The Author and Founder of Flying Turtle

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Mari spent her early years listening to the vivid stories of  some of the best story-tellers in history--her family members. Her great-grandmothers, Mattie Harper, Exie Lakes and Ellen Dean shared stories that spanned generations. Grandfather, Dolphus Dean, was a jazz musician and grandmothers, Charlotte Giles and Birda Lakes, were generous with tales of their lives and adventures. By the age of six, Mari had become a voracious reader and now she gets to be a story-teller, as well.

ML Barnes is the pen name for Mari Lumpkin Barnes. Mari has been a practicing word nerd for most of her life, proofreading and editing others' words for nearly 30 years. She’s never met a bookstore that she didn’t like and she loves adventures (mostly of the literary variety).

After being told by an agent that the novel was “good and very funny,” but that she wouldn't represent it, Mari created a publishing company—Flying Turtle Publishing—to get Parting River Jordan in print. Parting River Jordan is the result of her first National Novel Writing Month effort. Mari lives with her family in Hammond, Indiana.

The Flying Turtle

The Flying Turtle symbolizes persistence, security, and faith. A turtle plods along, sedately, but surely. It’s always secure because it carries its home along. But a turtle WITH WINGS has the courage and ability to go as far as imagination will take it. Flying Turtles have faith—they believe they can fly!