Today I’m excited to welcome Leslie Adame back to Cynsations. Last fall I chatted with Leslie and other MG Escapades Authors about their debut experience. In this interview, Leslie reflects on current events, imposter syndrome and tackling revision notes. Her new book, Chloe Vega and the Missing Unseen, releases from HarperCollins on Oct. 6, 2026.
When you visited Cynsations back in 2025, you mentioned that you had already finished writing Chloe Vega and the Missing Unseen. Now, a book addressing fears related to U.S. immigration policy seems even more timely. When you started writing Chloe’s story back in 2018, did you realize your fantasy book would so strongly mirror real issues?
Oh gosh, it’s been tough, but I’m not entirely surprised. Fears about America’s immigration policy have always existed in my community, even before the events that transpired in 2025, though in different ways. People would be detained and separated from their families, but no media outlet would talk about it. I had peers choose not to pursue higher education at all out of fear of applying for financial aid and having their names documented somewhere. Immigration has been an issue in my community for years, but this is the first time since 2018 it’s been everywhere.
In a way, this series coming out now feels predestined, and it’s so strange and often uncomfortable. I’ve had many moments when I sat and thought, ‘Do readers even want this book right now?’
But a few months ago, at a school visit, a parent told me this book has been a shining light for a young reader whose father is currently detained. It’s making the reader feel like her father is also a hero, like Chloe’s parents in the book, and that no matter what happens to him, it doesn’t define who he is. I was holding back tears just listening to her, because that’s exactly why I wrote it. The media constantly paints a specific picture of immigrants . My hope is that readers get a more realistic and better picture of immigrants through the lens of a 12-year-old character going through those experiences.
What do you hope young readers will take away from the book?
There was a point in my author career where I genuinely thought Chloe Vega wouldn’t sell. I was afraid publishers wouldn’t be interested in a book that showcases the immigration issue so blatantly. But it sold, and the second book in the series is about to come out.
I hope young readers, especially those who come from marginalized backgrounds, read it and decide they want to tell their own stories. There’s room on our shelves for more diverse stories, and if this series manages to inspire a young writer to tell their own story, that’s a win for me.
Chloe also deals with imposter syndrome, a feeling many writers also struggle with. What are your strategies for dealing with imposter syndrome?
As a first-gen Latina, I used to struggle with this a lot, especially while I was pursuing higher education at UCLA and in the early days of my corporate career.
There have been so many instances when I’ve been the only Latina in a room with other professionals, and I quickly had to learn to get comfortable if I didn’t want my voice to be silenced. I think what helps me is remembering that I’m not just here representing myself, but I’m also representing the people who came before me and made many sacrifices for me to be here, and the people who will come after me.
The stakes are too high for me to let my imposter syndrome overcome me. It’s probably not the healthiest mentality, but it has helped me find the bravery to walk into those big, scary rooms or publish those big, fancy books.
How would you describe your collaboration with your editor? Was there an editorial moment that helped you see your manuscript or your own voice more clearly?
My editor and I have a very collaborative relationship, but I also love that when she gives me feedback, she gives me space to sit with it.
I’m like a bear going into hibernation when it comes to drafting or working on revisions. I like to process my art in solitude, and I really appreciate how thorough her notes are, because it allows me to retreat to my little metaphorical den to come up with solutions and maybe peek out once or twice to ask her for clarification on something.
Both my editor (and my agent) have made me a much better action scene writer, which was something I used to struggle with. Readers become stunned when I tell them this, because the Chloe Vega series is packed with action scenes, but it’s true!
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Don’t give up, especially when it gets hard. It’s so easy to get disillusioned in the face of rejection, and that doesn’t end after your first book sells. You will be told no many times, but learning to pivot sooner rather than later will do wonders for your career!
I recommend leaning on your support system when these things happen and keeping a folder of positive moments to reference when it gets super hard.
The one thing I truly believe will get you through those sticky moments, though, is remembering your why! Why do you want to be an author? What kind of stories are you looking to tell? Once you hone in on that, it will carry you through the hardest moments of your career.
What are you working on next? Will there be more Chloe Vega books?
I’m working on some YA projects, and I can’t say much about them other than that I’m having a really good time writing them! As for more Chloe Vega books, there could be more if readers want them. I think the story could use two more books to give her the ending I want, and the best way for readers to show they want that as well is to order and tell all your friends about it!
Cynsational Notes
Leslie Adame is a first-generation Mexican American and graduate of UCLA with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Film, Television, and Digital Media. She’s always enjoyed giving back and telling stories about characters not often found in books or films. Leslie grew up in the Inland Empire, specifically Ontario, California.
When she’s not writing, you can find Leslie scanning the aisles of your local bookstore, lovingly pestering her family, and catching a flight to explore a new place. She loves watching rom-coms, Disney movies, and trashy reality TV in her spare time, especially while cuddling with her cat.
Gayleen Rabakukk holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and recently completed a Master’s in Library Science at the University of North Texas. She also has an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has published numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and two regional interest books for adults. She is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.
She’s a Librarian at the Lago Vista Public Library, where she leads a book club for young readers. She also teaches creative writing workshops and loves inspiring curiosity in young readers through stories of hope and adventure. Follow her on Instagram and Bluesky.