Mary O’Herron was educated at Manhattanville College and has lived in Africa and Europe. Some of her African experience turns up on page 15 of A Letter from Marty, where a hanging rug depicts a zebra, lion, and giraffe. She is a watercolorist and has had several successful shows. Ms. O'Herron, a mother of four and grandmother of six, lives in suburban Washington, DC. The real "Marty" lives at her home.