Mary receives the Thomas R. Leavens Distinguished Service Award from Lawyers for the Creative Arts from William Rattner, Executive Director; October, 2004.

One for the Ark
Short List Finalist, William Wisdom/William Faulkner Award for the Novel 2007

Honorable Mention, University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute
Poem/Page Contest 2006 (Fiction)

Captain Aunt
Honorable Mention, University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute
Poem/Page Contest 2006 (Nonfiction)

Saluting the Sun
Third place, University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute Poem/Page Contest 2006 (Fiction)
Top 30 out of 400, Peter Taylor Award for the Novel, 2005
First Prize, Pariah Publishing First Chapter Contest, April, 2005
Honorable Mention, ByLine Magazine First Chapter Contest, Nov., 2005
Semi-Finalist, William Faulkner/William Wisdom Award for a Novel-in-progress, 2004

An Educational Experience (The City Girls)
Semi-Finalist, William Faulkner Society Novel-in-progress competition, 2002

"The Tsunami in Iowa"
(Unpublished) Finalist, Glimmer Train, Short Story Award for New Writers, 2005

"Lawyer of the Year"
Special Honorable Mention, ByLine Magazine, Short Story, 2005

"Loyal"
Honorable Mention, ByLine Magazine, Short Story, 2005

"Zen and the Art of Spa"
Honorable Mention, ByLine Magazine, Personal Essay, 2003

"May Queen"
Honorable Mention, Writer's Digest Magazine Writing Competition-Essay 1999

"Three Hots and a Cot: A Beginner's First Retreat"
Honorable Mention, Writer's Digest Magazine Writing Competition-Essay, 1998