About T.G. Monahan
a Judge Advocate officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and a veteran of the Iraq War, Todd brings a unique blend of legal and military expertise to his writing and consulting. He is a graduate of Rutgers University (B.A.) and Albany Law School (J.D.), and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at New England College. Todd is dedicated to fostering authenticity in fiction, particularly in settings involving legal and military themes, and is passionate about guiding aspiring writers through their creative journeys.
My journey towards becoming a 'real' writer began in 2010... I studied under Mr. Edgerton, and his protégé M" aegan Beaumont... My first novel, The Vexing Heirloom (2017), was written directly under his tutelage.
T. G. Monahan
Meet Your Consulting Editor
Todd G. Monahan
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a storyteller. To this day I can recall with vivid details the sense of wonder I felt watching Star Wars, Jim Henson’s Muppets, and The Ten Commandments for the first time. I was an eager reader, devouring the works of Agatha Christie, Jules Verne, and Charles Dickens. But it was my discovery of J.R.R. Tolkien, in 1991, and the boundless possibilities his works opened before me, which galvanized my mind. I knew then that somehow, some way, I would—I must—do whatever it took to become a “real” writer.
I grew up in Hawthorne, New Jersey and attended Don Bosco Prep High School (Class of 1995), where I was a member of the National Honors Society, captain of the track team, and earned the Ironman Award for academic and athletic excellence. I then attended Rutgers University (Class of 1999) where I continued as a member of the National Honors Society and graduated with honors in History. From 1999 to 2002, I attended Albany Law School (Class of 2002), serving as editor of the Albany Law Review and seeing my first published work: Seeking the Spirit of SEQRA From Beneath the Paperwork, 65 Albany Law Rev. 539 (2001). From 2003 to 2008, I served as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Captain, and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving in Fallujah, Abu Ghraib Prison, and Baghdad from September 2004 through March 2005. Since 2008, I have practiced law in upstate New York, specializing in criminal defense and family law.
My journey towards becoming a “real” writer began in 2010, when I attended a pitch conference by New York Writers’ Workshop. This is where I met Jenny Milchman, author of mystery novels such as Ruin Falls (2014) and Wicked River (2018), who in turn introduced me to the man who would become my mentor, Les Edgerton. Mr. Edgerton was a well-known writer in the thrillers/noir fiction genre, as well as the author of instructional works such as Hooked (2007) and Finding Your Voice (2012). I studied under Mr. Edgerton, and his protégé Maegan Beaumont, the successful author of the “Sabrina Vaughn” mystery series of novels, from 2012 to 2016. My first novel, The Vexing Heirloom (2017), was written directly under his tutelage.
A theme that has always fascinated me, and which I explore in my writing, is the process by which history becomes folk history and, eventually, legend. Residing in one of the oldest regions of the country, I am surrounded by history which has passed into legend: Uncle Sam, the Dutch colonial origins of Santa Claus, Jane McCrae, and the Esperance Witch, to name a few. One of my goals as a storyteller is to bring these sometimes obscure stories to life for new generations, to explore the reality beneath the mythology, and better understand the process by which they are transformed over time into the legends we know.
Another matter of importance to me is the accurate portrayal of the American legal system, for better or for worse, with an eye towards the public having a better understanding of the same. Courtroom drama, I believe, can be a powerful medium through which to tell stories; however, from my experience, this is often done inaccurately, to maximize drama, an unfortunate side effect of which is unrealistic expectations about our legal system. Along these lines, another goal of mine is to present unvarnished depictions of the people who inhabit the legal system, attorneys in particular, and the mental health struggles unique to them. In doing this, I hope to advocate for positive change throughout the profession.
Additionally, I hope to help make writing and publishing more accessible to others. I was fortunate to have some wonderful, selfless mentors in my journey towards publication, and I vowed that I would repay that kindness to the next generation. As an author and an attorney, I’ve encountered many people who wish to become authors themselves but just don’t quite know where to start. I want to be a competent, qualified resource for such aspiring storytellers, opening doors for those who might otherwise never take the first step.
Storyline
1999
Graduated Rutgers University with Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History
2000
Commissioned 2d Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
2002
Graduated Albany Law School with Juris Doctorate (JD)
2004-05
Served as judge advocate (military lawyer) in Fallujah, Abu Ghraib, and Bagdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom
2008
Returned to civilian life and practice of law in New York’s Capital Region
2012
Served as Assistant Attorney General, New York State
2017
Publication of first novel, The Vexing Heirloom
2018
Publication of second novel, Dreamin’ in ‘89
2019
Served as Director, Legal Services, Office of the Professions, New York State Education Department
2025
Founded Monahan Law, a private law firm, located in Cobleskill, New York
2025
Anticipated publication of third novel, Dodecahedron
2027
Anticipated graduated New England College with Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing
