M. J. Putney
Pseudonym for Mary Jo Putney.
http://www.maryjoputney.com/mjp/
I’ve written lots of romances as Mary Jo Putney.
M. J. Putney is my YA alter ego, since I
didn’t want the romances confused with my young adult
paranormals. Hence, a name different enough to show these
are a different kind of book, but similar enough that
it’s clear who I am.
I grew up in the dairy farm country of Upstate New York,
which has been really useful since I write historical novels
set in more agricultural time periods. I was an obsessive
reader, the sort who read books under the blankets with a
flashlight. My mother said I’d ruin my eyes. She
was right. <g>
When bored in classes, I would quietly daydream stories.
My largest story was a multiple character saga with romance
and adventure set in World War II.
Since high school wasn’t too exciting, I skipped a
year and went off to college a year early. I left six
years later with bachelor’s degrees in 18th Century
British Literature and Industrial Design. (Most people who
spend that long in college at least get a Master’s!)
I bought a one-way ticket to California and set off, design
portfolio in hand. I’m not sure I’d recommend
this to everyone, but it seemed perfectly logical at the time.
After several years of working in California, I headed off
to England, where I lived in Oxford for a couple of years.
It was great! The time I spent exploring the British Isles
has since been invaluable for all my British set novels.
While in England, I worked as art editor for the New
Internationalist magazine,. This was my first
exposure to professional writers. I learned that most
writers needed to be forced to the keyboard with whips and
threats to get them to settle down and actually write. I
regret to say that now that I am a professional writer
myself, I’ve found this to be entirely true. <G>
On returning to the U.S., I mooched off my brother and his
wife in Northern Virginia until I found a job near
Baltimore. (Luckily, before they got tired of having me
around.) I’ve lived in Maryland every since. I like
the history, the beautiful scenery, and the four distinct
seasons.
I’m fond of reading, cats, travel, and most of all,
great stories. Dark Mirror is my first young
adult novel, but not the last. The Dark Passage
series is set in an alternative early 19th Century
England world where aristocratic young people who have
magical powers are sent to the infamous school at Lackland
Abbey to be “cured” of their despised abilities.
The series is, in fact, sort of a multiple character saga
with romance and adventure, part of which is set in World
War II. <G> I love writing in this world, so who
knows? There may be lots more stories ahead!
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Books
Stolen Magic
June 27, 2006
With richly imagined characters and compelling stories,
New York Times bestselling author M. J. Putney has won
dazzling praise from reviewers and readers across the
country. Her spellbinding new romantic fantasy will sweep
you Read more...
Stolen Magic
June 1, 2005
Heir to an ancient title, Simon Malmain, the Earl of
Falconer, is well known among the Guardians, humans with
magical powers derived from nature. Well known, but not
always well loved . . Read more...
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