out?
I can give you five, especially if you’re looking to be traditionally published as well! I recommend referencing these amazing podcasts and articles to get a better understanding of the industry:

● How to Find Agents to Query
● How to Find a Literary Agent
● Writing a Query Letter to Literary Agents
● Write or Die Podcast (to hear anecdotes from published authors regarding their road to publication)
● Paper Trail Podcast (lots of good perspective on the BIPOC experience in publishing)

Leslie Adame is a first-generation Mexican American and graduate of UCLA with a degree in political science and a minor in film, television, and digital media. She’s always enjoyed giving back and telling stories about characters not often found in books or films.

Leslie grew up in the Inland Empire, specifically Ontario, California. When she’s not writing, you can find Leslie scanning the aisles of your local bookstore, lovingly pestering her family, and catching a flight to explore a new place. She loves watching rom-coms, Disney movies, and trashy reality TV in her spare time, especially while cuddling with her cat.

​Find her at:
Website: leslieadame.com
Instagram/Threads/Substack/Bluesky: @leslieadame