Mona Lee Ray
Author of dark, surreal fiction exploring identity, memory, and myth.
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.
Debut novel | Young Adult
Norah Wolfe Has Gone Insane
When her father disappears 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.
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.
Meet the Author
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:
FAQs
What do you actually do for money?
I read tarot, interpret astrology charts, and sometimes create custom ritual or symbolic items based on the reading. I also take on photography gigs, teach dance, and make and sell art at vendor shows! My income is a collage, just like my creativity.
What kind of neurodivergent are you?
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.
What do you like to do for fun?
I play video games, cosplay, read, and disappear into stories that aren’t mine. 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.
Favorite boba?
Jasmine milk tea with egg pudding.
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?
More books, 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.
-
Shop
media by mona
-
Transmute Through Writing Guide
heal through writing. re-write the ending. transform your pain into power.
-
1:1 Sessions
video chat | creative consult