Bios & Book Jacket for Press Kit (for debut novel)

​

Author Short Bio

     MJ Warner writes authentically raw, empathetically healing, and hopeful women’s fiction. She draws her stories from her life experiences and healing journey, which is filled with storms and rainbows, with a touch of inspiration through magical realism and spiritual intervention.

     With two prior short story anthology publications under her belt (2007, 2017 respectfully) and a 1st place win in 2024 for a short story, Whiskey Nightmares, she hopes to inspire others with her upcoming first novel, Midnight Visits & Feather Kisses, while attending SNHU for a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with an emphasis on Contemporary Fiction (May 2026 graduation anticipated). She obtained her Professional Writing certificate in May 2025.

​

​

Author Long Bio

“The wounded me – and my inner child’s narrative – would say and believe,

'I’ve had a hard life—I don’t know if I can go on.'  

The wounded, yet healing me, would say and trust,

'Each day I’m given a new opportunity to grow through this challenge,

expressing gratitude for this lesson and welcoming the next.'

I hold space for the healed me, wishing to hear words of wisdom, but for today, 

I choose to live for the present, in the presence, waiting patiently for that day.”

~MJ Warner~

     MJ Warner identifies her short fictional works and novels in the same way she describes her path in life—authentically raw, empathetically healing, and empoweringly hopeful. Healing themes dominate her contemporary women's fiction, and magical realism and spiritual intervention peek through the characters' lives. She pulls from life experiences and her healing journey--a healthy balance of storms and rainbows. She accepts each life lesson with gratitude and welcomes the opportunity for growth while healing generational cycles. MJ aims to be a better version of herself each day to support her goal and motherhood superpower: being the best mom she can be with the lessons of yesterday, knowledge of today, and challenges of tomorrow.

     When asked to describe herself, she says, "I am a healer and empath. I am a dreamer and believer. I am sensitive and strong. I strive to be authentic and persevere despite obstacles. I am a work-in-progress, and that’s okay."

     She and her family make their home in New England, with plans to spend the golden years in the south. Following medical retirement from law enforcement, MJ prioritized self-care, her passions for writing and natural healing modalities, and began slowing down to experience life through her children’s eyes. When she’s not writing, reading, or running off to her kids’ activities, she is savoring the family time, knowing that it passes by all too quickly.

 

​

Book Jacket for Midnight Visits & Feather Kisses 

Today I decided to replace “I’m fine” with,

“I am not okay today, but I am working toward a better tomorrow.” ~Lilah Waverly

​​

Lilah, an only child, grew up living with wealthy doctor parents who were community pillars, upholding an image. By seventeen, Lilah argued for independence, rebelling alongside Roma, her “no rules” best friend, before falling in love with Daniel on summer vacation. Three years later, Lilah unravels as her parents’ fatal car accident reveals a childhood of lies. Daniel breaks up with her, leaving more questions than answers.

Her stubborn determination to prove to herself and others that she is “fine” disregards her stressors. By twenty-six, one drunken night with Daniel leaves Lilah confronted with a choice: continue suffering from old wounds holding her back, or follow her heart before it’s too late.  

As Lilah gazes into little Danny’s eyes, cradling her future, she knows her healing journey must begin. Lilah learns that sometimes the only way out is through, as she leans on the support of an elderly friend, John, and finds guidance and love through random feathers believed to be left by deceased loved ones. Midnight Visits & Feather Kisses is an inspiring novel of perseverance despite adversity and the power of healing.

​