Marilyn Bishop Shaw

Marilyn Bishop Shaw was born and raised on a farm in Newberry, a small town in north central Florida. Her paternal family homesteaded in Jefferson County, Florida in the early 1830s and her in-laws in Alachua County, Florida in 1865, providing her with deep roots in Florida and a fascination for history and culture. Both the Bishop and Shaw families are full of story tellers -- tall tales, true tales, and everything in between!

She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in English Education from Florida State University and Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction/Administration from the University of Florida. Marilyn has taught English/language arts, speech, humanities, drama, and reading in grades 6-12 in Gadsden, Pinellas, Lafayette, and Alachua school districts, all in Florida for 35 years. A voracious reader and history buff, Shaw began writing historical fiction for young readers after seeing its power in the classroom, especially with students who are reluctant readers and/or disinterested in history.