Maureen Boyd Biro

Maureen Boyd Biro has worn many hats in the twenty years she’s worked in the writing industry: freelance writer; editor; columnist; Associate Publisher; essayist; and, most recently, children’s book author.

The third of seven sisters, Maureen grew up in the suburb of Fair Oaks just outside Sacramento, California in a pink house in a neighborhood called The Bird Tract. She was always an avid reader and could usually be found plunked down under one of the apple trees in her back yard poring through a book. Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, A Little Princess, and The Wizard of Oz were some of the books she loved best.

By the time Maureen was thirteen she knew she wanted to be a writer. She earned her first paycheck that same year for an essay she wrote on “The Exports and Imports of Ireland.” Her teacher (who was Irish) submitted the essay to a national competition, and Maureen's career was launched.

Maureen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from St. Mary’s College of California, and also attended Loyola University in Rome, Italy. While in Rome, Maureen learned to speak Italian and practically lived on pizza and gelato (two of her favorite foods).

After college, Maureen settled in the Bay Area of California in the beautiful Alhambra Hills where she still lives. She married and started a family, and while her children were growing up, wrote short stories, essays and articles for national and regional magazines. Today, Maureen still freelances for magazines but mostly she writes for children. Her first picture book, Walking with Maga, was published in 2002. A second book, Blueberries Make Good Cannonballs, a picture book/cookbook will be published in 2004.

Maureen is an award-winning cook. Her recipe for “Dad's Favorite Bourbon Pecan Pie” won the grand prize in a national bake-off, after which the San Francisco Chronicle pronounced her the “Pie Queen of America.”

Writing runs in Maureen’s family. Three of her sisters are writers, too. Maureen and her daughter, Jordan, a graduate student, have co-authored a picture book, Aloha, Dinos! Maureen’s son, who also attends college, is working on his first novel.

These days Maureen shares her home with her husband, Martin, their three-year old beagle, Scout, and a green-eyed cat named Zelda. Her current projects include a young adult novel and a memoir.

Want to Know More?

Here are ten fun facts about Maureen:

1. Maureen’s favorite color is green, but purple is a close second.

2. Maureen's favorite things to bake--and eat!--are cookies.

3. Maureen loves gloomy weather best--especially dark, stormy, rainy days.

4. Maureen’s favorite season is Autumn.

5. Maureen is crazy for beagles, and is a big fan of Snoopy (who’s a beagle and a fellow writer).

6. Maureen collects antique typewriters.

7. Maureen’s childhood nickname was “Charlie Lou.” (But don’t ever call her “Mo”--she hates that!)

8. The only food Maureen absolutely will not eat is mushrooms.

9. Maureen is a native Californian--almost third generation.

10. Maureen LOVES trees--especially liquid amber trees and Ponderosa Pines.