About

Mary Morris

Writer, Editor, Proofreader

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Hi, I’m Mary.

After earning an MFA in creative writing (fiction) from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2003, I spent several years working as a copy editor, freelance writer, and newspaper reporter (as Mary McGlasson) while raising my daughter, Selena. Later, I entered academia and served as an English professor at a rural community college for twelve years–during which time I remarried, built a house, and birthed two more children (Hazel and Neil). I continued writing fiction and nonfiction during this time, publishing short works in various literary journals and completing my first novel.

I left full-time teaching in 2021 to focus my energies on writing, editing, and proofreading. I have completed one novel (contemporary romance) and am working on my second. Meanwhile, I also co-author urban fantasy/paranormal romance novels with my best friend; the first book in our Daughters of Hecate series, MIRROR WITCH, will be published by City Owl Press in 2023, and our zombie-apocalypse romance, DEAD WEIGHT, will be published by Yonder/Webtoons in later in 2023.

(To learn more about Phoebe, check out her website: https://www.phoebewalkerwrites.com/.)

In addition to writing, editing, and proofreading fiction and nonfiction, I ghostwrite nonfiction books for Scribe Media. I live in the wilds of southeastern Illinois with my husband, my children, and miscellaneous cats.

What I Do

Professional Experience

Freelance Scribe/Ghostwriter at Scribe Media
(current)
Writing book-length manuscripts in a variety of nonfiction genres using creation models adapted to the needs of the author (chapter-by-chapter or full manuscript)

Editor/Proofreader/Owner at Ibis Editorial and Design
(2021-2022)
Developmental and line editing, proofreading, and beta reading of full and partial manuscripts, querying materials, and copy of all kinds

Assistant Professor of English and Humanities at Frontier Community College
(2009-2021)
Developed and taught composition, creative writing, literature, speech, and humanities courses

Reporter/Columnist/Editor at Olney Daily Mail (as Mary McGlasson)
(2005-2008)
Wrote general-interest and news articles, weekly columns, news briefs, obituaries, and announcements; assisted in editing and proofreading all newspaper copy

Freelance Writer (as Mary McGlasson)
(2005-2009)
Researched and wrote materials for CommunityLink tourism magazines/books and articles for the Southern Illinoisan, Nightlife, and Murphysboro American

Technical Writer at SchoolCenter (as Mary McGlasson)
(2005)
Wrote and edited user manuals for K-12 educational software and learning management systems; proofed and beta tested educational websites

Editorial Assistant at the Southern Illinoisan (as Mary McGlasson)
(2004-2005)
Wrote and managed materials for news briefs, obituaries, and social announcements; wrote freelance human-interest articles

Proofreader and Copy Editor at CommunityLink (as Mary McGlasson)
(2003-2004)
Proofread, edited, and wrote copy for tourism magazines, books, maps, and pamphlets; proofread and edited in-house ad copy