Leslie Johnson Piotrowski
Debut Picture Book Author
Leslie Johnson Piotrowski is a biracial author with a passion for representation and sharing her own heritage through literature. She started writing stories as a child. In high school, she wrote guitar songs and played at open mic nights around the Chicago area. Upon graduating with a BA in English from Bennington College, she pursued a career in public relations, working in the fields of travel, art, public health and education.
She also served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, where she lived in the Philippines for two years. Since then she has traveled to 30 countries.
Leslie recently rediscovered her passion for fiction writing, particularly writing picture books, and feels fortunate that she is able to spend hours a day writing.
When she is not at her computer, she is cooking international meals, practicing Zumba, walking in the forest preserves or reading a good book. She lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband.
Recognition:
The Northbound Train is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard title.
The manuscript Escape from the Cotton Fields was the 2025 SCBWI-Illinois Many Voices contest winner.
Leslie Johnson Piotrowski 