Mary O'Dell

Photo credit:     E. Gail Chandler

Appalachian born and raised, Mary O’Dell, poet with a crotchety black cat and an ageless heart, would live in a treehouse but there’s not one big enough for all her books. Besides, at her age it would be a foolhardy venture.  Instead, she allows that heart out on a regular basis to perch (sometimes warily) on her sleeve. The cat sleeps safe and sound on her chest at night.

Mary is founder and president of Green River Writers, Inc., which offers retreat and critiquing sessions year-round. Her mentoring series in poetry and memoir happen in cafes and coffee shops in and around Louisville, Kentucky.

Mary has several poetry collections to her credit, among them Poems for the Man Who Weighs Light and Living in the Body from Mellen Poetry Press and The Dangerous Man and What I Can Count On by Finishing Line Press.

The Sweet Letting Go, was published in November by Turquoise Morning Press, tells the story of two damaged people whose burgeoning relationship allows them to heal and learn to love even as tragedy encroaches.

Mary is at work on a new novel, a family saga and love story that takes place in the West Virginia coalfields in the thirties and forties.

Reviews

“The author tells a story about difficult yet universal subjects with both realism and grace.”

—An Amazon Review

“…the women’s fiction novel you’ve been waiting to read.”

—Maddie James, Romance Author

“I wept through this entire book. From moment one, it becomes clear to the reader what is going to happen and it was only the incredibly beautiful way Mary O’Dell wrote this touching, poignant tale that kept me reading… I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be absorbed into a world that will leave them changed and that they will never forget. Incredibly good read.”

—Happily Ever After Review, 5 Tea Cups

“…without a doubt the best story I've read in a long time!”

—Barb McMakin, Poet

“…a tender romance, a story of love reclaimed late in life…story of familial love and forgiveness.”

—Sherry Chandler, Poet

Read more about The Sweet Letting Go.