Lydia Sutton Schleicher is a storyteller who explores the turning points of life across multiple genres. From the contemporary YA lens of her debut, The Long December, to contemporary women’s fiction and suspense, her work delves into the “firsts,” “lasts,” and the secrets hidden within small-town life.

A lifelong “reading junkie,” Lydia’s fascination with books began early; she famously refused to leave the bathtub until she heard The Cat in the Hat one more time. That passion followed her through a nomadic life that took her from Northern Virginia to Alabama, Kansas, and Texas, before she finally settled in the suburbs of Wisconsin. Along the way, her experiences as an Army officer and a library clerk provided a unique perspective on the discipline of writing and the enduring power of a well-told story.

Lydia lives near Milwaukee with her husband, Rob, and their two dogs, Cleo and Sadie. While her oldest child has fully launched in Alabama, her home remains a frequent home base for her younger two as they navigate grad school and post-college transitions. When she isn’t in “editing hell” or mapping out the next mystery in her fictional town of Springfield, she can be found enjoying a local craft beer or cheering on the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and the Green Bay Packers.