Born in Toronto, Canada and educated there, Mary Hughes came to writing fiction by a long and circuitous route. Early careers in theatre in the UK and Canada and television production in Canada, were followed by several years in association management where she acquired skills in marketing, public relations, meeting planning and editing.

Concurrent with those activities she began to research and write FRANK WELSMAN, CANADIAN CONDUCTOR (2006), an effort to correct the accepted history of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Next up was an account of her amazing life aboard a floating house in the inner harbour of Victoria, B.C. There were many good stories to tell and so she wrote THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE FLOATHOUSE ZASTROZZI. At the same time Ms. Hughes was producing dozens of articles for various trade magazines as well as producing and editing newsletters.

About ten years ago she acquired a copy of the inside cover of her grandmother's Bible. Violet Courtenaye had recorded some key facts about her early life and one was entirely fascinating. "Went to Germany, May 1891", wrote 16 year old Violet. This was an irresistible invitation to explore Violet's world and to imagine her life.

Ms. Hughes makes her home on Salt Spring Island with her husband Dr. Alan Hughes. Between them they have six children and six grandchildren. Taking up the violin was part of her research and she now plays with a small, amateur, string ensemble