Local Author Spotlight: Mary Dezember, Ph.D.

Mary Dezember, Ph.D., is an award-winning author of stories and poetry as portals to possibilities.

Wild Conviction is her debut novel and, thus far, her life’s work. Much of the novel’s action happens in historical Evansville.

Mary entered her writing career as a journalist. Born in Evansville, she was the editor of her high school newspaper, the Reitz Mirror, and wrote features for the Evansville Sunday Courier & Press. She earned her B.A. from the University of Evansville then worked as Public Relations Specialist at Welborn Hospital.

After earning her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University, she taught English literature, writing, comparative arts, art history, and social issues for twenty-one years. Professor Emeritus of English at New Mexico Tech, she is a scholar of the arts, literature, writing, and an advocate of creativity. A lover of the beauty and power of language, she states: “We spell words and, arranged well, words can put a spell on us.”

Her novel and her two books of poetry explore the rite of passage to identity, including the hero’s emotional and intellectual quest. Mary likes to make life magical, even if that means simply cuddling a cat, channeling the muse, or reading a good book. She lives in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.

Join us in the Browning Gallery at 6:00pm on April 2nd as Dr. Dezember takes us on a journey through the pages of her thought-provoking debut novel, “Wild Conviction.” Several chapters of the novel are set in Evansville during the antebellum and early Civil War periods. Willard Carpenter is mentioned in the story, and the research acknowledgements include Willard Public Library. A brief Q & A session and book signing will follow. Visit https://www.marydezember.com/ for more information about the author and her work!

2023 Release: Debut Novel “WILD CONVICTION”

1858. When secrets about her ancestry ignite a young woman to help enslaved children at a wicked plantation, she discovers what the captives know too well — survival isn’t freedom.

Wild Conviction is a socially conscious, richly historical novel, sprinkled with magic and love. For this novel, Dr. Dezember created a scenario within a historical setting in which the terms Rich-tone and Pale are used for skin tone — and without historical or contemporary derogatory terms.

“Wild Conviction is a book that will transport you to a world of heated tensions and mesmerizing characters. From the first page, it will draw you into a world where reality and the supernatural intersect, and the past and present collide unexpectedly. Mary Dezember’s outstanding book tells the story of a spirited teenager in a captivating and inspiring way. With a signature writing style, Dezember expertly weaves together a tale of adventure, self-discovery, and personal growth that will have readers of all ages hooked from the very first page.” — Suzie Housley for Midwest Book Review

Mary’s books can be purchased before the event at Your Brother’s Bookstore, (504 Main Street in Evansville) or on Amazon.

Bring your copy to this event for the book signing!