Leaving Cleveland: A Memoir
In the midst of difficult circumstances, a young girl growing up neglected in a dysfunctional family inadvertently embarks on a spiritual journey after discovering a friend within who helps her learn to trust her perspective.
Leaving Cleveland is a memoir about examining the toxic voices that so many of us internalized from our families of origin and learning to choose for ourselves which messages are healthy, and which are not.
“Leaving Cleveland is a fascinating and surprisingly humorous tale of self discovery set amid an upbringing framed by neglect and psychological abuse. A poignant coming-of-age memoir that diligently explores the effects of toxic familial relationships and the path to spirituality, Kane's story is consistently gripping and ultimately rewarding.
The text is articulately crafted with wit, intelligence and a large dose of brutal honesty. Her writing style is simple, concise and effective, brilliantly evoking the brutal effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family with grace, compassion and razor sharp humor.
Undoubtedly a cathartic writing experience for Kane, the book will likely strike a chord with others who have faced similar abusive childhood experiences.
Jessica Laurel Kane is an inspiring narrator, bravely exploring her childhood years of abuse with wit and evocative detail. The description of her family members and their interpersonal relationships are presented with a simple, raw honesty that is brutally effective.
A brave and honest memoir.”
— The BookLife Prize
“A revelation. More than a coming-of-age story, with humor and beautiful detail, Leaving Cleveland describes how a smart, creative and strong-willed young girl found a path to survive (and even thrive) despite parental neglect, psychological abuse and being raised in a suburban wasteland. It is a horror story with a happy ending that leaves the reader in awe of its plucky heroine.”
—Jim Stark, independent film producer and scriptwriter
“Jessica Laurel Kane's LEAVING CLEVELAND is a story of growing up as the daughter of a singer, wishing to be released from isolation, hoping “to finally connect to something real.” At the same time, it is about grit, resilience, an imaginary friend, and approaching the everyday with absurdity—a stance to fend off aggression, indifference, and disappointment. I laughed unexpectedly, often, even at its darkest moments. Its most remarkable gift is to make that laughter feel like grace.”
—Paul Lisicky, author of SONG SO WILD AND BLUE: A LIFE WITH THE MUSIC OF JONI MITCHELL
“Like all the best memoirs, Jessica Laurel Kane’s Leaving Cleveland operates on multiple levels. It presents a factual chronology told in a straightforward style: an early childhood of comfort and safety that abruptly shifts to chaos when Kane’s mother leaves suburban housewifedom to search for her purpose—only to struggle, largely unsupported. This upheaval leads to years of both intense mother-daughter bonding and significant neglect, setting the stage for school bullying, emotional abuse from various stepmothers, loneliness, emancipation, inappropriate relationships, and more.
On a parallel track, the memoir explores Kane’s spiritual development. Drawing from her journals, she shares insights into her ethereal and psychological connection with an entity she calls Delroy. Delroy, a source of profound wisdom and compassion, encourages Kane to cultivate empathy for herself and others, helping her to uncover her true essence and avoid seeking “specialness” in destructive ways. (Readers who have their own version of “Delroy” will recognize a kindred spirit.) This voice of encouragement provides loving but unsentimental guidance during her darkest times, leading her through a turbulent adolescence to college, finding her community, and ultimately, leaving Cleveland.”
—Paula Carino, MA, LMHC, LPC
“Kane recounts her childhood as an endless string of prison breaks - some even involving literal running. The prison is the terrifyingly oblivious world of adults. It's a riveting page-turner of psychic survival. Since she has kept meticulous daily journals since she was a child, you don't get hazy memories - you get mainline injections of her reality, complete with direct quotes. And what a story-teller! I read all 270 pages in one sitting. Don't start it if you have any commitments or you will miss them.”
—Ed Pastorini, songwriter, composer, pianist, and guitarist, 101 Crustaceans
"Leaving Cleveland is fabulous! It's a deeply personal, open, honest and inspiring coming-of-age memoir. You will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend it!"
—Julie N.
“If you appreciate a good mother/daughter tale as well as books with spiritual elements, you’ll love Leaving Cleveland. It’s fast-paced, humorous and insightful, and so engaging. I read the whole thing in a day. ”
— CPF
“No one can accuse the author of holding back in this family chronicle; Kane’s prose is raw, poignant, and strikingly brutal in depicting a girl’s trauma and self-discovery.”
— Kirkus Reviews
I’m excited to announce that my memoir, Leaving Cleveland, is now available to pre-order!
Leaving Cleveland is a coming-of-age story about the ways circumstances shaped me as a person over time, and about the ways I learned to cope with the dysfunction I grew up around.
It took me a long time to write bc it was difficult to figure out which voice was mine, after internalizing so many other voices.
It’s a story about wanting connection and belonging in the midst of neglect. And ultimately finding connection within.
It’s about the complicated relationship I had with my mother and the hilarious moments we shared as she tried to lead us to a better place in a world that kept seeming like it was trying to hold us back.
But mostly, it’s about the power of understanding and healing.
Of any book I’ve written this one is nearest and dearest to my heart.
Signed copies of Leaving Cleveland are available to pre-order here.
And you can also pre-order through Amazon, if you’d prefer.
All books will be shipped by March 1st 2025 at the latest.
If you have any questions about Leaving Cleveland, or the process of writing this book or anything else, please be in touch and I’ll be glad to answer.
Much love,
JLK
Leaving Cleveland is $20
$5 shipping in the US
$12 shipping everywhere else
$10 eBook
The books will be shipped out by March 1st, 2025.
The downloadable eBook link will be emailed March 1st, 2025.
Some photos of me and my mother—one when I was older that always makes me laugh bc it shows our differences in a funny way. And a couple others from when I was little. And one from my teenage years.
