M.L. Rio

M. L. Rio is an author of literary and upmarket fiction. She is best known for her debut novel If We Were Villains, which was published in 2017, and has since become an international bestseller, published in twenty countries and fifteen languages.

M. L. Rio was born in Miami and raised in North Carolina by parents from California. Her writing career began in elementary school with Reading Rainbow’s Young Writers and Illustrators Contest and a story about a girl with a pet dragon and the problem of how to hide it from her parents.

She delved into her passion for literature, theater, and creative writing during her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature, with a focus on Dramatic Art. During this time, she actively collaborated with undergraduate and professional theater companies on campus, further enriching her understanding of storytelling and its various forms.

M. L. Rio also holds an MA in Shakespeare studies from King’s College London and Shakespeare’s Globe, and a PhD in English literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research explores representations of madness and mood disorders in the early modern stage.

The debut novel, If We Were Villains, was published by Flatiron Books in 2017. At the heart of this captivating story lies a compelling murder mystery that entangles the life of Oliver Marks, a once-promising actor who graced the stages of the fictional Dellecher Shakespeare Conservatory. The narrative unfolds predominantly during Oliver's crucial fourth and final year at the conservatory, where secrets and suspense intertwine to form a gripping tale.

Beyond her writing and academic pursuits, M. L. Rio's journey has been enriched by her previous experiences as an actor. She initially pursued acting but later transitioned to academia, where she found a platform to explore her interests in greater depth.

She also published her music writing in The Vinyl District.

M. L. Rio lives in Washington, D. C.

Photo credit: Cait Brady