Bio: 552 words
Last updated: August 16, 2023
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio was born with a pen in her hand. She learned to love words while listening to her father read from an old copy of the Oxford Book of Verse that he had purchased at a book sale. She still has that treasured book.
At the age of 30, Dr. MaryAnn discerned God’s call on her life to write for Him. She surrendered to that call and, thereby, began the exciting journey of discovering and fulfilling God’s purpose for her life. That journey took her from writing non-fiction for magazines and newspapers to writing compelling fiction that explores the deepest issues of the human heart. In the process she is learning to know and love God in a profound and intimate way.
Dr. Diorio earned her PhD in French from the University of Kansas, her MA in Italian Language and Literature from Middlebury College, and her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She is a diplomate of the Institute of Children’s Literature and has won numerous writing awards, including Third Place in the AMY Writing Awards Program; First Place in Inspirational Novel, Space Coast Launching a Star Contest (2011); Second Place in Historical Novel, Romance Writers’ Ink Where the Magic Begins Contest (2011); and First Place in Inspirational Novel, Colorado RWA Heart of the Rockies Contest (2011). He novel, In Black and White, won First Place in Historical Fiction in the 2020 Christian Indie Book Award Contes. Her latest novel, Miracle in Milan, was a Finalist in the Romantic Suspense Category of the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Awards Contest. She has written two novellas: A Christmas Homecoming and Surrender to Love, and several short stories, including “Fire-Engine Love,” “The Antique Clock,” and “Blind Date.”
MaryAnn’s articles have appeared in over 100 publications, including The Saturday Evening Post, Human Events, Billy Graham’s Decision Magazine, and The Press of Atlantic City.
MaryAnn has appeared on several radio, television, and Internet talk shows, including the popular Christian Authors Show with Danielle Hampson, the nation-wide LeSea Alive program with the late Dr. Lester Sumrall, By the Book hosted by Debbie Williams, Women of Grace hosted by Kelly McCausey, The Story Behind the Story, hosted by Andrea Boeshaar, and The Rich Zeoli Show on Philadelphia Talk Radio 1210 AM. She has also been interviewed on WDAS (Philadelphia), WIBG (South Jersey), and WNNN (South Jersey). Articles about her writing have appeared in The Press of Atlantic City, The Daily Journal, The Millville News, The Bridgeton Evening News, and The Times Herald of her hometown of Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. MaryAnn has served as a distinguished judge for the annual AMY Writing Awards Program, the annual Capitol Writers Writing Contest (Washington, DC area), the annual American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis Contest., and the ACFW First Impressions Contest. She is listed in International Who’s Who, Who’s Who in the East, International Authors and Writers Who’s Who, Dictionary of International Biography, The World Who’s Who of Women, Who’s Who in the World, The International Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women, The National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. Most important of all, MaryAnn rejoices that she is listed in The Lamb’s Book of Life!
A widely published author, Dr. Diorio has taught writing online for Rowan University and Regent University. Her stories for children have appeared in several magazines.
MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her husband Dom. They are blessed with two magnificent daughters, two very smart sons-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. When not writing, MaryAnn enjoys painting, playing the piano and mandolin.
You may reach MaryAnn at info@maryanndiorio.com or at maryanndiorio.com.
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Copyright 2000-2023 by MaryAnn Diorio All Rights Reserved.