E.S. McLeod (Ella McLeod)

E.S. McLeod, also known as Ella McLeod, is an author and podcaster. She has written two YA novels: Rapunzella, Or, Don’t Touch My Hair is a retelling of the Rapunzel story that explores themes of race, gender and coming of age. It was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and received rave reviews in Kirkus, the Irish Times, and the Guardian. Her second novel The Map That Led to You is a romance which interweaves pirate and Caribbean mermaid mythology, and was a Guardian Best Books Pick. Both were published by Scholastic in the UK and Yellow Jacket at Little Bee in the US.

In January 2026 Ella published her first picture book, Goldilocs, also with Scholastic. Her adult debut ANDROMEDA, was published by Transworld in May 2026. It is a Greek myth reimagining and gives a voice to mythology’s most famous damsel in distress – a powerful, heart wrenching tale that follows the canonically Black princess of Aethiopia as she is torn between forbidden love and the wrath of the gods.

Ella is a writer coach at The Novelry and also hosts the podcast Comfort Creatures on the LA based Maximum Fun network.