Maryna Doughty
Writer + Former Teacher + Christian
Hi! I'm Maryna Doughty (pronounced Mer-ee-nuh DOH-tee). I write middle-grade novels and adult thrillers/suspense novels. Prior to writing, I earned my bachelor's degree in elementary education from Arizona State University, and I taught 4th and 5th grade for six years. Four of those years at Rancho Solano Preparatory School in Gilbert & Scottsdale, Arizona. Two of those years at Sierra School in Santa Clara, California. My favorite part of the school day was always reading aloud to my students.
I grew up in a blended family in Glendale, Arizona, and I now live in Southern California with my husband and three children.
​
MY PASSIONS:
-Writing fictional stories
-Discussing relationships & seeking biblical truths about dealing with dysfunction
-Serving and loving my husband
-Being a stay-at-home mom so I can raise my children
My Writing Accomplishments
1st Place in Vivian Kirkfield's 2020 #50PreciousWords Contest
​
6th Place in 2019 Halloweensie Contest
​
Winning Entry in 2019 Fall Frenzy Writing Contest
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Favorite Books
ADULT THRILLERS/SUSPENSE:
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
​
Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda
​
The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter
​
MIDDLE-GRADE:
This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
​
Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell
​
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
​
For the Record by Monique Polak
The Stepmom Shake-Up by Niki Lenz
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume
The Wide-Awake Princess series by E.D. Baker
Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey
​
​
CHAPTER BOOKS:
​
Wild Fairies series by Brandi Dougherty
​
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
PICTURE BOOKS
​
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
​
Porcupine's Pie by Laura Renauld
Summer Color by Diana Murray
The One-Stop Story Shop by Tracey Corderoy
A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale by Penny Parker Klostermann
I'm Sorry! By Barry Timms
​
An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus by Susan Jones
​
​
BOARD BOOKS:
​
The Little Blue Truck series by Alice Schertle
​
Bunny Breaths by Kira Willey
​