Some years back, when Leslie Lang worked far afield from the writing world, an acquaintance and editor at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin read something she wrote and asked if she was interested in contributing an occasional article. She was interested. She was hooked.

For awhile she took freelance assignments here and there, until she  finally scraped up the courage to quit her job and launch an independent writing career. The day she started living the writer’s life, she says, was one of the most satisfying in her life so far (though nothing beats her daughter’s birth).

Since then, Leslie’s writing has been featured on the radio and in newpapers, magazines, books and literary journals and has been commissioned by businesses needing copywriting services. She also edits books.

Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in journalism coupled with a master’s degree in anthropology (specifically focused on Hawaiian and Pacific cultural anthropology). She is thrilled to have found a way to combine these strong interests professionally.

Twice her writing has taken first place in the Hawai`i Visitor and Convention Bureau’s “Keep It Hawai`i” award (print media division), and she has been awarded the “Excellence in Journalism” award for feature writing/long form from the Society of Professional Journalists, Hawai‘i chapter.

She grew up in California and returned to Hawai‘i as an adult. She lives and writes on beautiful, long-time family land where her Hawaiian great-great-great grandfather once grew the Hawaiian staple food kalo and pounded poi for the family. To Leslie’s delight, her husband  has gathered up and tends the descendants of that kalo, which had been growing wild ever since, and her great-great-great grandfather’s garden continues to feed his family. She loves stuff like that.

Leslie is the only member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors to live on the flanks of the volcano Mauna Kea.

You can reach Leslie at 808 964-1494, or email leslie@leslielang.com.