Picture a storyteller who weaves magic and emotion into young adult fiction—meet Lexa Hillyer! With her lyrical prose and knack for reimagining fairy tales, Hillyer has enchanted readers through novels like Proof of Forever and the Spindle Fire duology. A poet-turned-novelist, she blends her publishing expertise with a vibrant creative spark, crafting stories that linger like a favorite song.
From her Brooklyn home, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and a famously skinny orange tree, Hillyer’s journey as a writer and co-founder of Glasstown Entertainment is as captivating as her books. Let’s dive into the world of this award-winning author whose words dance between reality and dreams.
The Making of Lexa Hillyer
Lexa Hillyer’s path to authorship began with a love for words. Holding a BA in English from Vassar College and an MFA in Poetry from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine, she honed her craft early on. Her poetry collection, Acquainted with the Cold, snagged the 2012 Foreword Book of the Year Award, marking her as a literary talent. Before penning novels, Hillyer worked as an editor at HarperCollins and Penguin, sharpening her storytelling instincts. This insider knowledge led her to co-found Glasstown Entertainment with Lauren Oliver, a creative hub for books, film, and TV ideas.
Her publishing background gave her a unique edge, but it was her shy, poetic heart—once slipping anonymous poems into her high school lit mag—that fueled her leap into young adult fiction. Hillyer’s stories often explore love, loyalty, and self-discovery, reflecting her belief in the power of intuition and emotional truth.
Lexa Hillyer’s Unforgettable Stories
Hillyer’s novels are a blend of magic, mystery, and heartfelt emotion, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Leigh Bardugo. Her debut, Proof of Forever, is a time-travel tale about four friends reliving a pivotal summer, praised as “The Sisterhood of the (Time) Traveling Pants for a new generation” by Wendy Wunder. Its lyrical prose and themes of friendship and second chances make it a standout in contemporary YA.
The Spindle Fire duology, comprising Spindle Fire and Winter Glass, reimagines Sleeping Beauty with half-sisters Isabelle and Aurora. Isabelle, blind and fierce, and Aurora, voiceless yet dreamy, navigate a faerie-warped world. Critics like Jodi Lynn Anderson call it “absorbing” and “poetic,” noting Hillyer’s ability to craft vivid, magical realms. Her latest, Frozen Beauty, is a suspenseful mystery about three sisters, blending Little Women vibes with a chilling whodunit, showcasing her versatility.
Hillyer’s style is unmistakably poetic, with lush imagery and emotionally resonant characters. Her stories often tackle sisterhood, identity, and the blurred line between dreams and reality, wrapped in a fairy-tale glow that feels both timeless and fresh.
Why Lexa Hillyer Matters
Lexa Hillyer’s impact on young adult fiction lies in her ability to merge poetic grace with gripping narratives. Her reimagined fairy tales and emotionally rich contemporaries offer teens and adults alike a mirror for their own struggles and dreams. Through Glasstown Entertainment, she’s also nurturing new voices, shaping the future of storytelling across media.
Her work resonates because it’s authentic—Hillyer writes from a place of vulnerability, drawing on her own experiences as a shy poet and intuitive creator. By championing strong, complex heroines like Isabelle and Aurora, she’s carved a niche in YA that feels both magical and deeply human.
- Born: Exact date unavailable, but she’s a Brooklyn-based author.
- Key Works: Proof of Forever, Spindle Fire, Winter Glass, Frozen Beauty, Acquainted with the Cold.
- Awards: 2012 Foreword Book of the Year Award for Poetry, Melissa Lanitis Gregory Poetry Prize.
- Fun Fact: She’s a Master Jungian Life Coach, blending creativity with personal growth.
Snag Spindle Fire or Proof of Forever and dive into Lexa Hillyer’s enchanting blend of magic and heart!