At the request of River House Books in Carmel, California, Mary joined local authors Scotty Cornfield and Evan Pellervo to discuss their short story collections. The authors read selections from their works, talked about the writing journey, and answered questions from the enthusiastic audience.  

Mary’s workshop at the Historical Novel Society Conference in June, 2023, Unexpected Allies:  Benefits of Genealogist/Historical Novelist Interaction for Research, Storytelling and Readership, was well attended and generated lively discussion. She also participated on a panel with ten other authors and sold books at the conference book fair. She loved interacting with historical novelists from all over North America and meeting several of her writing heroes. 

The Tropical Tales series had its official launch at the charming River House Books in Carmel, California. Mary thanks store manager Debra BatesGavlak and her wonderful team for their generous support for local authors. 

Mary joined Librarian Breanna Homrighausen, host of The Page Turner podcast from the Los Gatos, California Public Library, to share the inspiration and process behind her award-winning novel, In This Land of Plenty. In this engaging conversation, Mary and Breanna dive into the rich history of California that serves as the backdrop for the multi-generational saga and explore universal themes of resilience, family, strong women pioneers, and conflicts over land. Listen Now on Spotify

“Nosara is such an inspiring place to live and write,” Mary shared during her conversation with Rich Burnam on The Nosara Podcast. In the 16-minute episode, Mary opens up about her journey as an author, the joys and challenges of life in Nosara, and her passion for building community connections. From local restaurant favorites to the recent activity at Ostional Beach, Mary’s reflections offer a heartfelt glimpse into the vibrant culture and natural beauty that influence her writing and daily life. Listen Now on Spotify

On a warm February evening in 2017, Olo Alaia Surf & Brew in Nosara, Costa Rica, came alive with laughter, craft beer, and literary celebration for the launch of Mary’s first book, Fertile Soil:  Stories of the California Dream. Friends, neighbors, and visitors of all ages gathered to hear Mary share stories, connect as a community, and toast to her incredible achievement. The event highlighted Nosara’s unique charm and the power of storytelling to bring people together.

In an interview with The Tico Times, Costa Rica’s highly respected English language newspaper, Mary discusses her journey from a 30-year career in education to becoming a fiction writer, inspired by her life in California and her new home in Costa Rica. Smathers highlights the peace she finds in Costa Rica, which has fostered her creativity and productivity. She also shares advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of writing consistently and ways to overcome self-doubt. Read the Full Article

Mary was thrilled to have over 30 friends, family members, and community supporters join her at Booksmart, in Morgan Hill, California to launch her first book, a collection of short stories entitled Fertile Soil:  Stories of the California Dream.