So let me introduce myself...

I’m an author of two YA novels published by Penguin Canada. The first one is called As She Grows. The second, just published this June, is called Something Wicked.  People have referred to my novels as being ‘page turners'. People have also referred to them as ‘gritty’ or ‘dark’ or ‘disturbing’. I’d agree, my novels are not a  ‘happy’ read. In fact, they can be quite shocking. If you’re looking for boy kisses-girl-and-girl-blushes fiction, this is not it! Also these books are not for teens under 14 as they deal with some really serious issues like meaningless sex, drugs, cutting, assault, crime, drug overdose, etc. 

As well as being a writer, I teach English and math to at-risk youth in a special substance abuse program for teens. Obviously, this is where I became familiar with the sort of characters I write about, though all my writing is fictional. None of it is based directly on anyone I’ve met.  

In a nutshell. My most recent novel, Something Wicked, is about a 16 year old girl named Melissa who (again) is living with a not-so-great role model. Her mother pretty much acts like a teenager and Melissa is left to parent her parent. Melissa deals with all sorts of things mostly related to undiagnosed depression: lots of meaningless sex, smoking pot, etc. In the beginning of the book she gets a ‘break and entry’ charge and has 3 months to turn her life around to avoid going to jail. The book is about her attempt to do this. 

I hope you can check out my books!  You can always see more on my website www.lesleyannecowan.com

Thanks so much for taking the time to read a little bit about me and my story; I hope you like it! You can also buy my books at Canadian book stores and at Amazon (there's a link over there ----------->>>>>>)