my MISSION STATEMENT: authentic impact & kindness

WRITING recognitions

• My picture book manuscript was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2022 PBParty contest.

• My fiction chapter book manuscript made the top 18 longlist, out of over 100 entries, in the 2021 Chapter Book Prize.

• My fiction picture book manuscript made the top 20 longlist, out of over 450 entries, in the 2020 Picture Book Prize.

• My piece, Brewing, was one of 43 winning entries, out of 354, in the 2020 Fall Writing Frenzy Contest.

MY STORY (SO FAR)

I was a creative kid growing up, but I didn’t reconnect with my passion for writing until later in life.

Why do I write?
To remind fellow humans they’re not alone.
To help people find ways to live more authentically.
To show kids of all ages that who they are is beautiful. And amazing. And worthy.
So worthy. Just because they exist.
I write to help kids know they can and will go through hard things. And they will be okay. They can be more than okay.
I write to reassure kids they’ll make it through the storms. Sometimes, they’ll be the storm.
I write because I have to write. And I’m thankful for that gift.

What I write: picture books, chapter books, and middle grade (with ideas for young adult fiction brewing). While I like writing stories that play with fantasy, humor, animals, and heart, I also like exploring tough topics with grace, drawing inspiration from my own experiences.

I’m committed to championing representation in kidlit. Join me in supporting organizations like We Need Diverse Books and the Read in Color initiative. 

I’m a proud member of SCBWI and former member of 12x12. My first published work, “A Lesson in Empathy”, debuted in 2019 in the book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog.

When I’m not writing, I can usually be found with a cat in my lap, watching Star Trek, working at the humane society, sipping a nice bourbon, cheering for my alma mater (Go Green!), reading, playing video games, fowling, or explaining fowling to anyone who will listen.