Isla Neal grew up in a small mountain town in Southern California. She has a rich history of engaging in diverse activities that range from cross-stitching to attempting to ski, often with the enticing thrill of minor accidents. Neal's childhood was filled with unique experiences such as participating in old-timey costume contests, embodying the quintessential grade-A nerd. An anecdote from her past includes a chance encounter where she might have glimpsed the rapper Ice-T in a limousine.

Neal's professional journey is equally eclectic, having found herself in roles as varied as a camp counselor, a burrito roller, a research lab technician, a nanny, and a children's book editor. Her current hobbies are delightfully quirky, encompassing a broad spectrum of interests. She enjoys observing competitive eating contests, engaging in competitive crossword tournaments, baking pies, bicycle riding, and upholding her status as a grade-A nerd.

Her educational pursuits led her to earn her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Teens at the New School in New York City, where she honed her writing skills and developed her literary craft.