Meet author Mary Ann Featherston

Mary Ann Featherston is a new-to-me author that I met via Facebook! I’m excited to get to know her and learn more about her writing.

Let’s dive in!

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Jen – Hi, Mary Ann! Tell us about yourself!

Mary Ann – I was born in Dickson, Tennessee. When I was twelve, my daddy’s job took our family to Hialeah, Florida. As a country girl who had only known a small school, I was completely overwhelmed. It took me three days just to find my classes.

Thankfully, a kind Cuban girl took me under her wing and helped me along the way. I don’t remember her name, but I’ve never forgotten her kindness. I was one of only five English-speaking students in my class. While we lived there for only eight months, the experience left a lasting impression on me.

Not long after we returned to Tennessee, my daddy passed away. Soon after, we moved to Southeast Missouri to be near my aunt. I still live there today, near Cape Girardeau.

Mary Ann Featherston and faith

Mary Ann – Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a heart for God. I gave my life to Him at fourteen while attending church camp, a decision that has shaped my life ever since.

Jen – I can’t imagine being one in five of English-speaking students. I’m sure God used that to shape you. What have you written?

Mary Ann Featherston’s books

Mary Ann – I write children’s books – Stand Tall Little Twig, which you can purchase online at Acclaim Press, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Amazon. In the book,Twig has dreams of becoming great, and he does. The message is to never give up on your dreams. Sometimes it takes a while for your dreams to come true.

I self-published a gift book, Between Sisters. – It’s a book of quotes and scripture. I wrote this while my sister, Reba, was fighting colon cancer. This is a book for sisters, mothers, daughters, and friends who are like sisters.

I have written two inspirational cookbooks, Simply Recipes and Simply Desserts – These make great gifts. Simply Recipes and Simply Desserts have simple recipes made with ordinary ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. Simply Recipes has scriptures throughout the book and old hymns. Simple Desserts has God’s promises throughout the book.

I have a children’s book coming out this spring – Stumpy Makes Friends. – It’s about a squirrel that’s different from all the other animals. The animals make fun of him and won’t play with him. But one day, Stumpy becomes a hero, and then everyone wants to be Stumpy’s friend. The message is to always be kind.

I also write short stories and devotionals. I have a story coming out in mid-June 2026 titled “New Shoes” in Guideposts, volume 8, Too Amazing For Coincidence: He Cares For Us. And another story for Guideposts, “Grandaddy’s Song” in Messengers of Love, the fourth book in the Angels In Our Lives series, coming out in early October 2026.

I’m currently working on a Christian Romance Novel.

Mary Ann Featherston’s bio:

Mary Ann Featherston lives near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with her husband and their miniature Australian shepherd. Together, they have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren who bring them great joy.

When she’s not writing, Mary Ann enjoys traveling, music, cooking, and reading, but her favorite moments are spent with family and friends. On pleasant days, she can often be found on her front porch, coffee in hand, quietly taking in the beauty of God’s creation.

Mary Ann is the author of the children’s book Stand Tall, Little Twig, and has also self-published two cookbooks, Simply Recipes and Simply Desserts. Her newest children’s book, Stumpy Makes Friends, is set to release in Spring 2026.

Writing habits

Jen – I love to ask other authors about their writing habits. When do you like to write? Are you a pantser/plotter? Where do you get your ideas?

Mary Ann – I do not follow an outline. I like to write in the mornings, but lately, afternoons work well. I get ideas from animals, nature, people, or sometimes, ideas just pop into my head.

I’m a panster.

Jen – I’m a panster too! I want to be a plotter, but so far, it’s not happening. Is research involved in your books?

Mary Ann – I didn’t really do any research on my children’s book

My children’s story, Stand Tall Little Twig, was inspired by my husband planting seedlings from the Missouri Conservation Department. One of the seedlings was an oak tree. Earling in the mornings, before I went to work, I would have coffee on my front porch. I watched (Twig) grow year after year. I would also sing a line in an old Bobby Goldsboro song: “See the tree how big it’s grown …” This is how Twig got his name. Honestly, I feel like God gave me this story.

Goals & books!

Jen – Mary Ann, what are your goals with what you write?

Mary Ann – I like to encourage and inspire people, especially children and women. I feel the world needs hope and encouragement. I want to give people hope through my stories.

Jen – What do you like to read?

Mary Ann – When I was in the third grade, we had library time. We would go to the library, and the librarian would read to us. We could check out books every week, return them, and check out more books. That’s when I began to love to read. I loved Beverly Cleary’s books, Henry Huggins, and Henry And The Paper Route. As I got older, I liked Anne of Green Gables. (one of my favorites). As I became a teenager, I read about two or more books a week.

Now, I really like Karen Kingsbury’s books. I also like Deb Raney’s books. I read a lot of devotional and Christian fiction books

Find Mary Ann Featherston online

Jen – Where can we find you online?

Mary Ann – I do not have a blog or a newsletter. I have recently started collecting an email list and plan to send emails to those who want to follow me on my writing journey.

Find Mary Ann on Facebook & at her author page on Facebook, on Instagram, or on X (formerly Twitter).

It’s time for fun facts!

Jen – Share some fun facts your readers would love to know! Tea or coffee? Favorite season? Favorite Bible verse? What do you do in your free time? Cat or dog person?

Mary Ann – I love my coffee. I like sweet iced tea with peach flavoring. Favorite season – Spring.

Favorite Bible verse – Psalm 91:4 NIV, He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Another favorite verse – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

What do I like to do in my free time – I like to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Dogs or cats – I like them both. I have a miniature Australian shepherd named Shelby and a cat named Maxine.

Mary Ann’s advice for new authors

Jen – What is your advice for new authors?

Mary Ann – Never give up on your dream. Write, write, write. Read, read, read.

Writing inspiration

Jen – What inspired you to start writing?

Mary Ann – When my children were young, I read to them constantly. Somewhere along the way, a thought took root: I could write a children’s book. But I had no idea where to begin. I didn’t have a college degree, and at the time, there was no internet to guide me.

Years passed, but the dream never left. Then I met a writer who invited me to join an online writing group, and I began writing short stories. Not long after, I joined a creative writing group through a small group at my church. That’s when my journey truly began.

Through it all, I never let go of the dream God placed in my heart to become a children’s writer.

Jen – Thank you, Mary Ann Featherston, for being on my blog and sharing about your journey as an author!

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 40 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My cozy mystery series – The Empty Nesters Cozy Mysteries – is now complete! My romantic suspense novella, SeaBreeze Obsession in Trinity Sands Beach Club, released June 17, 2025! And finally, my first women’s fiction, Finding Ginny, releases April 7, 2026!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)