Marcía grew up in Far Rockaway with her Sephardic (Spanish-Jewish) family. Living next to a beach, she swam before she walked and fell in love with the ocean.

​

Marcia enjoyed collecting seashells, building sandcastles, and riding the waves with her dad.  One day, she spotted a mermaid. When she arrived home, she wrote and drew a story called, simply, My Mermaid. Her family loved the story, but it was only her Nuna who believed the tale. Then, Marcia realized who she got her imagination and love for her Spanish heritage from. Writing became an important pastime, particularly after her father died.

​

When Marcia’s mom remarried an artist, she moved with her family to the

suburbs. He encouraged her to study art history. Their family often vacationed

to see famous art exhibits, like Van Gogh and Picasso. Her mom, who adored

literature, encouraged Marcia to pursue a writing career. Get Me out of This Story was inspired by her nephew Sam, who was a bit of a mischief maker.