Mary began her publishing career in the early 1970s when she wrote columns and news stories, and edited article submissions, for a family owned Michigan weekly newspaper.

From there, she worked for Gospel Light Publications in Ventura, CA as an editor for Regal Books.

While still in Ventura, Mary founded Evergreen Publications where she managed the production of eight titles.

Through Regal Books, Evergreen, and Broadman and Holman, Mary compiled and edited a number of devotional books, with more than 200,000 copies in print.

In addition, she represented Regal and Evergreen, respectively, at Christian writers’ conferences, presenting writing and publishing workshops.

In the 1990s, Mary managed the work of 25 newsroom employees at the Daily Times in Farmington, NM.

Later, Mary worked for Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, in their periodicals department as editorial assistant for Focus on the Family Clubhouse and Clubhouse, Jr. magazines, and for Focus on Your Child newsletters.

In the Spring of 2002, Mary formed Joy of Writing Literary Agency. Since then she has placed her clients' books with Moody Press, Baker, Howard, AMG and Charisma House.

Now Mary works primarily as a writer's coach and workshop presenter.

In her community, Mary serves on the Christian Emphasis Committee at Countryside YMCA in Lebanon, Ohio, and volunteers at the local humane society. 

She is a member of The Christian PEN (Proofreaders and Editors Network), Lebanon Area Writers and M.A.C. (Middleton Area Christian writers). 

Mary loves to frequent her local coffee shop where she often meets like-minded people, those desiring to write and talk about the publishing industry.