I am a North Carolina speculative fiction writer, mostly dark fantasy and paranormal, but I don't really color inside the lines. I published my first short story when I was fourteen, and my mom insisted I use a pen name. I took some creative license with my actual first and middle names, and Meri Elena was brought forth.

I have published two novels in my young adult urban fantasy series, Nightfall and Blood Magik, in addition to a smattering of short stories. Two of those are in Off the Beaten Path anthologies. I also have a weekly podcast, Herbarium of the Bizarre, about strange and interesting plants. I've got to make use of that plant biology degree somehow.

I live in Kernersville, NC with my two cats, Joon and Wednesday. I work in communications for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, but on weekends I can often be found at conventions around the southeast.