Alicia Ranee Gaston’s first “book” was made from loose-leaf paper, cardboard, and aluminum foil. As you might have guessed, she was in elementary school at the time and that was when she first realized she wanted to be a writer.   

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Alicia grew up in Hampton Roads, Virginia where she spent her childhood playing outdoor games, attending church, spending time with her extended family, singing, and exploring beaches, parks, softball fields and basketball courts across Virginia with her mother and two sisters. She had a passion for storytelling from a very early age, participating in young author programs in elementary school, writing for her high school journalism club, becoming a member of the National Quill and Scroll Society, and acting in numerous plays. 

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Alicia's stories are inspired by her own personal experiences: friendships, work, love, and general life events. She hopes her young readers connect with her book’s characters and the awkward situations they encounter, and that they recognize the importance of virtue and decency. 

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When she isn’t writing middle-grade books highlighting the gawkiness of adolescence and the significance of character values, Alicia likes spending time with her family, watching movies, doing arts and crafts, reading, cooking, listening to music and working on her non-profit, Maximizing Character, a youth organization where she is Founder and Executive Director. 

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Alicia is a behavioral health professional specializing in mental health case management, homeless outreach, youth behavioral counseling and intellectual and developmental service provision. She lives in Hampton Roads, Virginia with her husband and has two adult children who have all been encouraging supporters in her writing venture. The Baldwin Terrace Kids: Sticky Situations is her debut children’s book.