Interview with Leslie Cox - WOW! Q4 Creative Nonfiction Essay Runner Up

Leslie Cox, a runner up in the Q4 Creative Nonfiction Essay contest for Ode to My Hands, is stopping by to tell us about the unexpected help she got with her writing from her grandmother, writing communities and some great memoirs to check out.

Prior to retiring from a career in health care administration in 2019, Leslie published articles and a guidebook for health care professionals, and then realized having become a published author, she could make the choice to write what she’s passionate about—her personal stories. Through her work, Leslie hopes to inspire readers by using her voice to speak her truth and maybe even make them smile. Her memoir is in editing phase, and she has a few more projects up her sleeve!

Leslie’s most recent work is published in Writer’s Digest Online, WOW! Women on Writing, two print anthologies, online literary journals and blogs. She enjoys continuous learning of writing craft by attending an abundance of workshops and events, online and in-person. Leslie serves on the volunteer leadership team of Phoenix Oasis Press, helping with community events and publishing of an annual anthology. When she is not reading or writing, you will find her enjoying nature, pets, and three grandchildren who are the loves of her life. 

Find Leslie’s writing here: 
Website: www.lesliesvoice.com
Instagram: @lesliecoxwrites
Facebook: Leslie Cox

WOW: Congratulations on being a runner up in the Q4 2025 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest for The Work of My Hands. It seems you were also a runner-up several years ago. How do you feel your writing has evolved in the five years since your first win?

Leslie: One word describes my writing life over the past five years—Growth! I finally have the confidence to call myself a “writer” which I thought had to be earned. Learning the writing craft will always be part of my life, whether through workshops and webinars, writers’ groups, or just reading wonderful writers whose books inspire me. 

My last Muffin interview mentioned that I would be focusing on completing a memoir in 2020. Well, that goal was a little ambitious, but the manuscript is finally complete and in the capable hands of an editor/WOW instructor.

WOW: How exciting! It's always encouraging to see a fellow writer's big project come together. I'd like to think our contest (or at least promising us a memoir in your interview) gave you a nudge. Do you have any advice for any of our readers out there who are on the fence about entering the WOW - or any - writing contests?

Leslie: Absolutely enter writing contests, whether you have been writing for a long time, or just beginning your journey. I admit I was fearful in the beginning—I suppose it was mostly fear of rejection or just getting my words out there for others to read. I have since entered many contests and submitted my personal essays to several literary journals. The rejections do get easier with time, and then when an acceptance shows up, seemingly out of nowhere, the feeling of success is worth all the work and worry.

WOW: The magic of good news in our inboxes! Can you tell us a little about what inspired you to pen an ode to your hands?

Leslie: Well, I’m glad you asked! I initially wrote this essay for a course taught by WOW’s own Kimberly Lee, “The Body in Writing.” In that class, I wrote not only an ode to my hands, but also to my gut, my heart, and my whole body. I spruced up “The Work of My Hands” and got the courage to share it aloud with a writers’ club. The members seemed to relate with it, so on a whim, I submitted it to the WOW contest!

WOW: And to think it began with a WOW class. When you aren't in classes what does your writing day look like?

Leslie: I don’t have specific writing habits, but my head is constantly full of words and lines I eventually put on paper. I can write pretty much anywhere, at any time of day or night. 

When I started my current project (historical fiction based on documents, letters and photos left by my grandmother when she died), I secretly asked her to help me write her story, and that night I wrote the entire first chapter in a dream. Detailed scenes were played out repeatedly—in Spanish! Her native language, except I was the one speaking. A few years ago, a similar experience happened when I dreamed about a specific memory from thirty years prior, woke up crying, and wrote it into my memoir.

WOW: What a powerful connection with your writing self. I dream scenes or snippets of writing which is why I always have a notepad by my bed. You're very active with a local writing community Phoenix Oasis Press. Can you tell us a little about what you do? 

Leslie: POP is a small group of writers who love bringing writing experiences to the Arizona community through workshops, a book club, and supporting local authors at events or via social media. 

We are in the process of publishing our third anthology around the theme of “curiosity.” My role was to receive online submissions via Submittable to ensure all guidelines were met before sending poems or essays on to the review team. Once the final pieces were selected, my role was copyediting. 

POP leaders volunteer our time and energy simply because connecting with other writers is what we love to do!

WOW: Do you feel it is important for writers to find a community like Phoenix Oasis Press or WOW? Do you feel your volunteer work helps you with your own writing?

Leslie: In 2023, I wrote a blog for POP entitled, “How Giving Away Can Give You Back”—Generosity is key when it comes to building a writing circle. Writing can feel lonely at times, so having a community of friends who share their passion for writing is a gift that has not only improved my writing, but my life!

WOW: After retiring from a career that included writing for the healthcare industry, you've written everything from children's books to memoirs to essays to interviews. Can you tell us about a project?

Leslie: Well, this is a loaded question! I have several projects up my sleeve—at least two children’s picture books, a general nonfiction book, and the historical fiction novel I mentioned above. That is the project I’m most excited about because my grandmother had such an interesting life, as she would tell me—filled with intrigue, hardship, and love of family. I’m hoping she’ll help me (again from beyond), as I begin chapter two!

WOW: We're at the tail end of Nonfiction November Month. Do you have any nonfiction titles to recommend?

Leslie: Goodness, there are SO many great ones! I have a whole library of General Nonfiction books, but Memoir is my favorite genre, and my TBR list is stacked tall! This year, those I had a hard time putting down included: Heavy (Kiese Laymon), Solito (Javier Zamora), The Distance Between Us (Reyna Grande), This Story Will Change: After the Happily Ever After (Elizabeth Crane), and You Could Make This Place Beautiful (Maggie Smith). That last one I’ve read a couple of times.

WOW: Your enthusiasm for writing just can't be contained. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Leslie: Thank you for this opportunity to interview for The Muffin!