Ashleigh Austin's first book was inspired by her own collection of vintage postcards. As a Louisiana native now living in the Ozarks, she sought out cards that not only reminded her of home, but that also recorded local landmarks that have disappeared. "I am so grateful to all those early postcard photographers and publishers for having the foresight to capture pieces of history," she says. Ms. Austin was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her family later left the city, moving across Lake Ponchartrain to St. Tammany Parish when the author was nine years old. She graduated from Slidell High School and attended Southeastern Louisiana University as an English major. Ms. Austin continues to explore and celebrate her Southern heritage through her writing and through her historical and genealogical research. She is also an accomplished singer. Ashleigh Austin lives in Springfield, Missouri.