Born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, she attended Converse College and eventually earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006.
In college, she was told by her children's literature professor she would be the one student from her class to be an author. McGee shook her head and laughed. But in 2012, over six years after that statement was made and after a love of reading had been reignited, she gave writing a shot. J.B. gladly ate crow when she emailed her first book to the above mentioned children's literature professor thanking her and acknowledging the accuracy of her prophecy.
In 2011, it was discovered that not only do both of her children, but also she and her husband, have mitochondrial disease. Affecting 1 in 2500 people, it has no cure or treatments. Being a writer allows J.B. to care for her family's unique needs while also providing a platform for raising awareness for this disease.
She is a hopeless romantic who loves to escape into fairy tales-some she reads and some she creates.
J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia.
Thank you first to Georgette Geras. In April, you came to me and asked a question that had been posed before. It was one I'd always shot down in the past. Do I ever write a story based on someone else's plot? What if they had the beginning already complete? Could I take their words and make it into something they could put on a shelf? Something inside of me told me to explore this. When I finished reading what you sent, I think I said, "That's a hell of a writing prompt."
Immediately, I started seeing glimpses of scenes. I knew this was special.
Having wanted to write a Wattpad story, to do something interactive and different with readers, I accepted Georgette's challenge and decided to do it publicly with not just her input, but reader input. It turned into one of the most rewarding books I've ever written, as well as my longest. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone in an effort to stay true to the characters and keep these readers, who ultimately had a hand in the plotting of this novel, on the edge of their seats.
Without your prompt, your feedback through all ninety-six thousand words, and the blossoming friendship and support you offered, this book simply wouldn't exist. Thank you seems inadequate.
To April Holmes. Thank you for helping with plotting, for always reading quickly, for being honest about what you think. Most of all, thank you for your friendship. And thank you to Josh for letting you stay up late laughing about plot twists and sexy Theo-isms.
To Deb Hart. I can't imagine writing a book without you. I actually tried this time-to write a book without your input so you were reading blind like everyone else. It just didn't feel right. I'm convinced I hold the brainstorming dream team in Georgette, April, and you. And of course, above all this, for the last three years you've been by my side as one of my closest friends.
To Amber Goleb. I have said it before, but I'll say it again. You are the yin to my yang. Thank you for everything you do-from getting a planner just so you can keep up with my professional life to all the behind the scenes administrative tasks you complete without me even having to ask-and all to ensure my books are seen by as many people as possible.
To the readers of JB McGee Reader Workshop, I can't thank you enough for your input, excitement, and support during this project. It's tricky when you have a plot in your mind to take other people's suggestions and incorporate that, but I did try to do it in as many instances as possible. I hope we can do this again because I'm pretty sure I'm already in withdrawals.
To Emily A. Lawrence. Thank you for always working me in quickly, for pushing me to be better.
To my husband, I'm pretty sure I started falling in love with you the moment our eyes connected. I know within two weeks, I was for sure head over heels in love with you. This life we live is a heck of a storm filled with tremendous illness, financial stress, and severe fatigue. But there's no one else I'd rather be stuck in it with than you. Please don't ever release my heart.
To my kids. Don't ever do shady stuff involving money. Don't ever let hate lead you to hurt those who care about you. Don't ever compromise who you are for someone else. Do find someone who makes your stomach twist, who makes your head fuzzy, who you can tell anything to, and loves you for who you are-flaws and all. Thank you for always being my little cheerleaders. I love you so much.
To Katie Ashley. The word fuck is mentioned in some variation 528 times in this book. I know you're fist pumping me somewhere at this moment with a grin on your face. Thanks for never giving up on me, for always believing in me, for pushing me to push myself.