“McGuigan demonstrates a wonderful talent for creating emotionally complex characters, believable situations, and closely observed, realistic settings.” – Michael Cart, Booklist
Mary Ann McGuigan’s young-adult fiction is about teens trying to make sense of the chaos grown-ups leave in their wake. Reviewers call her novels powerful and compelling, and they’ve been ranked among the best books for teens by the Junior Library Guild, the New York Public Library, and the Paterson Prize. Her novel Where You Belong was a finalist for the National Book Award, and Mary Ann has served on the foundation’s panel of judges.
She writes fiction for grown-ups too. Her short stories appear in literary journals such as North American Review, The Sun, and Prime Number. Pieces, her composite novel, includes stories nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Sundress Publications’ Best of the Net.
Mary Ann taught English and later became a business writer and editor, mainly for Bloomberg L.P. Born in the Bronx, she attended high school and college in Jersey City and now lives in Metuchen, NJ.
“On Eighth Avenue, people fanned out in every direction. Traffic crawled, and the sunlight glinted off windshields. Everyone hurried along, no matter how loudly the billboards and storefront signs insisted…
“One Irishwoman is more than you need to run a place. Put four of them together and you need peace talks to get the bread passed.” https://nightshiftradio.com/storytellersprint/print-edition-v22-intercession
“Moira feels as if she’s been called back to reprise a role in a play that closed years ago.” https://www.themanifeststation.net/2022/04/08/asylum/
The historical events depicted in Mary Ann’s novels make them excellent vehicles for using fiction to discuss continuing social issues: interracial friendship, civil rights, overcoming poverty, teenage drinking, homelessness, domestic violence, and alcoholism.
She tailors her visits to schools, libraries, and bookstores to discuss the themes most important to them.
