Hooton, Leslie: - Leslie Hooton is the author of three novels. Her debut novel, Before Anyone Else, garnered a Zibby nomination. Leslie's second novel, The Secret of Rainy Days, was a book club favorite. Her third novel, After Everyone Else, the sequel to Before Everyone Else, will be published June 28th. Kevin Wilson, Jane Rosen, Patti Callahan, Lisa Barr, and other wonderful writers have offered praise for Leslie's novels. She has had essays published in "Moms Don't Have Time to Grieve," and she has an upcoming essay in Newsweek. Leslie attended The Sewanee Writers Conference for many years. Leslie has been a guest on numerous podcasts and her talks are engaging and thought-provoking.

Leslie has often said some people have a stroke of luck, and she had one at birth. Having limited use of her right side and numerous surgeries allowed her to be a keen observer of human behavior. She refers to her body as her "bargain basement body" and doctors as the "men in white coats" because she has had a lifelong relationship with them. She uses dictation for each of her novels and often jokes "I haven't typed a single word." She brings this unique perspective to her writing with humor and heart.