Lang Leav facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lang Leav
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| Born | 8 September 1980 |
| Occupation | Poet, novelist, author |
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Notable work
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Lullabies |
| Spouse(s) | Michael Faudet |
Lang Leav (born September 8, 1980) is a famous Australian writer. She is known for her beautiful poetry and novels. Her books have become very popular around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Lang Leav was born on September 8, 1980. Her parents were seeking safety from the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. This meant Lang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. She is the youngest of three children.
In 1981, when Lang was very young, her family moved to Australia. They settled in a town called Cabramatta in Sydney. Her mother worked as a seamstress, making clothes. Her father was an acupuncturist, a type of traditional healer.
Lang loved literature from a young age. She would write her poems into books she made herself. Then, she would share these books with her friends at school.
Education and Creative Path
Lang Leav went to the College of Fine Arts in Sydney. This was a big decision. Her community thought that art might not be a good way to earn money. But Lang really wanted to study art and writing, so she kept going.
For her college project, she wrote about "Cosplaying Lolita." This work helped her win a special award called the Churchill Fellowship Award. This award helps people travel and learn more about their chosen field.
Becoming a Bestselling Author
Before becoming a famous writer, Lang Leav started a fashion brand called Akina. It was quite popular and even won her an award.
In 2012, Lang began sharing her poems online on a website called Tumblr. Many people started to follow her work. In 2013, she published her first book of poetry and stories. It was called Love and Misadventure. This book became a surprise hit! It got the attention of publishing agents in New York.
Lang then signed a deal with a big publisher, Andrews McMeel. Her book quickly became a bestseller on Amazon. The next year, she released Lullabies. This book won the Goodreads Choice Award for Poetry. Many people say Lang Leav helped make poetry popular again.
Lang has written several other poetry books. These include Memories (2015), The Universe of Us (2017), Sea of Strangers (2018), and Love Looks Pretty on You (2018). All of these books were international bestsellers. They were also nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Poetry.
Her first novel for young adults (YA) was called Sad Girls. It became a #1 bestseller in some places. People had different opinions about it. Some thought it was very powerful. Others felt it needed more depth.
Lang's second YA novel, Poemsia, was also a bestseller. It received mostly good reviews. One magazine said Lang writes very well from the main character's point of view. It also gave readers a peek into the world of new poetry.
Lang's art degree helped her illustrate many of her own books. These include Love & Misadventure, Lullabies, Memories, and The Universe of Us.
She has also been a guest speaker at many international writers' festivals. These include the Sydney Writers Festival and the Auckland Writers Festival.
In 2019, a company bought the rights to make audio versions of her novel Poemsia and some of her poetry books. These included The Universe of Us, Sea of Strangers, and Love Looks Pretty on You.
The introduction to Lang's poetry book September Love was written by actress Lili Reinhart.
Lang's first novel for adults, Others Were Emeralds, was also highly praised. It is based on her family's immigrant background. Critics called it a "heartrending novel" and praised its beautiful writing.
Writing Style and Inspiration
Lang Leav mainly writes in rhyme, verse, and prose poetry. Her poems often feel like she is sharing her personal thoughts and feelings. Her writing is easy to understand. This is one reason why so many people around the world enjoy her work.
Lang says that the poet Emily Dickinson is her biggest inspiration. She admires how Dickinson could show strong emotions in short poems. She also looks up to Robert Frost. She likes how Frost used everyday language in his poems. Themes like nature, love, death, and time often appear in both Frost's and Leav's poetry.
Lang has explained that her writing style comes from her experience. She often had to translate for her immigrant parents. She learned that language needs to be clear so that nothing gets lost.
Some people connect Lang Leav to the Instapoetry movement. This is a style of poetry shared on social media. While some critics don't like Instapoetry, others say Lang's work is more like classical poets.
See also
- Instapoetry
