About Karla
I was born in Landstuhl Germany to American parents. I grew up in, California and Ohio. In 1971 I gave birth to a girl, whom I named Toska. In the early part of 1972 my husband Walter Reed passed away. I shall never forget him, because he told me I could do anything if I set my mind to it, I was only 16 at the time. My first working career was as a tree trimmer, and then I became a nurse’s aid in Springfield Ohio, between 1972-1978. I then went on to be part owner in a carpet installation business in Springfield, Ohio in 1979-1980. I decided to travel a bit so went to Fort Worth, Texas to be a waitress in 1981. Decided to move again. This time I went to Carlsbad New Mexico. I owned my own wholesale outlet “Karla Marshall’s Wholesale” and also did accounting for 2 or three small companies during 1982-1986. I became a Sunday school teacher in Carlsbad New Mexico in 1984. I decided to try my hand at something else so I moved to Florida, got my CDL then drove trucks for a while in 1987-88. I then moved to Washington State in 1989. I took up writing poetry, then in 1993 started going to writing schools. I graduated three writing courses. During 1999 I became a Bible School Teacher at Elbe, Wa. I have been writing poetry, short stories and novels off and on for 22 years. I’m now Reverend for a non-denominational Church, Divine Word Ministries, which I started after graduating BridgeWater Univeristy in 2003. I live in the morning shadow of Mt Rainier, in Washington State. I have lots of dogs who help me keep me on my toes. I like to hike, ride bikes, swim, canoe, fish, plant trees and flowers and of course write. Towards the end of 2003 some of my poetry became internationally published.
Tub Talk, in Dark Side of the Moon by The National Library of Poetry in 1994
Treasured Love, in East of the Sunrise by The National Library of Poetry in 1995
A Winding Trail, in At Water’s Edge by The National Library of Poetry in 1995
A Little Old Man, in Voices by Iliad Press in 1995
Guiding Light, in Treasured Poems of America in 1995
Sharks, in Best New Poems 1995 by The Poet’s Guild
Demon Wind, in Promises to Keep by Creative Arts and Sciences Enterprises in 1996
Magnumopus, in Meditations by Iliad Press 1996
Blessed Are Tiny Hands, in Spirit of the Age by The National Library of Poetry in 1996
Your Destiny, in Poetic Voices of America Fall 1996 by Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum Inc.
Friendship, in Poetic Voices of America Spring 1997 by Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum Inc.
Blessed Are Tiny Hands, in The Growing Season by The Int’l Library of Poetry 2001
Take A Chance, in Tumbling Into Tomorrow by The International Library of Poetry in 2002
Time’s Fee, in Theatre of the Mind by Noble House in 2003
For All Time, in The Colors of Life by The International Library of Poetry in 2003
Demon Wind, on Profiles in Music by Tin Pan Alley
Tub Talk, on America by Hill Top records
Last Chance, on Music of America by Hollywood Artist Record Co.
Certificate of Recognition of Artistic Merit, for poem, from Poet’s Guild in 1989
Certificate of poetic achievement, for Poetic Artistry from Amherst Society in 1994
Accomplishment Of Merit, for outstanding literary achievement “Demon Wind” from Creative Arts and Science Enterprises 1994
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Tub Talk”, from National Library of Poetry in 1994
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Treasured Love” from National Library of Poetry in 1995
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “A Winding Trail” from National Library of Poetry in 1995
Certificate of Publication, for the poem, “A Little Old Man” from Iliad Press in1995
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Blessed Are Tiny Hands” from National Library of Poetry in 1996
Certificate of Honorable Mention, for the poem, “Magnumopus” from Iliad Press in 1996
Editor’s Choice Award, for a poem, “ from National Library of Poetry in 1996
President’s Award For Literary Excellence, for a poem, “from The National Authors Registry in 1996
Accomplishment of Merit for the poem, “Easy to Please” from Creative Arts and Sciences Enterprises.
Accomplishment of Merit, for the poem “Treasures” from Creative Arts and Sciences Enterprises.
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Blessed Are Tiny Hands” from National Library of Poetry in 2001
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “Take A Chance” from National Library of Poetry in 2002
Certificate of Completion in Bible study from Bible Universe University in 2002
Editor’s Choice Award, for the poem, “For All Time” from International Library of Poetry
Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Study “The Old Testament” ifrom World Christianship Ministries in 2003
Certificate of Completion with Honors, “Bible Course 1” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003
Certificate of Completion with Honors, “Bible Course 2”” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003
Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Study “The New Testament” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003
Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Study “Morals and Values” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003
Certificate of Achievement in “Storacles of Prophecy Bible” from Amazing Facts in 2003
Certificate of Completion with Honors, Bible Course “Book of Matthew” from World Christianship Ministries in 2003
High School Diploma from board of education in Carlsbad New Mexico in 1983
Diploma in Novel writing from Writer’s Digest School in 1995
Diploma Fiction Writing from NRI School in 1997
Diploma in children’s writing from Institute of Children’s Literature in 1998
Diploma in short story writing from Long Ridge Writer’s Group in 2001
Doctor of Divinity in Bible studies from BridgeWater University in London in 2003
Honorary Educator from St. Joseph’s Indian School in 1997
Honorary Doctor of Divinity from World Christianship Ministries in 2003
