I’ve always wanted to be a writer. It started when I was a child. I was always exaggerating the truth to make things more exciting, and forcing people to listen to wild tales I made up in the moment. As I grew older, I realized fantasy was my favorite way to examine the truth. For me, the greatest part of reading and writing is the empathy we can gain for people unlike ourselves. I loved seeing myself in books when I was a kid, and that’s why I am dedicated to having diverse characters in every book I write.
As someone with ADHD and PTSD, I write for those who were left behind, who feel like they will never quite belong, or the world somehow isn’t built for them. You belong. You are worth it. And fitting in doesn’t always mean finding people exactly like you, just finding people who love you for who you are.
Currently, I am a Certified Veterinary Technician at an orthopedic surgery center. I have also worked as a fish filleter and boat mechanic, a zipline guide, bookseller, and a survival skills teacher.
Local to Portland, I spend most of my non-writing time exploring the magic at the end of dirt roads, gardening, and binge-watching tv shows with my partner and Mojo, the most judgmental dog on the planet.
Jenn Neal 