Maria C. Novelly grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. She studied English and drama at Colorado College, Colorado Springs, and the University of Texas, Austin. She went on to teach English and drama at schools in Texas and Ramstein Air Base, Germany. She now resides with her husband and children in Stockport, England, which is just outside of Manchester. She met Adele Firth when her son Matt attended the Adele Lawson School of Theatre Saturday workshops for four years and both she and her son became involved in the shows.