Originally from Wisconsin, I now live in the beautiful mountain ringed desert community of Tucson, Arizona. My love of reading led to my love for writing, and since 1993 I have been writing for both children and adults. I have published short stories in many genres including mystery and horror. I have had articles appear in magazines on all sorts of subjects including writing tips, animals, personal experience, nostalgia and humor. I also write and sell puzzles, poetry and light verse, and greeting card captions.

My short story "Blue Clue Mystery" won Second Prize in Juvenile Fiction for the year 2009 in the Decatur Public Library Writing Contest.

My short mystery "Final Cup of Coffee" won First Place in fiction for the year 2008 in the Decatur Public Library Fiction Writing Contest.

I have had 2 short stories nominated for Derringer awards by the Short Mystery Fiction Society -- "Accident" in 2001 and "Motive For Murder" in 2004.

Find my work in print magazines like Woman's World, Boys' Quest, Hopscotch, Jack and Jill, Pockets and Mature Living; and on the web at places like FLASHSHOT, Hypersonic Tales, Fear and Trembling, Scifaikuest, Spaceports and Spidersilk, StoriesThatLift.com and Stories For Children. I have also had a number of children's stories published in the L.A. Times Kids' Reading Room Sunday section. Some of my mystery and horror short stories can be purchasd online at at Fictionwise.com and at Sniplits. I have a new collection of 45 mystery verses and poems titled "Crime Rhymes". This can be purchased online in either print or electronic form. Go to: http://www.scribblersandinkspillers.com:80/crystalcodices.html or go Books in the upper left hand side of this website. Click on Books to get to the link. Finally, I have poems and faith-based puzzles available at Churchmouse Publications http://www.churchmousepublications.com:80/