Mary Vigliante Szydlowski was born in Albany, NY. She writes in several genres, using various pen names. She is the author of 12 published novels: The Ark (Jarl Szydlow-1978), The Colony (Mary Vigliante-1979), The Land (Mary Vigliante-1979), Source of Evil (Mary Vigliante-1980), Silent Song (1980 & 2000), Worship the Night (1982, 1985, 2000, & updated 2016), Dark Realm (2016), and under the pen name Mia Frances: In His Keeping: Taken (2015), In His Keeping: Banished (2015), & In His Keeping: Claimed (2016), Little Girl Lost (2018), and TRIBES (2019). She’s also published 10 children's book: Ghoul School (2017), Millie Muldoon & the Case of the Halloween Haunting (2018), Millie Muldoon & the Case of the Thanksgiving Turkey-napper (2016), Millie Muldoon & the Christmas Mystery (2016), Are We There Yet? (2019), Little Sowbug and the Big Flood (2018), A Puddle for Poo (2015), Kia’s Manatee (2011), The Duck in the Hole (2007), and I Can't Talk I've Got Farbles In My Mouth, (1995). She also authored the novella, The Hand of My Enemy (2014).

Her story "Chi Chi and the Hungry Hawk" was in Chicken Soup for the Soul-The Dog Did What? (2014), "Fairy Godmothers" was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul-Volunteering and Giving Back (2015), her poem "The Ugly Christmas Tree" can be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul-Merry Christmas! (2015), "My Handyman Mom" appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul-Mom Knows Best (2019), and "Slow Learner" is in Chicken Soup for the Soul-Life Lessons from the Dog.

Her short stories, articles, children’s stories, essays, and poems have appeared in books, magazines, newspapers, and on the web.

She is a member of the Authors’ Guild, SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators), SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America), and RWA (Romance Writers of America).