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C. M. Mayo (Catherine Mansell)

シー・エム・メイヨー（キャサリン・マンスェル）

C. M. Mayo (Catherine Mansell)

Pen Names: C. M. Mayo（Professional pen name used for writing and translation）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Texas, United States (native)
Nationality
United States
Languages
English, Spanish (used for translation)
Residence History
Texas, United States (birthplace) → Northern California (raised) → Mexico City (long-time resident)

Career

Occupations
literary journalist, novelist, memoirist, short story writer, poet, podcaster, literary translator
Active Years
1990-
Influenced By
Juan Villoro, Guadalupe Loaeza, Mónica Lavín

Education

University of Chicago
Economics (Division/Faculty) / Department of Economics
Degree: 学士
Country: United States
Reported to have studied economics (sources limited)

Awards

Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction
1995
Work: Sky Over El Nido
Organization: University of Georgia Press
Result: 受賞
Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards
Organization: Lowell Thomas Awards (associated organizations)
Result: 受賞（3回）
Washington Independent Writers Awards
Organization: Washington Independent Writers
Result: 受賞（複数回）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Metaphysical Odyssey into the Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero and His Secret Book, Spiritist Manual

2014 historical non-fiction

A historical exploration of Francisco I. Madero and the spiritist texts associated with him, blending history and cultural inquiry.

Mexican Revolutionspiritismintersection of history and culture

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire

2009 historical novel

A historical novel set in the era of the Mexican Empire, depicting cultural encounters and individual destinies.

historypower and the individualcultural exchange

Miraculous Air: Journey of a Thousand Miles through Baja California, the Other Mexico

2007 travel memoir

A travel memoir chronicling a journey through Baja California, revealing another side of Mexico.

travelregional culturenature and memory

Sky Over El Nido

1999 short fiction

A collection of short stories including the Flannery O'Connor Award-winning work, exploring lives and changing circumstances.

human relationshipschangeAmerican-Mexican intersections

Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion

2006 edited/translated anthology

A literary companion for travelers to Mexico, an edited and translated collection of Mexican short fiction and poetry for English-speaking readers.

traveltranslationintroduction to Mexican literature

Bibliography

  • Sky Over El Nido (short fiction collection)
  • Miraculous Air: Journey of a Thousand Miles through Baja California, the Other Mexico (travel memoir)
  • The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire (historical novel)
  • Metaphysical Odyssey into the Mexican Revolution (historical non-fiction)
  • Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion (editor/translator)

Translations by Author

  • Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion (editor/translator, 2006)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, descriptive proseblend of travel writing and historytranslation style that preserves local linguistic color
Recurring Motifs
journey and movementMexican culture and historyintersection of the personal and political

Legacy

C. M. Mayo is known as a translator and editor who introduced contemporary Mexican literature to English-speaking readers, and as a writer of travel memoirs and historical fiction about Mexico. She is recognized as a cultural bridge through translation and original work.

Trivia

  • Native of Texas, raised in Northern California, long-time resident of Mexico City.
  • Won the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction in 1995 for Sky Over El Nido.
  • Has translated many contemporary Mexican writers, acting as a bridge to Anglo readership.
  • Runs a podcast project called 'Marfa Mondays' (see external links for details).