#1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR, EDITOR, SPEAKER, & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Marla McKenna

While in school, Marla was involved in music, sports, and theater. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism – Advertising and Public Relations. Marla’s work is featured in these children’s books: Mom’s Big Catch, Sadie’s Big Steal, I’m a Secret Superhero, and A Soccer Summer Dream with the Milwaukee Torrent, as well as her most recent book for adults: Manifesting Your Dreams – Inspiring Words of Encouragement, Strength, and Perseverance, a compilation of 20 amazing stories. She is also the coauthor of Our Last Day in Heaven – A Story of Tragedy, Loss, and Hope with Angels in the Midst. 

Her work has appeared in magazines, brochures, newsletters, billboards, DVDs, radio spots, and websites. She has also used her design skills in a recent Forbes bestselling book, Culture Code Champions, as well as the book, A Powerful Promise. She is the ghostwriter of a financial investment book, and the editor for many Olympic athletes: Elizabeth Beisel, Tianna Bartoletta, McKenzie Coan, and Katie Hoff. 

She has loved turning her passion for writing and creativity into a career and is excited about the opportunities she has to share her positive message with kids of all ages and adults while visiting schools across the country. Teaching children that dreams really can come true and the importance of never giving up is the theme she promotes in her presentations as well as her writing skills and talents. 

Marla enjoys spending time at the cabin, going to concerts and baseball games, and walking her rescue dog, Mister. As an avid dog lover, she strongly supports helping all animals find loving homes especially those that have been abused and neglected. Marla is a strong supporter of The Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation and has chosen to give back partial proceeds from all her books to help Linda and all the dogs she rescues and finds loving forever homes for. Special thanks to Rick Springfield for matching Marla’s donations…a truly generous and kind gesture.

Marla is grateful for the loving relationships she has with her family and friends, while focusing on the positive influences in her life and giving back. She finds inspiration in the following quote: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The real “Give a Dog a Home” dog was inspired by her sweet dog Sadie (now in Heaven) which you will find as a character in her books as well as her beautiful daughters, Julia and Ashley.