
About the Author Mary Ruth Hughes currently resides in southern California near her three sons. Her only daughter lives in Oklahoma. Tishomingo, came as a result of the many stories she heard while growing up in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Capitol of the Chickasaw Nation. Mary Ruth attended Bethel Mennonite College and Wichita State University in Kansas. During the late '70s and early '80's she was a free lance writer for several magazines. (Westways, California Highway Patrolman, Treasure Magazine, Listen Magazine, Good Old Days, Highlander and etc.) During this time, Mary Ruth took a writing workshop with Louis L'Amour in Los Angeles. Mr. L'Amour explained that writing a historical novel is very difficult because no matter how hard you try to get all the history correct, some historian will come along and point out mistakes. With this is mind, Mary Ruth did extensive historical research while writing Tishomingo. The highlight of her hard work can be attributed to Oklahoma Historian Bob Burke's critical review of Tishomingo in the OKLAHOMAN dated January 13, 2008. Mary Ruth's first children's book, Willow Flower's Gift, is a story of how a Native American woman’s unselfish gift preserved her tribe’s unique beading method. She and DiAne H. Gillespie, Artist/Illustrator, collaborated to create this lovely Native American tale. Mary Ruth's second children's book, The Old Toad, is now available to purchase. *The Old Toad* is a delightful children’s picture book that will put a smile on everyone’s face. This charming tale takes place in the south’s bayou country. *The Old Toad* story has been set to Cajun music which can be heard on the accompanying music CD. Mary Ruth and DiAne enjoyed the "process" so much they have decided to produce seven more children's books in a series they will call, Halloween Haunts. The next book will be a combination of two stories called; Junk Food Mummy and Ghost Dancin' Zydeco featuring an accompanying music CD due to be released later this year. A sequel to Tishomingo, Tishomingo: The Following Years, is in the pre-production stage. MRH at the First Americans in the Arts Awards Beverly Hillton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA The "Willow Flower" is a carved branch of wood, usually taken from a willow tree, crafted in the image of a blooming flower. Typically, willow flowers were carved by Chickasaw men as gifts for loved ones. Mary Ruth has chosen the symbol of crossed willow flowers as a icon to define her works.

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About the Author

Mary Ruth Hughes currently resides in southern California near her three sons. Her only daughter lives in Oklahoma.

Tishomingo, came as a result of the many stories she heard while growing up in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Capitol of the Chickasaw Nation.

Author's picture

Mary Ruth attended Bethel Mennonite College and Wichita State University in Kansas. During the late '70s and early '80's she was a free lance writer for several magazines. (Westways, California Highway Patrolman, Treasure Magazine, Listen Magazine, Good Old Days, Highlander and etc.) During this time, Mary Ruth took a writing workshop with Louis L'Amour in Los Angeles. Mr. L'Amour explained that writing a historical novel is very difficult because no matter how hard you try to get all the history correct, some historian will come along and point out mistakes. With this is mind, Mary Ruth did extensive historical research while writing Tishomingo. The highlight of her hard work can be attributed to Oklahoma Historian Bob Burke's critical review of Tishomingo in the OKLAHOMAN dated January 13, 2008.

Mary at a signing

Mary Ruth's first children's book, Willow Flower's Gift, is a story of how a Native American woman’s unselfish gift preserved her tribe’s unique beading method. She and DiAne H. Gillespie, Artist/Illustrator, collaborated to create this lovely Native American tale.

Mary Ruth's second children's book, The Old Toad, is now available to purchase. The Old Toad is a delightful children’s picture book that will put a smile on everyone’s face. This charming tale takes place in the south’s bayou country. The Old Toad story has been set to Cajun music which can be heard on the accompanying music CD. Mary Ruth and DiAne enjoyed the "process" so much they have decided to produce seven more children's books in a series they will call, Halloween Haunts. The next book will be a combination of two stories called; Junk Food Mummy and Ghost Dancin' Zydeco featuring an accompanying music CD due to be released later this year.

A sequel to Tishomingo, Tishomingo: The Following Years, is in the pre-production stage.

Mary Ruth at the First American's in the Arts Awards
MRH at the First Americans in the Arts Awards
Beverly Hillton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA

crossed willow flowers

The "Willow Flower" is a carved branch of wood, usually taken from a willow tree, crafted in the image of a blooming flower. Typically, willow flowers were carved by Chickasaw men as gifts for loved ones. Mary Ruth has chosen the symbol of crossed willow flowers as a icon to define her works.