MARY FORD
Author and Former Editor
About Mary Ford
Mary Ford is a retired, award-winning journalist who spent twenty-eight years as the editor of two successful, small-town newspapers in Massachusetts. She lives in Scituate, Mass. with her English Cocker Spaniel, George. “Rebecca Road” is Mary’s second novel. Her first novel “Boy at the Crossroads” was published in 2021.
Mary is available to give book talks and signings, and would very much like her book to be part of a book club read.
Journey as an Author
Mary Ford began her career in journalism with the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Ill. When her husband’s job took them to Massachusetts, she was hired as a reporter for the Mariner Newspapers, based in Marshfield, Mass.
In 1992, she was promoted to editor of two community newspapers, the Cohasset Mariner and the Hingham Journal. She served as editor until her retirement in September 2018.
Images – Mary Ford’s Retirement from Hingham Journal, 2018; Video of Mary’s Retirement Party; Mary Ford with Veteran’s Award
After retirement from newspapers, Mary discovered writing groups through the Meetup online service. There she connected with fellow writers who shared and critiqued each other’s work.
Mary also took several classes at Grub Street, the Boston creative writing center.
Learning from both aspiring writers and professionals, Mary dove into drafting “Boy at the Crossroads.” The discipline she acquired from years of meeting deadlines, helped her focus on getting the book written.
Her book began as a memoir but, through advice of a Grub Street instructor, she learned that it was in actuality a novel. “Boy at the Crossroads” will not only appeal to the Young Adult reader but to all ages. It’s an American story about a poor boy who comes from a hardscrabble background and makes it through.
Images – Mary Ford, Grand Marshall of July 4th Parade, Hingham MA; Grub Street Creative Writing Center, Boston, Ma; Boy at Crossroads cover and excerpt
Mary’s second novel, “Rebecca Road,” was inspired by the shipwreck of the Italian freighter, Etrusco, in March of 1956 in her Scituate neighborhood. As a second grader, she watched the salvage operation daily after school and during the summer and fall. What could be more appealing than a love story about a shipwreck, a young Irish American widow, and a handsome Italian sailor?
Images – Rebecca Road bookcover; Mary at the commemorative Etrusco rock. Mary and her English Cocker Spaniel, George, at Scituate Lighthouse
Boy at the Crossroads is based on a true story
Fictionalized by Conley’s wife Mary, Boy at the Crossroads is an adventurous coming-of-age novel about making it on your own and overcoming a hardscrabble childhood. Learn more about Conley Ford, the inspiration for this story here:
Q&A for Mary Ford
How did being an editor affect your transition to an author?
My experience as an editor helped me become a better writer. Over the years, I edited every type of story and submission imaginable. I know not to be too wordy.
What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Learn everything you can from writing groups and classes. Be open to criticism and listen. But most of all, get down to the business of writing. Don’t procrastinate!
What are some fun facts about you?
- My husband and I were married in Los Angeles. We were on the Newlywed Game with host Bob Eubanks back in 1972-1973. We came in last and were invited back to the Alumni game and came in last again. Our incompatibility lasted 50 years!
- I used to be a runner and completed two marathons in the 1980s, the Twin Cities Marathon and the Chicago Marathon.
- Through my husband’s career, we were transferred nine times in 16 years that included stints in Japan, France, and England.
- I taught English as a second language in Yokohama, Japan and Minneapolis.
- I really enjoy reading non-fiction. Malcolm Gladwell is one of my favorites. In terms of fiction, great authors are too many to mention. I recently re-read “The Outsiders” by S. E. Hinton. It was amazing she wrote that in high school! I also reread “To Kill a Mockingbird” with my granddaughter. It is one of the best!
- I grew up in Scituate, Mass. where I now live. When my husband’s job transferred us to Massachusetts in 1987, he agreed that Scituate was the best town to plant our roots as a family.
Rebecca Road
Now available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle ebook
A Boy at The Crossroads
Now available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle ebook