When Jean Lemieux finished his first novel, a chance encounter at a Salon du livre led to the publication of another -- this time, a book for young adults. He met an editor with Québec/Amérique Jeunesse who persuaded him to write a short story for a young adult anthology she was preparing. Instead of the one story required, he submitted three. The first story, "Retour à Saint-Malo" was included in the anthology, Ici. The second story was destined to become Lemieux's successful young adult novel, La Cousine des États. The third is to be expanded into a book for adults. Whether writing for adolescents or adults, Lemieux demonstrates an abiding interest in human relationships. He is fascinated by the energy and enthusiasm of youth and is intrigued by the similarities he sees between an adolescent's search for self-awareness and the broader, historical issues implicit when tracing a family's roots or searching for cultural identity. Jean Lemieux is not only an author but also a doctor. Although he and his family live in Quebec City, they still have a strong attachment to the Iles-de-la-Madeleine where they lived for many years.