The Yellow Bird Awards

Margaret’s short story, The Yellow Bird was made into a “short” by Smiling Toad Productions in Canada and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film has traveled the world, screening at film festivals in Italy, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Yellow Bird received the Golden Sheaf Award for Best Art Direction, in Canada, a “Golden Monkey,” award for Best Cinematography in Leicester, England, an Audience Choice for Best International Film in Cologne, Germany, and a Remi Award in Houston’s “Worldfest.”

I Don’t Need Pretty

I don’t need pretty in my reading, Margaret writes, I need honesty. When I write, I try to crawl up on the razor-sharp back of honesty. From there, I can see the world and myself better.

My fourteen siblings and I, (yes fourteen) grew up on a busy, crazy farm in Nebraska where I milked cows, and slopped pigs.

I killed chickens to fry for dinner and hung laundry on the clothesline in freezing temperatures. Living in Nebraska meant cold winters. Watching animals being sent to slaughter, and farm wives working like mules was part of life.

I started a master’s program in writing at age 54! It’s true: One is never too old to chase one’s dreams. I’ve taught writing at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for over a decade.

Along with my novels, I’ve written numerous articles and short stories. I love reading quirky books and books with magic realism. Writings about Native American myths, and strong women are some of my favorites.

Bold and fearless books that make me say, ‘Yes. That’s how it really is.” Give me grit.