Meet May Garner
May Garner is an author and poet from Dayton, Ohio, whose words explore love, grief, and the quiet beauty of healing. With nearly fifteen years of writing experience and more than a decade of sharing her work online May has built a devoted audience that connects deeply with her honesty and emotion.
She is the author of two poetry collections, Withered Rising and Melancholic Muse, and her work has been featured in Querencia Press, Arcana Poetry Press, Cozy Ink Press, and The Ohio Bards. Writing is more than a passion for her it’s a calling she hopes to pursue as a full-time career.
The Story Behind Melancholic Muse
May’s latest collection, Melancholic Muse, is a poetic reflection on young love, heartbreak, and healing. It serves as a spiritual successor to her first online poetry book, Melancholy, which she originally published on Wattpad in 2016.
“I wanted to create something that honored where I started,” May says. “The title Melancholic Muse came to me naturally it’s both a tribute to my past and a reminder of the inspiration that helped me grow as a writer.”
Each poem in the collection captures a different facet of human emotion, from heartbreak to renewal, written with the sensitivity and lyrical depth that define her style.
Writing Habits and Creative Process
Unlike many writers who find their muse in the late hours, May prefers to write during the day. “I used to be nocturnal,” she laughs. “But working as an Operations Coordinator at a nonprofit art center means I have more time to create during daylight hours.”
She also writes in complete silence. “I can’t write while listening to anything not even music,” she says. “It’s just me, my thoughts, and the page.”
Literary Influences
May’s love of storytelling and poetry has been shaped by both dark fiction and contemporary verse. Among her favorite writers are Stephen King, Nick Cutter, and Jack Ketchum, whose works explore psychological and emotional intensity.
In the poetry world, she admires Amanda Lovelace, Gigi Flanard, and Amy Elizabeth Vaughn, as well as Rupi Kaur, the first poet who introduced her to modern spoken-style poetry. “Each of them taught me something about vulnerability and voice,” May explains. “I wouldn’t be the author I am without them.”
What She’s Working On Now
May is currently drafting her third poetry collection, Suicidal Cathedrals. This upcoming book will explore grief, childhood trauma, and the painful aftermath of loss. “It’s my most personal and emotionally heavy collection yet,” she shares. “It deals with themes that are difficult but necessary to talk about.”
Her goal is to release the book in Spring 2026.
Promoting Her Work
May has spent over a decade connecting with readers through digital platforms. She began her journey on Wattpad, where she posted fanfiction and poetry, and later expanded to Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok her current favorite spaces for sharing work and connecting with the writing community.
Advice for New Authors
Her advice for aspiring writers is as poetic as her work: “Write for you, share for you. Your work holds value, even if no one has read it yet.”
May encourages writers to stay close to their passion and protect it fiercely. “Hold your dreams tight, even when things get hard,” she says. “Your words deserve to see the light.”
The Best Advice She’s Ever Heard
May still remembers the wisdom her grandfather shared: “Just because things aren’t okay now doesn’t mean they’ll be like this forever.” It’s a message she carries with her both in life and in art a reminder that healing takes time, but it always comes.
What She’s Reading
Currently, May is reading two books:
- Reckless by Elsie Silver, a romance from the Chestnut Springs series.
- the darkest of times, the darkest of thoughts by Megan Diedericks, one of her closest writing friends and fellow poets.
What’s Next for May Garner
2025 has been an extraordinary year for May. She set out with a goal to be featured in one publication each month and she’s exceeded it, with over 20 acceptances by August. Her work is scheduled to appear in Speckled Trout Review, Moss Puppy Magazine, The Mackinaw, and many others through the end of the year.
As she continues her momentum, May plans to focus on Suicidal Cathedrals while celebrating how far her writing has come. “It’s been a year of growth,” she says. “And I’m grateful every single day for the chance to share my words.”
Books She Would Take to a Desert Island
If stranded on a desert island, May would take:
- Misery by Stephen King
- Cash: An Autobiography by Johnny Cash
- The Troop by Nick Cutter
- No Way Home by Gigi Flanard
Each of these books reflects her love for storytelling that dives deep into human emotion raw, haunting, and beautifully real.
Connect with May Garner
- Website: May Garner Official Site
- Amazon Author Page: May Garner on Amazon
- Facebook: May Garner on Facebook
