Maxwell Burnham began as a painter, layering pigments to find truth in light. He writes the same way—slowly, with care—seeking the voice of a place before the voice of a character. Martha — The Vineyard Legend grew from his time reading archives, walking the island’s paths, and listening for the stories that survive in land and language.
His work centers on heritage, responsibility, and the ways young people carry history forward. To tell Martha’s story with integrity, Maxwell consulted historical sources and prioritized respectful portrayal of Wampanoag culture, noting where the book blends folklore and fiction. The goal is not to speak for a community, but to steward a story.
When he’s not writing, you’ll find him sketching coastal light, cataloging old nautical terms, or test-reading pages aloud to see where the breath catches.