Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers.
Today, we introduce May Garner, a poet and author whose words resonate with honesty, vulnerability, and resilience. Based in Dayton, Ohio, May has been writing for nearly fifteen years, with the last decade devoted to sharing her poetry online and connecting with readers through emotion-driven verse. She is the author of two poetry collections, Withered Rising and Melancholic Muse, both of which explore love, grief, growth, and the complexity of the human heart.
Her work has appeared in multiple literary magazines and anthologies, including Querencia Press, Arcana Poetry Press, Cozy Ink Press, and The Ohio Bards. Most recently, her poetry was featured in Speckled Trout Review’s 2025 Summer Issue (6.1), cementing her as one of the rising poetic voices in contemporary literature.
Meet May Garner
“I’ve always found my comfort in words,” May says. “Poetry became my language for feelings I couldn’t explain otherwise.”
Her journey as a poet began online through Wattpad, where she first shared her work in a digital collection titled Melancholy. Over time, her creative spark evolved into a deep, mature voice that blends heartbreak, healing, and empowerment.
Today, her writing speaks to anyone who has faced emotional pain yet found beauty in their survival.
About Her Latest Book: Melancholic Muse
Published in February 2025, Melancholic Muse is a deeply personal and reflective poetry collection that traces May’s growth as both a writer and a woman.
“The inspiration behind the book goes back to 2016,” she explains. “That’s when I fell in love with poetry. I decided to take my first online collection, Melancholy, and breathe new life into it.”
The result is a beautiful, haunting body of work that captures her first poems, first heartbreaks, and first poetic revenge. Melancholic Muse feels like a conversation between who she was and who she has become a lyrical bridge between the past and the present.
“I’ve watched this book grow over the months,” she says. “It’s been an absolute joy to see it touch others who feel the same emotions I once wrote alone.”
Her Writing Process and Habits
While many writers turn to playlists or ambient sounds, May finds inspiration in silence. “It might sound unpopular,” she laughs, “but I can’t write with any background noise. I need complete quiet no music, no talking, nothing.”
For her, silence creates clarity. “When I write, I need to hear my thoughts clearly. The words come to me best when the world is still.”
Writers Who Inspire Her
May credits Stephen King as one of her biggest creative influences. “His story how he started, how persistent he was reminds me that success takes time,” she says.
When it comes to poetry, her style and spirit have been shaped by modern poets such as Amanda Lovelace, Amy Elizabeth Vaughn, and Gigi Flanard. “Their courage to be vulnerable in their writing has always inspired me,” May shares. “They write about real pain and real healing, and that’s what I aim to do too.”
What She’s Working on Now
May’s current project is her third poetry collection titled “Suicidal Cathedrals.” This work delves into themes of childhood trauma, suicide, grief, and the loss of a parent.
“This collection is darker than my previous ones,” she admits. “It’s personal, emotional, and raw. I’m still in the early stages of writing, but I’m incredibly hopeful. It feels like a necessary chapter in my creative journey.”
Promoting Her Work
When it comes to sharing her poetry, May’s favorite platform is Instagram. “My community there is amazing,” she says. “They’ve supported me through every release, every creative doubt, and every celebration. I owe so much of my growth to that space.”
Her Instagram page is not just for promotion it’s a space where she connects deeply with readers who relate to her words on a personal level.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
May’s advice to new writers comes from her own experience of perseverance and faith in creativity:
“No dream is impossible. If you truly want something, it will find you when your time is right. Hold on tight to your hopes and your dreams.”
She admits there were times she almost gave up. “But I’m so grateful I didn’t. The little girl who dreamed of becoming an author would be thrilled to see where we are today.”
The Best Advice She’s Ever Received
May lives by one simple truth:
“Just because things aren’t okay right now doesn’t mean they won’t get better.”
This philosophy shapes both her life and her poetry. Each piece she writes is an affirmation that healing takes time and that hope, no matter how fragile, always returns.
What She’s Reading Now
May is currently juggling two reads:
- Reckless from the Chestnut Springs Series by Elsie Silver, and
- The Darkest of Times, The Darkest of Thoughts by Megan Diedericks, a poetry collection written by a close friend.
“I love supporting other poets,” she says. “There’s something so empowering about lifting each other up in this community.”
What’s Next for May Garner
In addition to completing Suicidal Cathedrals, May plans to submit her work to more literary magazines and anthologies. She recently achieved her 2025 goal of being published every month of the year a milestone she hopes to repeat in 2026.
Her dream is simple but profound: to keep writing words that matter.
If Stranded on a Desert Island
When asked which books she would take to a deserted island, May smiles and lists her choices:
- Misery by Stephen King
- No Way Home by Gigi Flanard
- Cash: An Autobiography by Johnny Cash
- The Troop by Nick Cutter
“Those books reflect who I am a mix of darkness, truth, art, and heart,” she says.
Connect with May Garner
Stay connected with May and her poetic journey through:
- Amazon Author Page: May Garner on Amazon
- Goodreads: May Garner on Goodreads
- Facebook: May Garner on Facebook
Follow her for updates on new poetry releases, writing reflections, and glimpses behind her creative process.
Final Thoughts
May Garner’s poetry is both a confession and a celebration. Her collections Withered Rising and Melancholic Muse offer an unfiltered look at emotion, growth, and the beauty of survival. Through her words, she transforms pain into poetry and solitude into connection.
As she continues her journey with Suicidal Cathedrals, May stands as a reminder that healing is never linear but poetry can make it beautiful.
