Mary Ellen Hayward joined a creative writing classes ten years ago, in order to help fill the gap after her last child left home for university. A retired teacher, she writes poetry and short stories for children as well as adults. Her first book, ‘From Glen to Glen,’ is a collection of local myths and legends, re-imagined and brought up to date for 21st century readership. It has been used in schools to educate pupils about their local heritage.

Her inspiration for writing comes from the rural north County Derry landscape, its people and its rhythms of language. Most years she attends the International John Hewitt Literary Summer School in Armagh.

Mary Ellen has had many short stories and poems published and broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster and RTE Radio One , in newspapers, anthologies and in magazines including Ulla’s Nib and the literary section of the Ulster Tatler. She is now working towards a collection of short stories for her grandchildren.