Mary Ladd is a San Francisco-based writer and editor whose work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as Mother Jones, UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, Alta, the San Francisco Chronicle, Playboy, and Health. Her books have gained notable recognition, with The Wig Diaries: An Irreverent Cancer Book (2019), illustrated by Don Asmussen, featured on NPR, W Magazine, and LitHub. Additionally, her work has been highlighted on podcasts such as Drinks with Tony, and her writing has appeared in best-selling anthologies like 642 Things to Write About and Lit Starts. Mary's collaborations include working with the late Anthony Bourdain and editing The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers (2024) and The Long COVID Reader (2023), cementing her as a versatile editor and cultural commentator.

Her work has also been featured at well-known Bay Area bookstores, including Green Apple Books, East Bay Booksellers, and The Bindery, with numerous speaking engagements during events like Litquake. Mary's writing, which covers topics from health challenges to culture and identity, has been described as bold, clear-eyed, and often infused with humor. As an enrolled member of the We Wai Kai First Nation and a longtime member of the Writers Grotto, she is passionate about thoughtfully highlighting culture and community through her own work and in her editorial projects.