Born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Mary Ellen’s first ‘published’ piece was a story about a boy who turns the color blue for no reason whatsoever. Mrs. Gardner, Mary Ellen’s third grade teacher, pinned it to the bulletin board for everyone to read. This filled young Mary Ellen with exhilaration and pride. She has been chasing that feeling ever since.

After graduating from Wauwatosa East High School, Mary Ellen went on to Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin—one of the few colleges at that time that offered an English Composition major.  She enjoyed a semester in England, during which she studied the Victorian Age and ale.

Upon graduating, Mary Ellen moved back to Wauwatosa then to the beautiful east side of Milwaukee. Six short and fun filled years later, she  followed her heart to Colorado. It was there she met the love of her life, a dog named Lucy, and also the man that is now her husband. During this time, she worked a series of jobs—the best of which was managing a bookstore—and learned to cross-country ski.

The millennium arrived and with it a decision to relocate. Mary Ellen was lucky to be in love with a supportive man who was willing to work while she wrote full time. Lucy was her muse. Mary Ellen now lives in Waterloo, South Carolina, in a quiet cove on a man-made lake. She has published stories in several literary magazines, links to which can be found under the Published Works section.  Under a Gibbous Moon is her second novel. She is hoping to acquire an agent or publisher for this work soon.

In the meantime, she continues to write while working on her third book. An active member of the South Carolina Writer’s Workshop, she enjoys her critique group and attending the Hub City Writing in Place Workshop. Mary Ellen still feels the exhilaration of her youth whenever a piece of her work is published.

Thank you, Mrs. Gardner, wherever you are.

Sadly, Lucy has crossed over to doggie heaven but she will always live in our hearts. She was kind enough to send us two other girls to take up the slack. Julee & Thelma have found a safe place with us after rough beginnings. They are less muses, more cheerleaders. If only they had pom-poms!