Melissa De la Cruz
Melissa De la Cruz is a bestselling author known for her young adult novels and her role in organizing major book festivals.
Young Adult Writer
September 7, 1971
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Melissa De la Cruz, a Filipino-American author, is renowned for her young adult novels, including the Blue Bloods series, the Witches of East End series, and the Descendants series. She has also written the Beauchamp Family series and the Fresh off the Boat memoir, a semi-autobiographical work. De la Cruz has achieved New York Times and USA Today best-selling status, with her books topping bestseller lists and being published in over twenty countries. In addition to her writing career, she has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and appeared on various television shows.
De la Cruz is also the co-director of YALLFEST and the co-founder of YALLWEST, the two largest and most vibrant young adult book festivals in the United States. She is married to writer Michael Johnston, with whom she co-wrote the Heart of Dread series. They live with their daughter in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, California.
