Mona Lee Ray is a Filipino storyteller exploring identity, survival, and the echoes of old myths. She writes dark fiction with soft edges. Click the buttons below to read her novels or inquire about film adaptations.
By joining my Patreon
Writing a book can feel a little like building a strange world alone in a quiet room. Patreon is where I open the door and invite readers inside that space.
By joining, you’ll get access to early chapters, behind-the-scenes notes from my writing desk, exclusive audio books, and the messy, magical process of bringing stories to life before they ever reach the shelves.
Members also get a closer look at the worlds I’m building, from Norah Wolfe’s universe to future novels still taking shape. Think of it as a small creative studio where readers and storytellers gather around the same fire.
Your support helps me keep writing, dreaming up new worlds, and sharing them with the people who care about stories as much as I do.
Norah Wolfe Has Gone Insane
A wholesome young adult novel exploring mental health and grief through a bi-cultural, generational lens.
“Rated PG-13”
When her father experiences a mental breakdown after a family fracture, Norah Wolfe begins following signs she believes are sent by her dead ex, desperate to save him before everything she loves falls apart.
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I appreciate the personal connection that the author has to the protagonist in this book, which made the reading journey very intimate and relatable. I also think that adressing such universal struggles as love, grief, and mental health were handled realistically and responsibly given the length and scope of the story.
I recommend this book to anyone who resonates with similar life struggles, and to those who have any proximity to people who do. I also believe that those who place their faith and trust in their intuition and connection to the universe or a higher power will be able to see themselves throughout this book. In this way, I felt seen and heard through the echoes of relatable situations and stories therein.
Lastly, as an aspiring writer for the sake of healing and relating to others, this book is an inspiration for what is possible — being well done and well received by those who can relate. ❤️”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have re-read this book more times than I can count. It isn’t just ‘some book’ either. It’s a carefully curated experience and a deeply touching world of a girl named Norah Wolfe. I find myself seeking it out when I need a good comfort read, or for when I need a reminder that I am not alone. Norah Wolfe is a down-to-earth character that reflects light onto the many corners of myself, reminding me that it’s okay to not always be okay. I highly recommend, 10/10.”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was so incredibly relatable to me. There’s so many emotional and heavy topics discussed in this book, and I feel like the author did it in a beautiful way. I really liked how mature and self-aware Norah was - especially considering the traumas she’s endured in her life, yet she still reacted realistically, like how I imagine I would if I were her. I really liked this book.”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The emotional roller coaster you go through in this book is such a fun, heartbreaking, and beautiful experience. The environment’s that you read through are well designed and the way the characters interact feels real and inviting. Like you’re sitting there eating along with them listening to the conversation. The introverted thoughts Norah goes through are relatable and there are times where you just want to speak for her when she’s not yet feeling strong enough. The book is crafted in a way that its always leaving you wanting more, but also gently asking you to take your time with the subjects. It doesn’t often leave you at a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter and it gives you time to breathe. The situations are complicated, but simple, all at the same time. An easy read and a great experience.”
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write your story
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Featured Books
liberation is a collection of raw, intimate poems that explore what it means to reclaim yourself after survival, heartbreak, identity shifts, and the quiet battles no one sees. moving between tenderness and fury, these pieces unravel the weight of past wounds, the complexity of human connection, and the slow, steady rise toward self-love. with a voice that is unfiltered and deeply human, liberation reflects on trauma, healing, motherhood, identity, and the fractured relationships that shape us. each poem holds a mirror to the parts of ourselves we're taught to hide, inviting readers to look inward and release what no longer belongs. this book is for anyone rebuilding themselves piece by piece, learning to trust their own voice, or standing at the edge of a new beginning. liberation is both a confession and a breakthrough-a testament to the strength it takes to survive, soften, and finally set yourself free.
new
Coming soon…
Rhythm & Ruin (18+, NSFW)
Milana Rodriguez thought she left the darkness behind in the South Side of Chicago. But when two friends vanish without a trace and a name from her past resurfaces, she realizes the danger never let her go.
All clues lead to one masked night, one powerful man, and a secret that’s been following her for years.
To save the people she loves, Milana must step back into a world built on lies… and uncover why she was pulled into it in the first place.
About
I’ve explored many creative paths—photography, dance, painting, teaching, and streaming—but nothing lights my heart up more than writing.
While I still mentor, photograph, and create custom malas inspired by astrology charts, storytelling is at the center of everything I do.
Support through Patreon, donations, or my shop helps me continue building the worlds I hope to share with readers—and someday, the screen.
ways to support my writing outside of purchasing my books and art:
FAQs
What do you actually do for money?
I read tarot and astrology, do 1:1 coaching, and empower people daily. I also take on photography gigs, teach dance, and make and sell art at vendor shows! Obviously outside of book sales and Patreon support.
My income is a collage, just like my creativity.
Why do you do so much?
I am 1) multi-passionate, but 2) I have D.I.D. My system is a team of people co-creating through different art forms. It’s collaborative, sometimes chaotic, but always deeply creative.
How many alters do you have?
Anywhere from 8-20. Some are named, some aren’t. It’s complicated.
What do you like to do for fun?
I play video games, cosplay, read. I especially love a good, day-long-binging-movies-or-shows session with my husband, and a lot of snacks.
Simple joys, low stakes, full escape.
What inspires your work?
Survivor stories, ancestral history, folklore, and the little moments where art becomes a lifeline.
I pull from the personal and the mythical at the same time.
Why do you tell stories?
Because storytelling is where I healed first. Turning pain into narrative gives it shape, meaning, and eventually, freedom.
How did you get into speaking?
I started in youth empowerment, sharing my experiences to help others feel less alone. It grew naturally from advocacy, not ambition.
What kinds of projects are you working on?
Morebooks, audio books, my physical body with dance (this is forever), film adaptations, and whatever else my brain cooks up at 2 AM. I’m constantly building worlds across multiple mediums.
How would you describe your art style?
Dark, emotional, surreal, and rooted in Filipino mythology. A mix of vulnerability and teeth.
Press
CanvasRebel Magazine Interview:
Women We’ve Been Waiting For | YouTube Video Interview with Alix Lebec:
Finding Her Courage Podcast Episode:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BLpeNuTxCNaGkYAmPxkGi?si=78_TPsuYQKmQzdXUID8Xbw
Mona Lee Ray is a Filipina-American author whose work explores identity, memory, and the unseen threads between trauma and survival. Her novels and poetry blend grit, dark humor, and surreal beauty, creating worlds that are cinematic, immersive, and unflinchingly honest.
When she’s not writing, she’s building worlds in her own life—raising her children, chasing stories, and letting music, nostalgia, and the chaos of the city inform her work.