Career

Marianne Monson has always been fascinated by the power of words, and even tried inventing her own language for a time. When that didn't pan out, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from BYU, and worked as a managing editor/art director of children’s books at a publishing house in Portland for several years. Eventually she continued her studies at Vermont College of Fine Arts with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.

Marianne is the author of eleven books and counting for children and adults, with an emphasis on Women's History in both fiction and non-fiction genres. She writes for a variety of publications, including books, magazines, books, and newspapers. Her 2016 book, "Frontier Grit," was nominated for awards including the American Library Association's Amelia Bloomer award. The companion volume, Women of the Blue and Gray: Civil War Mothers, Medics, Soldiers, and Spies, was released in 2018. She is currently at work on a historical fiction novel about Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon scheduled for the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in 2020. You can read reviews under the "press" tab of this site.

Monson has taught Creative Writing and English at Portland Community College, BYU Hawaii and teaches currently at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon. She speaks regularly at writing conferences and leads annual writing retreats. Her two children are self-confessed logophiles as well.