From a very early age I remember declaring that I was going to be a writer when I grew up. Via a very circuitous route - I'm there!   My novel "Starless Midnight" has gotten many favorable reviews and was a featured book for Kirk House Publishers. Looking for a layman's explanation for why our states have the odd panhandles, zig-zag shapes and wide range of sizes? "Our States Have Crazy Shapes: Panhandles, Bootheels, Knobs and Points" came out in July of 2016. My series of Dirkle Smat adventure books are stories of mystery and intrigue for kids who are discovering the joy of reading on their own. Each story is a short chapter book in which the five characters, members of their own Explorers Club, seek out adventures that require them to use their ingenuity to solve a mystery. Young readers will be challenged to use their own imaginations and create their own Explorer Club mysteries. There is a storyteller in all of us - poke around a little bit and you'll find it.  

I was a guest panelist on the "So you Want to Write Children's Books" panel at the Bloomington Writer's Festival, Bloomington, MN and I have appeared on local radio and cable tv shows.

I have done over 50 speaking engagements to talk about the content of my book "Our States Have Crazy Shapes."