About
VJ Garske is the award‑winning author of Cowboys, Wizards & Liars and the Moonstone Legacy series, where humor, heart, and a touch of magical realism shape character‑driven adventures.
What began as a simple story for her grandson grew into an imaginative world of wizards, magical mishaps, and underdog heroes who discover courage in unexpected places. Her debut novel, The Raven Moonstone, launched a fantasy series recognized with the Literary Titan Gold Book Award and the PenMasters Global Fiction Award.
Garske’s stories explore friendship, forgiveness, grief, and the quiet strength found in ordinary people facing extraordinary moments. Inspired by her travels, in her Transit van, dubbed “Vanimal,” North America's extraordinary landscapes and human truths weave their way into her work.
Based in Arizona, she continues to craft heartfelt, adventurous tales that invite readers of all ages to rediscover magic hidden in everyday life.
Kindness matters--pay it forward.
Inside the Mind - VJ Garske
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What inspired you to start writing?
I started writing because the open road finally gave me the space to listen to myself. When I left my job to travel, plenty of people gave me that sideways “are you sure” look — but somewhere between the badlands, the forests, and the Superstition Mountains, a story started whispering to me. What began as a simple tale for my grandson grew into a world of wizards, ravens, and mischievous goats. I realized I wasn’t just traveling; I was gathering the courage to write the stories I’d always wanted to tell.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
My newest book, Cowboys, Wizards, & Liars, follows Noah Farmer — a wizard turned private investigator. It’s his first commissioned case, and he’s hot on the trail of a missing woman when he’s suddenly hurled through a time vortex. He winds up in the Weird Wild West with his magic as useless as a wet candle. It’s the 1880s, gold fever is running rampant, and everyone in this frontier town has a secret agenda. The truth is slipperier than a greased javelina. Set against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains, it’s a ghost story full of mystery, humor, and heart.
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