hi there!
My name is Melissa Joy, and I’m a novel writer from Colorado with a PhD in astronomy. I write books for teens and adults, and I’ve got several novels in various stages of the writing and publishing process. Sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date, and get a free short story and scene!
In between happilys ever after, I enjoy artistic skating, archery, epic cosplay, music making, and occasional science research projects. Wander around my website if you like, or drop me a note here or on social media, I'd love to connect!
Find your Fun—
"I know that look."
He snapped his gaze back to her face, raising an innocent eyebrow. "This look?"
"You're wondering if you can keep up with my mad skills on the dance floor."
Kriss and Chase, The Prom Redo
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Sign up for access to a Skate Cute epilogue scene and short story, and the first two chapters of Ever After, Etc, book 2 in the Sacreola Sweethearts series
a peek at my projects
Fugitive Star
Fugitive Star #1
Aylin Starr is weird, and so is her starship. She's also fleeing for her life. The only hope for her and her ship is to pretend to be as normal as possible, at an old-fashioned military training school that's bad at keeping secrets.
Status: Outlining for NaNo 2024!
Photo credit: Alek Kalinowski
Sacreola Sweethearts #1
Astronomy PhD student Kriss finds an escape in artistic skating at the rink in her old hometown. But she can't escape the attention of two familiar admirers from the nearby fire station.
Status: Out now! Buy it here
Read an excerpt here
25% author proceeds support the BoCo Wildfire Fund
"Pack Your Bags" anthology
For biologist Sarah, the best thing about her sister's wedding in Puerto Rico is the plants. The worst: spending the night in the bathroom instead of flirting with the best man. Then she finds out she's accidentally in his room.
Status: Out now! Buy it here
Photo credit: Angelo Pantazis
Explorers #2
Set sail on the high seas of imagination! Together with my young co-authors Ressa Draco and Gabriel M. James, we bring you the second book in our Explorers series, featuring dragons, caves, seven scheming hedgehog-wizards, one suspicious snowy owl, and a harrowing hunt for a legendary hidden treasure! Find out more on the Explorers page
Status: Out now! Buy it here
"The cast is off. You know what that means..."
Chase sat forward, propping his left elbow on the table and angling his forearm toward her, his hand open as if to shake hers. His eyes danced with challenge.
"Left-handed arm wrestling match. You and me. Right now."
Kriss and Chase, Date Night in December
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snippets of skating
blurbs from the blog
Why I Write Romance
Posted on September 19, 2023
Why romance? Isn’t it the world of bulging pecs and ripped bodices, of cheesy lines and flimsy plots, of dog-eared pages tucked into drawers?
Skate Cute Blog Tour
Posted on August 6, 2022
Skate Cute and I went on tour! Read the posts to learn my book and author secrets.
Supporting My Local Wildfire Relief Fund
Posted on April 27, 2022
25% of my author proceeds from Skate Cute goes to support victims of the Marshall Fire in my local community.
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