Lesley Clinton is a poet, essayist, and educator whose writing explores place, memory, spiritual longing, and the sacramental possibilities of ordinary life. Her chapbook, Calling the Garden from the Grave (Finishing Line Press), placed second among books of verse in the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. She was also runner-up for the 2024 St. Austin Review Prize in Poetry. She co-edited The Living Fire: Contemporary Catholic Writers for the Classroom (Wiseblood Books). Her poetry and criticism have appeared in America, Christianity & Literature, Dappled Things, The Windhover, Mezzo Cammin, Reformed Journal, THINK, Presence, Modern Age, Solum Journal, and other publications. She has done freelance content editing for Paraclete Press, Wiseblood Books, and others.
Clinton holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of St. Thomas and an MA in Teaching. An English teacher and instructional coach at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, she received the school’s 2025 Magis Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her nonprofit leadership includes serving on the board of Catholic Literary Arts. She leads writing workshops, presents at literary conferences, and lives in the Houston area.