Check out MaryAnn’s blog on fiction writing at www.thewritepower.blogspot.com.  You’ll learn about the various elements of writing fiction. You’ll even get to post comments and ask questions.

Recent News:

MaryAnn recently signed with Terry Burns of the Hartline Literary Agency.  Mr. Burns will represent her in the area of women’s fiction, starting with her recently completed novel, The Madonna of Pisano, the first in the projected trilogy entitled The Italian Chronicles.

MaryAnn’s novel, The Madonna of Pisano, took First Place in the Inspirational Category of the 2011 Colorado RWA Heart of the Rockies Contest for Unpublished Authors. Her novel also took Second Place in the Historical Category of the 2011 RWI Where the Magic Begins Contest and is a finalist in the Inspirational Category of the 2011 Space Coast Launching a Star Contest (STAR).

MaryAnn’s article entitled “Coping with Criticism” appeared in the November16, 2011 issue of Rigth-to-the-Heart-Ezine.

MaryAnn is currently working on revisions for her novella entitled Surrender to Love.

MaryAnn’s short story for children, entitled A Surprise for Robbie, appeared in the May issue of Bumples Magazine.

MaryAnn’s article, Five Fiction Facts, appears in the March 2010 issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine. To read the article, please click here.

Check out MaryAnn’s three books for junior high school students A Student’s Guide to Nathaniel Hawthorne, A Student’s Guide to Herman Melville, and A Student’s Guide to Mark Twain all published by Enslow Publishers. Part of the Understanding Literature series, the books cover the lives and major works of these great American authors. Targeted to middle-grade and junior high school students, the books are being used in schools and libraries throughout the country. They are also excellent for homeschoolers.

Other published works include the following:
NOTE: All works listed are copyrighted by law. None of these articles or stories may be reproduced by any means whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. Violators will be prosecuted and subject to fine and/or imprisonment.

Fiction:
–Magnolia Memories (By Grace Publishing, 2008)
--Blind Date (Romancing the Christian Heart, February 2005)
–The Homecoming (Romancing the Christian Heart, October 2004)
–Tommy Takes the Prize (Junior Trails)
–The Ball Hog (Today’s Christian Teen; Young Generation Book of Short Stories)
–The Birthmark (Show ‘n’ Tell)

Non-Fiction:
–Five Fiction Facts (Christian Fiction Online Magazine)
–Hints for Reprints (E-zine Articles)
–Avoiding Emotional Adultery (A Time to Love Magazine)
–Conquering Jealousy in Marriage (A Time to Love Magazine)
–Courageous Parenting (A Time to Love Magazine)
–Feminist Fallacies (A Time to Love Magazine)
–The Coaching Phenomenon (Author’s Den, Ezine Articles)
–Journey with the Voices (My Book Therapy, Summer 2010)
–Identifying Learning Styles: Kinesthetic Kids (EduGuide)
–Story in Rest Stops for Busy Moms (Broadman & Holman, 2003)
–”Miss Ritter’s Bible” in Rest Stops for Teachers (Broadman & Holman, 2003)

Awards Won:
–Category Finalist in Inspirational Women’s Fiction in the East Texas Romance Writers of America (RWA) Southern Heat Contest (2009)
–Category Finalist in General Fiction in the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Genesis Contest (2006)
–Honorable Mention for Radio Script – Take One Radio Theatre Contest (1994)
–Second Place for the Novel - St. Davids Christian Writer’s Conference Contest (1992)
–$4000 Third Prize – AMY Foundation Writing Awards Program (1990)
–Fifth Place Award – National Writers’ Club Short Story Contest (1990)
–Top 100 – Writer’s Digest Short Story Contest (1990)
–Poetry Award - Catholic Daughters of America Poetry Contest (1960)

