Mary Vermillion is the author of three lesbian mystery novels—all set in Iowa and all featuring the plucky and neurotic radio personality, Mara Gilgannon, and her winsome BGF, Vince Loyacano. Mary is also a Professor of English at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she teaches a delightful range of courses including Shakespeare, Creative Writing, and Law and Literature. She and her students conduct book clubs with inmates at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, and she leads travel courses to England and Ireland.
Mary lives in Iowa City with her partner, Benjamin Thiel. They’re both proud queer elders seeking a publisher for their dual memoir—a love story about the ways his gender transition changed each of them and their marriage.
d Midway.It explores all sorts of in-between spaces, and she’s been posting in it since 2018.
When Mary is not reading, writing, teaching, or hanging out with her partner, cats, or friends, she likes to travel, lift weights, kayak, garden, and watch women’s basketball. GO HAWKS!
Mary’s books:
Death by Discount, Mara Gilgannon #1
• Mara’s hometown is divided by a proposed Walmart.
• Lambda Finalist for Debut Fiction and Lesbian Mystery
Murder by Mascot, Mara Gilgannon #2
• Mara confronts homophobia and sexual violence in the world of Division I basketball.
• InsightOut Books’ Best Sports Mystery of 2006
Seminal Murder, Mara Gilgannon #3
• Murder most foul—in a sperm bank!
• Happily childfree Mara tries to help her beloved ex, who is desperately seeking motherhood.