Mary Harwell Sayler has studied the Bible, loved the church, and written poems since early childhood in TN. She’s a highly ecumenical Christian poet, children’s writer, nature writer, health writer, and inspirational writer of fiction and nonfiction who enjoys researching, especially biblical topics.
Since 1983 she’s worked with beginners and also well-published poets and writers, first through home study courses and writing workshops and now through this website, her professional critique service, and quick thoughts and prayers on Twitter about God, nature, poetry, and a poetic life.

 Publishing Credits:

• Over 300 poems published in a variety of print and Internet poetry journals, anthologies, and periodicals, such as Dovetail, Bridges, Windhover, Kalliope, Capper’s, Mediphors, Icarus, Pegasus Review, Princeton Arts Review, Cross & Quill, and National Catholic Reporter
   
• 25 books of fiction, nonfiction, and devotionals published by traditional publishers, such as Zondervan, Baker Books, Broadman, Concordia, and Facts On File
   
• Hundreds of articles, children’s stories, Bible stories, word games, and church curriculum for denominational and interdenominational presses with a focus on Bible people, Bible topics, writing tips, poetry writing, and the practical concerns of spiritual, mental, and physical health
   
• Regular columns on a wide range of topics
  including Holy Scripture, poetry, writing, parenting, natural health and “Bible Talk.” (Look for columns soon with the web-based Christian publishing syndicate, Churchmouse.)
   
• Patient handout sheets on various medical conditions, tests, treatments, and procedures as well as other writing projects related to health or preventative health care.

 Writing Related Work Or Awards:

• In 1983, Mary began working with other poets and writers through correspondence study programs and critiques.
   
• For 4 years, she directed Christian Writers Fellowship International and edited/published the CWFI newsletter.
   
• In 1988, she taught poetry and fiction workshops at the first Christian Writers Conference in Titusville, FL, and again led workshops in 1991.
   
• In 1997-8, Mary became the first poetry judge for annual Christian Writers Conferences in Glorietta, NM.
   
• In 1999, she presented poetry workshops at the Christian Writers Conference in Birmingham, AL.
   
• In 1999, she was accepted for a poetry apprenticeship with a Pulitzer finalist at the Atlantic Center For The Arts.
   
• In 1999, Mary began judging poetry entries in the international writing competitions sponsored each year by www.writers-editors.com and in 2001 began to judge manuscripts entered in all genres for children.
   
• In 2002, she was Featured Poet at a FL art museum.
   
• In 2005, Two Friends Publishing featured her work.
   
• In 2005, she was featured by FL Chapter of Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).
   
• In 2005, the FL Committee for the National Museum for Women in the Arts (NMWA) featured her work.
   
• In 2006, Mary received news that her life-health encyclopedia on muscles and bones had been honored as a nonfiction academic favorite for the year by the American Library Association.

 Personal Information

• Born in middle Tennessee; Mary’s family moved to central Florida during school years.
   
• Attended FSU then later received Bachelor of Science degree with high honors in holistic nutrition/ natural health.
   
• Often be found in the kitchen playing with herbs or helping her husband restore their 105-year-old home in NE FL where the only honking traffic comes from sandhill cranes.

Poems

Some of Mary’s previously published poems provide examples for Poetry Tips and Bible-Based Poems & Tips.

Several poems from her Winning The Wars chapbook of poetry set during WWII appear on IWVPA -- the International War Veterans’ Poetry Archives website. For more poems posted online, click onto the hotlinks below:

“Embryonic” published in Princeton Arts Review

“Four Corners Come” in the National Catholic Reporter

 “Middle-Aged Mother Goes Up, Up, Up With Champagne After” originally in Kalliope and reprinted in Slow Trains

“Re: Deemed,” “Wait!,” “Choosing Judah” & other poems on Catholic Exchange

Articles & Columns

“Bible Talk” - Q&A column originally published and now archived on Catholic Exchange

“How To Judge Your Manuscripts For Children” - Tips to help you judge your own work before entering a contest or sending your poems or manuscript to an editor

“Notes On Judging A Poetry Contest” - Tips to help you judge and revise your poems before submitting them to an editor or poetry competition

“Writing & Editing Poems for Christian Readers” - Tips to help you revise your poetry or select and edit poems by others for publication

 Books In Print

About Being Catholic - Written especially for dads, this book of lively activities and kid-friendly discussions can also help moms, grandparents, and others to introduce young children to the Roman Catholic faith.

Encyclopedia of the Back & Spine Systems & Disorders - life-health encyclopedia about neck, upper back, and lumbar regions of the spine, published by Facts On File in 2007

 Encyclopedia of Muscle & Skeletal Systems & Disorders Facts On File 2005.

Poetry: Taking Its Course - Book version of the poetry correspondence course Mary wrote and used for years in working with poetry students

What A Body! - This ecumenical guide helps you plan a spiritual renewal weekend on the God-given ministry gifts that upbuild the Body of Christ, the Church.