Fannie Isabel Sherrick was an American poet who wrote songs and poems throughout the 1860's that captured hearts and minds. I Can Not Say the Sad Good-Bye was one of her notable songs published in 1873. She was both influenced and encouraged by Ella Wheeler Wilcox who she attributed her success to. Her most popular poetry volume entitled Love or Fame and Other Poems was published in 1880 by W.S Bryan of St Louis and she continued writing for many years.