I was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago, Illinois with my parents and younger brother. Throughout my childhood, I was constantly reading and writing stories, completing a 200 page novel at age fourteen. My brother would often ask me to write stories and poems for his high-school English classes. He received A’s on these assignments and while the works were not published, the joy and excitement of creating them resulted in a deep love of writing.
I attended Southern Illinois University (SIU) with the desire to become a creative writer. Plans changed after becoming pregnant and I decided to major in a career that would guarantee a paycheck (although a small one); social work.
After graduating from SIU in 1991, I returned to Chicago with my three-year-old daughter and worked in the addictions field for ten years. During that time, I also married my best-friend, Sam.
In 2001, I graduated from the University of Chicago and received a Masters degree in Social Service Administration. I took a position as a Title One Social Work at a Chicago Public School on the Southwest side. For ten years I used my two-three hour, daily commute to create characters, scenes and dialogue in my head. I finally had enough. After work one night, I wrote a children’s picture book, completing it in twenty minutes—then revising it for two years. I was now on the path to hone my craft and become published. Since then, I have published three picture books, an adult novel, a few short stories and I have many more stories in me!
As a lifelong Chicagoan, I share my life with my wonderful husband, three adult children, and three delightful grandchildren. I lovingly cared for my mother, who had dementia, until her passing in September 2025. In my spare time, you’ll find me exploring new places, cheering loudly for Da Chicago Bears, or dancing with childhood friends to infectious ’80s music.
Interviews
Kila Goodwin and Imari Schaeffer interview author Lisa Maggiore.
This video was conducted by Chicago’s Walter Payton College Prep H.S. student’s. They interviewed me about my picture book: Ava the Monster Slayer: A Warrior Who Wears Glasses because of the brave female character.
