Leslye Walton was born in the Pacific Northwest, a location that features prominently in both of her novels for young adults. Her debut, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, was published to critical acclaim in 2014, and was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize, as well as being named a William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist. Leslye lives in Seattle.