About

Neesha Meminger was born in Punjab, India, grew up in Toronto, Canada, and lived in New York City for 25 years. She currently divides her time between Toronto and NYC.

Neesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Film and Media Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), and a Master's degree in Creative Writing from The New School For Social Research in New York City.

Her independent films have screened at international film festivals, she has taught literature and creative writing courses to undergraduate students in New York City and Toronto, served as a board member for many arts and cultural organizations, and counseled women and youth in crisis.

SHINE, COCONUT MOON, her first novel, made the Smithsonian's Notable Books for Children list and was selected as one of the Top 100 Books of 2009 by the New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age. The novel was also nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association as well as the online CYBILS award.

Neesha's second novel, JAZZ IN LOVE, released to rave reviews from online bloggers and industry professionals. It was nominated for a CYBILS award and was picked as a top YA selection by the Pennsylvania School Librarians' Association, as well as Bookslut's Recommended Summer Reading List.

INTO THE WISE DARK, a time-travel fantasy, was released in 2012. The Canadian Children's Book News had this to say: "Meminger’s third novel, Into the Wise Dark, is rich in languid tones and emotional fragility, particularly when she’s describing Pammi’s connection to Zanum and her boyfriend Dhan. Indeed, it is one of the best sex scenes I’ve read in a long time, describing the passion, fear and all-encompassing joy of first love, without the clichés... [T]he novel’s lyrical rhythms give the reader a sense of history, ancient Goddess spirituality and the emotional turmoil of Pammi’s experience. Inspired by South Asian mysticism and history, teens will appreciate this rich tapestry of experience that shows the multicultural reality of our modern world."

WHAT GIRLS KNOW, a memoir in free verse and poetry, is Neesha's fourth book, and she is currently working on her fifth novel.