The short version . . .
 Mary E. Pearson is the International and NYT bestselling and award-winning author of multiple novels including The Remnant Chronicles trilogy, the Dance of Thieves duology, The Jenna Fox trilogy, and more. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages world-wide. 
 
As a child she loved reading about and living in fantasy worlds. They were a portal to possibility that provided both escape and power. These days she loves writing about those worlds for the same reasons. She totally believes in magic, because, as one of her characters once whispered to her, “What is magic, but what we don’t yet understand?”
 
Her first adult novel, The Courting of Bristol Keats, will be released on November 12, 2024 by Flatiron Books. 
 
When she is not creating dangerous fantasy worlds, she enjoys the relatively safe pleasures of travel, gardening, friends, and family. Visit Mary on Instagram @maryepearson for the very latest book news and updates.

A longer rambling version . . .

I have always been enamored with story and character. My mother tells me I could be the most annoying little kid, waking up each day as a new character. Every morning she would have to ask me "who" I was for that day, because unless properly addressed I refused to answer anyone.

One time when I was about four years old, my parents were out shopping at Sears. They each thought the other had me by the hand when in fact I was exploring my own aisle (translation: I was lost!) Two salesladies found me and sat me on the counter, asking me my name so they could page my parents. I remember their consternation when I would only answer "Little Red Riding Hood." They couldn't shake my real name out of me no how, no way. I knew the value of persistence even then. My parents said they nearly fell over, when over the loud speaker they heard, "Would the parents of Little Red Riding Hood please come claim their child?" They knew exactly "who" was lost. These days I mostly wake up as myself, though I do seem to hang out with a lot of characters during the day.

Usually when people mention their education in their bios they only mention their college degrees, but to me, it is just as important what happened way before that. Wow--second grade! I will never forget Mrs. Alsenz. Boy, could she tell a great story. She would make them up and pretty soon have a classroom of wiggly kids exuberantly telling stories right along with her. And then there was Mrs. Bonsey in fourth grade. She always praised my writing and made a shy little girl feel like she might actually excel at something. And finally in twelfth grade came Mr. Kirk, crusty on the outside with a heart of gold on the inside, who loved the English language and taught his students to do the same. (Hey, Mr. Kirk, do you see me waving at ya?)

Later I went on to get a BFA from Long Beach State University in art. I worked for a time as an artist then started the most challenging job of my life--motherhood. Holy smokes, no one told me there would be no coffee breaks. But it is the most rewarding job I have ever had (watch out--I'll start dragging out the pictures.) 

Still later, I went to San Diego State University where I received my teaching credential. I went on to teach many different grades but it was my second grade students who pushed me back into writing. During Writing Workshop I would sit with them and write, loving the process, loving the stories, and lo and behold deciding I would love to return to my first love. That's a whole lot of lovin' going on and luckily for me I was able to do just that. Not that writing is easy. I have a huge stack of rejections to prove it, but I still have enough of that Little Red Riding Hood persistence in me to keep on going.

Now I write full time from my home in San Diego. I've written fourteen books to date and more are always on the way.  The latest, The Courting of Bristol Keats--is my first adult book!

  

  

 

 I'm the dizzy roly-poly in the middle, sandwiched between my big brother and sister. The advantages of being the youngest and the "spare?" Your parents are already worn down and you get away with a lot more.

Here I am at the grand age of three, trying out my first serious "author pose."

"Yeah, Santa, that's a good one! And have I got a couple of stories for you . . ."

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My first high school picture, but . . .
Picture this: Freshman year + Picture Day + Big Zit on end of nose. Could anything be worse for a shy 14 year-old?
Miracle of miracles: my mom was right that one day I would actually laugh about it.

Here I am at 16, hugging my fur ball, Rags. If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a dog lover--hair, slobbers, and all. Since Rags, I've had four more dogs: Duke, Buddy, Brody, and Hunter.

It has been a long haul since those first days when I pretended to be a new character every day, with lots of ups and downs along the way, but I am enormously grateful for the whole journey and that I can do what I love to do, create stories and connect with readers all over the world. Somebody pinch me.