The Man in Black – Guest Post

Aug 19, 2011

Today, I have the opportunity to introduce another guest, author MJ Goodnow. MJ and I met through an online writer’s group, and I have to tell you, he’s quite a character!

So here’s a bit about him…

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The Man in Black
Bio and Introduction by MJ Goodnow

MJ Goodnow was born in New London, Connecticut March 26, 1975 as Michael James Scaniffe. In 1978 he was adopted by his godmother Rose Christina Goodnow and her husband Wallace E. Goodnow. MJ grew up in a wonderful, fun and heart filled family who supported his dreams.

During his school aged years, MJ became a victim of bullying. He began writing to escape and help him overcome. Now as an adult MJ gives back to his community in Monticello and surrounding areas. Speaking to adolescents about the effects of bullying and how it can devastate a person.

MJ was inspired by the Spirit and led into ministry, studying to become a Jesuit Priest. He worked for a while as a security guard and expanded his writing skills as a singer and songwriter for the bands Dark Autumn and Monster Zero.

Music soothed the soul as he wrote the rock opera Knights and Sorcerers soon to be recorded and preformed by the band Fingerbone.

MJ was destined for authorship as he found healing in writing and penned his first book Evolution of the Fallen. Evolution of the Fallen is about four young patients in a mental care facility overcoming their stigma.

When asked about the inspiration of this tale MJ said, “As a young adult counselor at an agency in Connecticut, I saw the horrors of mental illness and trauma. I too suffer from PTSD, which in-fact, is the reason I write. To let go, get it out, and to find recovery through my writing and hopefully inspiring others.”

Finding inspiration and encouragement by teacher Wally Lamb, and other inspirations to name a few, George Lucas, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Ann Rice and Anna Crispin, MJ has taken the calling of author.

He co-authored the first book of the Red Storm Regime, book one of the Regime Guard series, with Maria Pacha. In this Young Adult novel eight pre-teen children hold the fate of the world in their hands.

All this and a Dean’s List student at Ashford University. MJ is currently working on a degree in Social Sciences with an Education Concentration.

With his faith as an ordained minister and the life experiences God gifted him, MJ Goodnow hopes to inspire others to greater heights. When asked what he would like his readers to gleam from his prose MJ said, “There is always pain and suffering, but we always must rise against it, to defeat it.”

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MJ Goodnow’s books:
Red Storm Regime: Volume 1 in the Regime Guard 1000 Years of War Series

Time is but the essence of a truer reality—a reality that each of us has experienced; before those dark ages, before we were born. Know then that you have traveled to the very end of your galaxy, and far beyond it—to a galaxy known as Zaefer.

Evolution of the Fallen

Four mentally challenged Teenagers are placed into a group home. Tragedy and pain occur in instances of abuse and medication over usage, with attending staff. Beth, the house mother finds, quite literally, a plan. What happens next may shake the word “stigma” to the core.