Sampling of Places Published:
–A Time to Love Magazine
–Abingdon Press
–American String Teacher
–Bethany House
–Broadman & Holman
–By Grace Publishing
–Canadian Writer’s Journal
–Christian Coaches Network
–Christian Fiction Online Magazine
–Christian Life
–Christian Parenting Today
–Cross & Quill
–Cumberland News
–Daystar Press
–Decision
–Dedicated Author
–Enslow Publishers
–God Allows U-Turns
–Harvest House
–Healthy Kids
–Human Events
–Institute of Children’s Literature Online Newsletter
–Junior Companion
–Junior Trails
–L’Esprit Createur
–Michigan Learning
–Moody Magazine
–On the Line
–Pen & Sword
–Penn & Ink
–Pentecostal Evangel
–PCM Bulletin
–Power for Living
–Risk Management Review
–Romancing the Christian Heart
–Show ‘n’ Tell Magazine
–SpiritLed Writer
–Spring Hill Review
–Sprouts
–Standard
–Sunday Digest
–Sword & Plume
–The Atlantic City Press
–The Christian Communicator
–The Daystar Discipler
–The Gem
–The King’s Pages
–The Lampstand
–The Optimist
–The Saturday Evening Post
–The Wonder Years
–Thomas Nelson Publishers
–Today’s Christian Teen
–TopNotch Press
–Virtue
–Vision
–WIN Newsletter
–Young Generation Book of Short Stories
–Zoomer & Co.

Books Published:
–A Student’s Guide to Nathaniel Hawthorne (Enslow, 2004)
–A Student’s Guide to Herman Melville (Enslow, 2006)
–A Student’s Guide to Mark Twain (Enslow, 2008)
–Making Your Marriage Work (Daystar Press, 2003)
–Writing Fiction for Children (Daystar Press, 2000)
–Writing Non-Fiction for Children (Daystar Press, 2000)
–Selling Yourself on You: Discovering God’s Will for Your Life (Daystar Press, 1989)
–Balancing Your Budget God’s Way (Daystar Press, (1987)
–Dating Etiquette for Christian Teens (Daystar Press, 1984)Contributor to:
–God Answers Moms’ Prayers (Harvest House, 2005)
–The Heart of a Teacher (Bethany House, 2005)
–Rest Stops for Busy Moms (Broadman & Holman, 2003)
–Rest Stops for Teachers (Broadman & Holman, 2003),
–My Turn to Care (Thomas Nelson, 1994)
–Religious Writer’s Marketplace (Abingdon, 1993)

Audio-Cassettes on Writing
–Discovering God’s Will for Your Writing (Daystar Press)
–Commercial Writing: A Well-Kept Secret (Daystar Press)

Radio and Television Interviews:
–Women by Grace Radio Talk Show (Kelly McCausey)
–WDAS (Philadelphia) (Ed Jones Talk Show)
–By the Book Radio (Debbie Williams)-August 13, 2005
–Off the Cuff (The Paul Hunsberger Show, WSNJ, Bridgeton, NJ)
–LeSea Alive (Lester Sumrall Ministries, South Bend, Indiana)
–WIBG (Ocean City, NJ)

Professional Appointments:
–International Who’s Who
–Who’s Who in the East
–International Authors and Writers Who’s Who
–Dictionary of International Biograph
–The World Who’s Who of Women
–Who’s Who in the World
–International Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women
–The Nationwide Registry of Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses
–Who’s Who of American Women
–Who’s Who in America
–Who’s Who in Finance and Business

Professional Memberships:
–American Christian Fiction Writers
–American Association of Christian Counselors
–Christian Coaches Network
–International Association of Coaches (IAC)
–International Coach Federation (ICF)
–Kingdom Chamber of Commerce
–New Jersey Professional Coaches’ Association (NJCPA)
–Romance Writers of America (RWA)
–New Jersey Romance Writers of America (NJRWA)
–The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)
–The New Jersey Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (NJSCBWI)

June 18-23, 2000
St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference (Geneva College)
Writing for Children
Life Management for Writers
Keynote Address

November 4, 1999
Christian Writers’ Club Internet Chat
Self-Image and the Writer

April 29-30, 1994
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Spring Seminar
Writing for Women

October 6, 1993
Sandy Cove Christian Writers’ Conference

June 25, 1992
35th Annual St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference
Writing for the Secular Market

May 8-9, 1992
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Spring Seminar
Paid Critiques

April 11, 1992
St. Davids Christian Writers’ Seminar (Howell, NJ)
Keynote Address: The Writer As Visionary

June 8-10, 1990
42nd Annual Philadelphia Writers’ Conference
Inspirational Writing (Three-day workshop)

November 16, 1989
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship
Time Management for Writers

July 15, 1989
Fairton Christian Center Writers’ Workshop
The Basics of Article Writing

March 28, 1987
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Spring Seminar
The Basics of Article Writing