Ashley Herring Blake

Ashley Herring Blake is an American author specializing in children's and young adult fiction. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, she has established herself as a significant voice in LGBTQ+ literature for young readers, drawing from her own experiences as a bisexual writer. Blake's career path included work as a bookseller, teacher, and ABA therapist before focusing on writing. She holds a Master's Degree in Teaching from Berry College, bringing her educational background into her understanding of young readers' needs and experiences. Her 2018 middle-grade novel "Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World" earned the Stonewall Honor Book Award, tackling themes of sexual identity and natural disaster through the story of a 12-year-old protagonist. Her young adult novel "Girl Made of Stars" was recognized as a Lambda Literary Award finalist, addressing complex themes of sexual assault and family loyalty through the perspective of a bisexual teen. Blake's bibliography spans both middle-grade and young adult categories, including works such as "Suffer Love," "How to Make a Wish," and "The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James." Her writing consistently explores themes of identity, sexuality, and coming-of-age experiences.

Readers praise Blake's honest portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and complex emotional relationships. Her YA novels resonate with readers who see themselves represented in her stories of self-discovery and first love. Readers highlight: - Authentic portrayal of questioning sexuality and gender identity - Complex family dynamics - Strong character development - Writing style that captures teen voices Common criticisms: - Some find the pacing too slow - Adult content in YA books concerns some parents - Multiple storylines can feel overwhelming Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Delilah Green Doesn't Care: 4.1/5 (47,000+ ratings) - Girl Made of Stars: 4.3/5 (12,000+ ratings) - How to Heal a Gryphon: 4.4/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.5/5 across titles Reader quote: "Blake captures the messiness of figuring out who you are while dealing with family expectations." - Goodreads reviewer

Girl Made of Stars A young adult novel following Mara as she grapples with accusations of sexual assault against her twin brother Owen, forcing her to confront difficult truths about family loyalty and belief.

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea A middle-grade story about a girl processing grief and learning to open her heart again after moving to a small Maine town with her mom and sister.

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World When a tornado destroys 12-year-old Ivy's home, she must navigate both the loss of her private notebook containing drawings of girls holding hands and her growing feelings for another girl.

How to Make a Wish A young adult novel about Grace, a talented pianist living with her unpredictable mother, who finds herself falling for Eva, a girl dealing with her own recent loss.

The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James A middle-grade novel following 12-year-old Sunny as she navigates life after a heart transplant, including her first kiss and questions about her identity.

Suffer Love A young adult romance depicting two teens, Hadley and Sam, whose lives become intertwined despite a complicated history between their parents.

Nina LaCour writes contemporary young adult fiction centered on LGBTQ+ characters navigating relationships and self-discovery. Her books deal with similar themes to Blake's work, including grief, identity, and first love, particularly in "We Are Okay" and "Everything Leads to You."

Becky Albertalli creates coming-of-age stories featuring LGBTQ+ teens discovering their identities while dealing with family dynamics and school life. Her work shares Blake's focus on authentic representation and complex emotional journeys, seen in "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" and "Leah on the Offbeat."

Bill Konigsberg writes YA fiction exploring LGBTQ+ themes through multiple perspectives and challenging situations. His books tackle similar subject matter to Blake's, addressing mental health, family relationships, and self-acceptance in titles like "The Music of What Happens" and "Openly Straight."

Robin Talley focuses on LGBTQ+ characters in both contemporary and historical YA settings. Her work parallels Blake's exploration of complex social issues and identity formation, demonstrated in books like "Lies We Tell Ourselves" and "What We Left Behind."

Adam Silvera creates stories that blend contemporary LGBTQ+ themes with elements of magical realism and science fiction. His books share Blake's emotional depth and exploration of identity, particularly in "They Both Die at the End" and "More Happy Than Not."