A dream pursued...
About the author
Mary Pat Hyland grew up in a creative upstate New York family. Her mother was a fashion illustrator/art teacher as well as a talented writer. Her siblings are skilled musicians, artists, photographers, poets, teachers and writers.
Mary Pat studied art and music at Syracuse University where she earned a BFA Illustration. She worked as a graphic artist/designer/art director for many years before a layoff forced her into a new field of work: journalism. She spent 15 years in the field, including several years as a syndicated web site columnist for Gannett News Service —her columns were carried in more than 90 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada (including USA Today).
In late 2007, Hyland left journalism to pursue a dream she'd had for more than 20 years: novelist. A month later, the novel she'd been working on for more than a decade was published. A dream came true.
Hyland's writing awards include 2013 Arts Center of Yates County Artist Residency; 2006 Best of Gannett Breaking News (staff flood coverage); 2005 First Place Editorials, New York State Associated Press; 2006 Honorable Mention Columns, N.Y.S. Associated Press; 2004 Honorable Mention Editorials, N.Y.S. Associated Press; 2004 & 2003 Special Mention Columns, Syracuse Press Club.
She resides in the Southern Tier of upstate New York. Her interests include Gaeilge—the Irish language, music, dance, gardening, Finger Lakes wines and cooking.
Mary Pat studied art and music at Syracuse University where she earned a BFA Illustration. She worked as a graphic artist/designer/art director for many years before a layoff forced her into a new field of work: journalism. She spent 15 years in the field, including several years as a syndicated web site columnist for Gannett News Service —her columns were carried in more than 90 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada (including USA Today).
In late 2007, Hyland left journalism to pursue a dream she'd had for more than 20 years: novelist. A month later, the novel she'd been working on for more than a decade was published. A dream came true.
Hyland's writing awards include 2013 Arts Center of Yates County Artist Residency; 2006 Best of Gannett Breaking News (staff flood coverage); 2005 First Place Editorials, New York State Associated Press; 2006 Honorable Mention Columns, N.Y.S. Associated Press; 2004 Honorable Mention Editorials, N.Y.S. Associated Press; 2004 & 2003 Special Mention Columns, Syracuse Press Club.
She resides in the Southern Tier of upstate New York. Her interests include Gaeilge—the Irish language, music, dance, gardening, Finger Lakes wines and cooking.