Ellen W. Leroe grew up writing fairy tales in northern New Jersey. After graduating from Elmira College, in New York State, she worked as a fashion buyer. But she soon returned to her original love, writing. Ellen moved to San Francisco and began working on novels while working at various administrative and editorial positions. When her first Young Adult novel was published in 1983, she became a full-time writer. Thirty of her children’s books have been published since then, and Ellen has also created a greeting card line, won poetry awards, and lent song lyrics to a jazz CD. Writing continues to be her passion and chief form of entertainment. She lives in San Francisco.