Irene Martin has been a freelance writer since 1974, specializing in fisheries, historical and genealogical subjects. She has also been a librarian, commercial fisher, and is an Episcopal priest. Winner of the James B. Castles Heritage Award in 1998 from the Washington State Historical Society's Center for Columbia River History, and the Washington Governor's Award in 2000, she is an active and involved member of the lower Columbia River area. Recently she has developed an interest in writing poetry, and is also hard at work on a history of Bumble Bee Seafoods, of salmon and tuna fame. She is available for lectures and is in demand as a conference speaker.

Sea Fire, Tales of Jesus and Fishing (New York: Crossroad Publishing Co., 2003) 224 pages. Part detective story, part history, part Biblical study, Sea Fire is filled with the author’s observations of the fishing occupation and her insight into life in New Testament times. "Simply put, "Sea Fire" takes us on a journey to learn more about the lives of Jesus and his disciples in terms of their fishing culture, and how it relates to today’s industry...In the end we get a thoroughly informative, original and entertaining read, for Christians, fishermen and even neither. It’s a book that’s sure to make you re-examine the timelessness and significance of the world’s first industry." Brian Arundel, Associate Editor, National Fisherman. $19.95. Crossroad Publishing

The Beach of Heaven, a history of Wahkiakum County (Pullman, Wa.: Washington State University Press, 1997) 178 pages. Much more than a county history, this book is the story of the development of a place, its social and ethnic groups. "Martin, an Episcopal priest and commercial fisherman, probably knows more about her county than anyone. Her book is well-organized and thoughtful, particularly about the coming changes." Jeff Baker, The Oregonian, Feb. 15, 1998. Black and white photos. $19.95. WSU Press