About Me

Author of Gothic, Coming-of-Age, Psychological Thriller and Paranormal Horror stories.

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My published books include: Swimming Middle River, White Knight Escort Service, Raising St. Elisabeth, You Don’t Know Who You Are Until You’ve Gone Too Far and Catawampus in Sweetgum County.

I was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and a PEN/Faulkner prize. Over 75 of my short stories have appeared in literary journals.

My stories explore journeys toward autonomy and the boundaries placed on the individual by society, family, and self. Themes of grief and isolation appear. Most of my work is featured in Literary and Young Adult genres.

I am an adjunct lecturer and certified online instructor at the University of Missouri – St. Louis English department. This is also where I earned my B.A. in English and my M.F.A. in Creative Writing. I have served as an editor of The Natural Bridge literary journal. I currently serve as a reader at The Mud Season Review.

What they are saying about me or my books

“Sackett reads as if Stephen King and Alice Munro had a child and Margaret Atwood were her fairy godmother. These tales of unfortunate events, trauma and grief with beams of hope stay with the reader forever.”

—
P.J. Bourke, Books Boys Podcast and Radio show

Mary Troy

You Don’t Know Who You Are Until You’ve Gone Too Far –
The characters in this collection go too far and put up with more than they should, but, almost without fail, each one gains some small understanding, some peace, and is able to move forward even if only by inches. It is that forward movement. which provides hope found in the collection.”
— Mary Troy, author of Swimming Hwy N, Beauties, Joe Baker is Dead, and
In the Sky Lord.

Elizabeth Ann Atkins

You Don’t Know Who You Are Until You’ve Gone Too Far –
Sackett traverses the depths and heights of the human experience, wrapping words around unspeakable acts, expressing emotions most prefer to ignore, and crafting provocative stories that inspire deep reflection. Leah’s powerful, engaging writing is cause for celebration for readers everywhere. —
Elizabeth Ann Atkins, CEO, Two Sisters Writing & Publishing

Lisa Lauter

Raising St. Elisabeth
– “What seems like a story of pioneer times quickly turns into a mystical tale that takes you through all the seven deadly sins as we watch the main character St. Elisabeth come of age. Her special gift stirs greed and envy in those around her. As characters are tempted and a good vs evil battle emerges the other sins surface. Symbols that seem virtuous are revealed to be a sign of evil. You root for St. Elisabeth to find her way. Engrossing to the end.”
— Lisa Lauter, Amazon Review

Meg Tuite

"Leah Sackett takes us into the close minded, judging world that surrounds and strangles whatever life is left of the narrator, Kitty, in her despondent, realistic tale, “A Point of Departure.” There seems to be no escape.”
— Meg Tuite, Fiction Editor Connotation Press [“A Point of Departure”]