Marion W. McKenney (often credited as M W McKenney), a published author of adult and children's fiction books, was born in Dyersburg, TN, and grew up in Ottawa and Peoria, IL. She graduated from Illinois Central College and Bradley University with a BS in Elementary Education; moved to North Carolina in 2003; and became an educator and writer. She currently has 20 published items, comprising books and writing journals. She is especially known for books such as Dem Church Folk, The First Day of Kindergarten, and I Love My Daddy.