Mary Sharratt is an accomplished American historical fiction author, known for her mission to reintegrate women into historical narratives. She was born and raised in Minnesota but currently resides in the Silver Coast town of Obidos, Portugal. Sharratt's writing career began with short stories, with her first collection, "The Anatomy of a Mermaid," published in 1999. She transitioned to long-form fiction in 2000, releasing her debut novel "Summit Avenue."
Sharratt's work is characterized by extensive research into various historical eras and settings, with a particular focus on highlighting female characters. This approach has resulted in a series of groundbreaking historical fiction novels that challenge traditional narratives. In addition to "Summit Avenue," Sharratt has written several other noteworthy novels, including "The Real Minerva," "The Vanishing Point," and "Daughters of the Witching Hill."
According to the second source, Sharratt and her Belgian husband live in the Pendle region of Lancashire, England, which served as the setting for her acclaimed novel "Daughters of the Witching Hill." Previously, Sharratt resided in Germany for twelve years, an experience that influenced her writing, particularly her novel "Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen." Sharratt's interest in sacred music and herbal medicine also informed the writing of "Illuminations."
Sharratt has received several awards for her work, including the 2005 WILLA Literary Award and a finalist nomination for the Minnesota Book Award. She has also co-edited the fiction anthology "Bitch Lit," which celebrates female anti-heroes. In addition to her writing, Sharratt contributes regular articles to Historical Novels Review and Solander, focusing on the theme of writing women into history. When not writing, Sharratt enjoys riding her Welsh mare through the Lancashire countryside.