Maggie graduated in 1964 from Oberlin College as an English major, then worked as an assistant children's librarian in the Cleveland Public Library system through the summer of 1966, when she quit to have children (Valerie and Stephen). She worked as a freelance writer and editor until coming to Krause Publications as the editor of Movie Collector's World and Comics Buyer's Guide in 1983. Krause later sold the movie newspaper, but she continued to edit Comics Buyer's Guide, long after Don's death in 1994 and the transformation of the publication into a monthly magazine.

She also created and edited Fantasy Empire magazine and wrote Dark Shadows: Book Two #1-4 for Innovation in 1993. With Don, she wrote a miscellany of articles and comic-book stories; The Official Price Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy (1989, House of Collectibles); five years of Comics Buyer's Guide Annual (1992—1996, Krause Publications); Marvel Comics Checklist & Price Guide 1961-Present (1993, Krause Publications); and Comic-Book Superstars (1993, Krause Publications). With others, she produced the Comics Buyer's Guide Checklist & Price Guide (now in its 15th edition, Krause Publications); and the Standard Catalog of Comic Books (now in its 5th edition, Krause Publications)

Under Maggie's editorial direction, Comics Buyer's Guide twice won the comics industry's Eisner Award for periodicals, among other awards. She was a recipient of the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award and was also the first recipient of the Friends of Lulu's "Women of Distinction" Award.

Maggie and Don Thompson were the recipients of many joint awards, including:

• Comic Art Fan Award Favorite Fan Writer, 1973
• Inkpot Award, 1976
• Jack Kirby Award, Best Comics Publication, 1985
• Diamond Lifetime Fandom Award, 1991
• Eisner Award, Best Comics-Related Periodical, 1992

Thompson Award

The Motor City Comic Con awarded the Don Thompson Award from 1992—1998. Originally known as the "Compuserve Comics and Animation Forum Award", the name was changed to the "Compuserve Comics and Animation Forum's Don Thompson Award" (or, simply, the "Thompson") after Don Thompson's death in 1994.