Ella McLeod (writer)

Ella McLeod
McLeod at the 2026 MCM London Comic Con
Born
Ella Sade McLeod

(1996-03-16) 16 March 1996
Other names
  • E.S. McLeod
  • Ella McLeod
Alma materUniversity of Warwick
Years active2017–present

Ella Sade McLeod (born 16 March 1996) is an English writer and podcaster. In addition to young adult (YA) and children's fiction, she writes adult fiction under the name E.S. McLeod.

Early life

McLeod grew up in Forest Hill, South London.[1] Her grandmother arrived in England from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation, settling in Clapham.[2] McLeod earned a scholarship to attend Streatham and Clapham High School.[3] She graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in English literature and theatre studies. During her time at Warwick, McLeod became involved in slam poetry.[4]

Career

At the start of 2022, McLeod signed a three-book deal with Scholastic UK,[5] through which she published her debut young adult (YA) novel Rapunzella, or, Don't Touch My Hair later that year.[6] The novel combines a London teenager's coming-of-age story with her Rapunzel-esque fairytale dreams.[7][8] Rapunzella, or, Don't Touch My Hair was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award.[9][10] Also in 2022, McLeod began hosting the podcast Comfort Creatures with Alexis B Preston.[11][12]

McLeod's second YA novel The Map That Led to You was published in 2024.[13] This was followed by the picture book Goldilocs in 2025, illustrated by Rochelle Falconer.[14]

It was announced in 2024 that McLeod would publish her debut adult novel Andromeda, a Greek myth retelling, under the name E.S. McLeod via Transworld in 2026.[15][16]

Personal life

McLeod is queer.[17]

Bibliography

Adult novels

  • Andromeda (2026)

YA novels

  • Rapunzella, or, Don't Touch My Hair (2022)
  • The Map That Led to You (2024)

Children's books

  • Goldilocs (2025)

References

  1. ↑ "News Shopper's Young Reporter winners celebrated". News Shopper. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  2. ↑ McLeod, Ella (5 September 2022). "I have been called a coconut more times than I can count. It is painful, but I understand it". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "Inspiring the Next Generation: International Women's Day Talks at SCHS". Streatham and Clapham High School. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  4. ↑ Hannah Y (15 June 2017). "Slam poetry: the voice of the next generation". The Boar. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "Scholastic scoops 'genre defying' YA debut from McLeod". The Bookseller. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  6. ↑ Tacye (10 July 2022). "Ella McLeod On Forcing Readers To Radically Imagine The Protagonist In Rapunzella, Or Don't Touch My Hair". United by Pop. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  7. ↑ Jeffreys, Kaitlin. "Rapunzella, Or, Don't Touch My Hair by Ella McLeod". Voice. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  8. ↑ Russell Williams, Imogen (26 August 2022). "Children's and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "2023 Branford Boase Award Longlist". Locus. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  10. ↑ "Inspirational debut novelist visits Walton Academy on World Book Day". Walton Academy. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  11. ↑ "Ella McLeod, Host". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Gerneck, Sophie (17 March 2025). "5 Authors Reimagining Classic Folktales Through Beautiful Retellings". Bookstr. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  13. ↑ Foster, Ann (30 April 2024). "Author Interview: Ella McLeod (The Map that Led to You)". Vulgar History. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  14. ↑ McGonigle, Sue (18 January 2026). "Goldilocs". Books for Keeps. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Transworld buys 'electric reclaiming' of Andromeda by E S McLeod". The Bookseller. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  16. ↑ "Book Review: 'Andromeda' by E.S. McLeod". Nonchalant. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  17. ↑ McLeod, Ella (1 July 2024). "Is it really just a "girl crush"?". Diva. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
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