Picture an American storyteller who swapped clown shoes for a pen, crafting gritty young adult tales that grip your heart—meet Ash Parsons! This Alabama-based author, with a knack for diving into the messy truths of adolescence, burst onto the scene with her debut novel, Still Waters, a raw, powerful story that’s equal parts heart-wrenching and hopeful. From her unique start at clown college to her advocacy for youth, Parsons weaves real-world struggles into stories that resonate with teens and adults alike.
With a PEN America Literary Award and recognition from the Alabama State Council of the Arts, Parsons has carved a niche in young adult literature, blending suspense, emotion, and vivid characters. Her work isn’t just about surviving tough times—it’s about finding strength in the chaos. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore how this one-of-a-kind author became a voice for the underdog.
The Making of Ash Parsons
Ash Parsons’s journey to authorship is as colorful as her stories. A graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, she mastered the art of performance before trading it for the classroom. Teaching English in rural Alabama, Parsons worked with middle and high school students facing daunting challenges, from poverty to abuse. These experiences shaped her storytelling, grounding her work in gritty realism. Her time as a youth advocate further fueled her passion for giving voice to those often unheard, inspiring her to write novels that tackle tough issues with empathy and courage.
Beyond the classroom, Parsons taught creative writing through Troy University’s ACCESS program and media studies at Auburn University. She even stumbled through a zombie apocalypse as an extra on The Walking Dead, proving her knack for embracing the unexpected. Living in Alabama with her family, she channels her diverse background into stories that feel both personal and universal.
Ash Parsons’s Unforgettable Stories
Parsons’s debut, Still Waters (2015), is a gut-punch of a novel that follows high school senior Jason, a teen hardened by an abusive father but desperate to protect his younger sister. Critics praised its raw intensity and complex moral questions, comparing it to The Outsiders for its unflinching look at survival. The novel’s tight plotting and stark narrative earned it a Junior Library Guild Selection and a spot on the Texas Library Association’s Tayshas List.
Her sophomore novel, The Falling Between Us (2018, also published as Holding On to You), shifts gears to explore the cost of fame. It follows 15-year-old Joshua Blackbird, a teen pop star who vanishes after skyrocketing to stardom. Through the eyes of his girlfriend Roxanne, Parsons examines love, loss, and the pressures of celebrity with a bittersweet touch. Other works, like Girls Save the World in This One (2020), inject humor into a zombie-fueled adventure, while You’re So Dead (2021) delivers a comic thriller about friends unraveling a mystery at a deadly festival. Parsons’s style—blending suspense, emotional depth, and sharp dialogue—makes her books impossible to put down.
Whether she’s tackling domestic violence, fame’s dark side, or apocalyptic chaos, Parsons excels at crafting flawed, relatable characters who face impossible choices. Her themes of resilience and identity resonate deeply with young adult readers, offering both escape and reflection.
Why Ash Parsons Matters
Ash Parsons’s impact lies in her ability to shine a light on the struggles of youth, particularly those in marginalized or challenging circumstances. Her work as a youth advocate informs her storytelling, making her novels more than just entertainment—they’re a call to empathy. By addressing issues like abuse and societal pressure with nuance, she gives teens a mirror to see their own strength. Awards like the PEN America Phyllis Naylor Fellowship and her Alabama Literary Arts Fellowship underscore her literary prowess, but it’s her connection with readers that truly defines her legacy.
Parsons’s versatility, from gritty thrillers to comedic mysteries, keeps her work fresh and accessible. She’s a storyteller who proves that even the toughest stories can spark hope, making her a vital voice in young adult literature.
- Key Works: Still Waters, The Falling Between Us, Girls Save the World in This One, You’re So Dead
- Awards: PEN America Phyllis Naylor Fellowship, Alabama State Council of the Arts Literary Arts Fellow
- Fun Fact: She played a zombie on The Walking Dead!
Snag Still Waters or Girls Save the World in This One and dive into Ash Parsons’s thrilling, heartfelt world of young adult fiction!