Mary Ruth Hughes
Mary Ruth Hughes is a Native Oklahoman. She is the mother of four grown children, sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Mary Ruth is a member of the High Desert Branch of the California Writer’s Club, Mohahve Historical Society and Professional Women’s Resource Connection.
Mary Ruth’s writing career started in 1978 when she took a writing class with 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.
Tickling the back of her mind for years was an idea for a book centered on the people of Indian Territory before Oklahoma statehood. In 2007 her story became a reality with the publication of her romance novel, TISHOMINGO.
Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, and Oklahoma Historian, Bob Burke endorsed her book with favorable reviews.
TISHOMINGO is now 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, called: RETURN TO OKLA CHUKA. It is a continuation of the same characters and follows their lives through this period of history in Indian Territory. Mary Ruth 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.
Mary Ruth has a total of eleven published books of various genres. They can be found on Amazon.com or MaryRuthHughes.com.
Mary Ruth’s writing career started in 1978 when she took a writing class with 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.
Tickling the back of her mind for years was an idea for a book centered on the people of Indian Territory before Oklahoma statehood. In 2007 her story became a reality with the publication of her romance novel, TISHOMINGO.
Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, and Oklahoma Historian, Bob Burke endorsed her book with favorable reviews.
TISHOMINGO is now 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, called: RETURN TO OKLA CHUKA. It is a continuation of the same characters and follows their lives through this period of history in Indian Territory. Mary Ruth 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.
Mary Ruth has a total of eleven published books of various genres. They can be found on Amazon.com or MaryRuthHughes.com.
Books Published
Mary Ruth has eleven published books, two published stories in the High Desert Writer’s Club Anthologies and she collaborated with Roberta Smith (HDWC member) on a screenplay titled: “Bereaved” in 2021.
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TishomingoThe story of Tishomingo is set against a backdrop of Indian Territory in the late 1890’s. It centers on the people of the Chickasaw Nation, their way of life, politics and assimilation before Oklahoma statehood. As the story unfolds, we follow Koi, a beautiful mixed-blood Chickasaw girl, as she grows into womanhood in Tishomingo, Indian Territory. Koi is in love with her childhood friend, Osi, a full-blood Chickasaw with whom she grew up. One day her life is forever changed with the arrival of Neville Cooper, a white man contracted by the federal government to conduct a census of the Five Civilized Tribes. His visit was like a stone dropped into the quiet waters of Pennington Creek, rippling outward to change the course of not only her life but everyone around her, in ways that none of them could have anticipated.
Side Note: Raised in the capital of the Chickasaw Nation, Mary Ruth 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 stuck in her mind for years. It wasn’t until her mother revealed a family secret that the TISHOMINGO writing journey began. Reviews for Tishomingo: “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 |
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RETURN TO OKLA CHUKAThis story is the continuation of one Chickasaw family’s life of loyalty, cultural identity, political challenges, and ancestral obligations. Can Osi and Koi’s love for each other endure the obstacles they face during this turbulent time in history?
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Willow Flower's Gift
Willow Flower's Gift is a story about how a Native American woman’s unselfish gift to a museum preserved her tribe’s unique beading method. Grade level: 4th grade and up. |
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The Old Toad
The Old Toad is a delightful children’s picture book that will put a smile on everyone’s face. This charming tale takes place in the south’s bayou country. The Old Toad story has been set to Cajun music which can be heard on the accompanying music CD. The original music was produced by Roger A. Gillespie in his Hesperia music studio. Grade level: K-6 |
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Junk Food MummyThis story tells of a skinny mummy who becomes plump after eating an abundance of junk food. Junk Food Mummy, like The Old Toad, comes with a music CD. Through pictures and song, this book is the perfect tool to use in conjunction with school nutrition programs to promote healthy eating.
Grade level: K-6 |
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Ghost Dancin' ZydecoGhost Dancin' Zydeco is a whimsical tale of ghosts dancing to zydeco music. Grade level: K-6 |
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MonstersThis book explains that imaginary monsters created by shadows are nothing to be afraid of when the lights are turned on. Grade level: K-6 |
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Monsters Ball"Halloween Haunt" series book #5 |
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creaturesPre-schoolers love this story of spooky whimsical Halloween characters.
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Memories of a Farmer's DaughterAfter much coaxing from her children, in February of 1966, Jennie wrote a journal of her life as a farmer's daughter. She was 80 years old at the time. Jennie tells of growing up in Arkansas, her romance with a cowboy and moving to the Chickasaw Nation soon after Oklahoma became a state. |
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Native American RecipesThirty North American Indian tribes are represented in this compilation of unusual native recipes. Traditional, as well as, modern versions are preserved in this cookbook.
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