Mary Ruth Hughes

Mary Ruth Hughes is a Native Oklahoman. She was born and raised in the capital of the Chickasaw Nation. She remembers her grandmother telling her, “When you grow up you need to write a story about Tishomingo.” At the time, Mary Ruth didn’t know she would become a writer, but the idea of writing a book about TISHOMINGO stuck in her mind for years.  It wasn’t until her mother revealed a family secret that she seriously decided to tell the story of TISHOMINGO.     

Her writing career began in 1978 when she took a writing class taught by Louis L’Amour in Los Angeles.  His inspiring words and encouragement started her on a path of writing historical articles for magazines. She joined “Mountain/Valley Writers”, a local critique group that helped polish her writing skills. Mary Ruth’s works have been featured in the following publications: Listen Magazine, Good Old Days, California Highway Patrolman, The Highlander, Treasure Magazine, California Travel Expert, plus others.    

In 2007 her story of TISHOMINGO became a reality with the publication of her romance novel. It is centered on the life of one family living in the Chickasaw Nation before Oklahoma statehood.      

Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, and Oklahoma Historian, Bob Burke endorsed her book with favorable reviews.    

“Although a work of fiction, Mary Hughes’ book shows some of the problems and challenges which faced the Chickasaw people around the turn of the 20th century.  It should be enjoyable reading for anyone.”                        Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation  

“Tishomingo is historical fiction at its best.  The joys and hardships endured by the Chickasaws come through the love story loud and clear. The author’s attention to historical fact is worthy of recognition. This is a wonderful preservation of Chickasaw heritage.”                     Bob Burke, Oklahoma historian, The Oklahoman    

TISHOMINGO is sold in the gift shop at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. and her four Native American books were accepted into the Sequoyah National Research Center for Native American studies.      

Since the publication of TISHOMINGO, Mary Ruth has written a sequel to Tishomingo, titled: RETURN TO OKLA CHUKA. It is a continuation of the same characters and follows their lives through this period of history in Indian Territory. She is working on book number three: “Hurricane” (Mahli Ishto). Chickasaw word for Hurricane.      

Mary Ruth won first place in prose for her article, “A Purse Full of Secrets” which was published in the High Desert Branch of the California’s Writer’s Club anthology “On The Lighter Side” 2019.   

She has a total of eleven published books of various genres, two published stories in the High Desert Writer’s Club Anthologies and she collaborated with Roberta Smith (HDCWC member) on a screen play titled: “Bereaved” in 2021.  Mary Ruth’s books can be purchased on Amazon.com or MaryRuthHughes.com.    

Mary Ruth is the mother of four grown children, sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.  She is a member of the High Desert Branch of the California Writer’s Club, Mohave Historical Society and Professional Women’s Resource Connection.  

Mary has a total of eleven published books of various genres. They can all be found on Amazon.com or MaryRuthHughes.com. 

maryruth59@hotmail.com

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