Mary A. Byron

Mary Byron is an award-winning screenwriter, author and public affairs specialist with over 25 years’ experience in the global arena. She shares her stories of international diplomatic events based on her personal experiences of living and working in a dozen cities around the world. Her debut book "No Ordinary Life", the first in the trilogy series, takes place in South Africa, followed by Switzerland, Malta and beyond. Daughter of a Mortician, Mary and her seven siblings grew up in the upper Red River Valley in Minnesota. Hesitantly declining her father's offer to take over the family funeral business, she moved to the Twin Cities then kept going west where she worked in diplomatic affairs around the world on various assignments in Africa and Europe. In addition to her U.S. Embassy work, Mary focuses on her unique global experiences to produce high-profile projects, partnering with entertainment, corporate and nonprofit organizations. Her debut book, "No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid", is receiving Five-star reviews and is available worldwide. She has adapted her book to script with the goal to share her titillating global stories of intrigue to a larger global audience. Her first script has won seven screenwriting finalist awards. When not traveling, Mary’s basecamp is in Colorado, where she resides with her secret agent husband and adopted pets. Accolades Highlights (screenwriting) Quarterfinalist, PAGE Awards - PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Competition 2023 Quarterfinalist, PAGE Awards - PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Competition 2022 Second Rounder, Austin Film Festival 2021 Semifinalist, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards 2022 Spring Quarterfinalist, ScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition 2022 Top 50, Roadmap Writers - Top Tier Competition 2021/2022 Top 3% Red List Coverfly Accolade Highlights (book) Semifinalist, ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition 2023 Top 25, Roadmap Writers - Roadmap's Write Start Manuscript Competition 2021

Unique traits: Unique? What's unique anymore... I lived in my family-owned funeral home with seven siblings and dozens of caskets. Leaving that unique business behind, I moved on to twelve locations internationally, and have boatload of diplomatic stories of intrigue to share. And now, after my special agent is retired, it's time to share! Author + Screenwriter + Producer