Laura Essay attended the University of Nebraska and obtained a law degree from Creighton University School of Law. When her three grown children moved on to graduate programs in other cities, writing became her passion. Side Effects Are Minimal is her debut novel. Her knowledge of the opioid crisis stems from her penchant for research and innumerable hours spent searching for the truth about opioids in America. She also has devoted a great deal of time to working with youth programs in her state, assisting the homeless, and setting up new homes for refugees relocating to Nebraska. In 2016, she launched a fundraiser that provided hundreds of car seats to infants in need and served as a court-appointed special advocate for foster children. In her leisure time, Laura enjoys cooking, music, running and travel. She lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, with her husband and Australian shepherd, Riley.