I grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and “published” my first book at eight years old. It was bound with black electrical tape and placed in the school library. Three people actually checked it out! Back then, I often shared my stories and poems with a special crossing guard named Frosty who encouraged me to write. As an adult, I wrote about Frosty’s positive influence and the piece won the 2010 Thin Threads Best Story Competition.

When I was in middle school, I liked to read and write about animals.  My favorite author was James Herriot - All Creatures Great and Small. Many of my own animal stories were inspired by experiences at Trailside Museum, a wildlife rehabilitation center where I volunteered every week.  At Trailside, I learned that it's easiest to write about things you know, and it's best to keep your hands out of the skunk's cage.

In high school, I took journalism classes and worked on the school newspaper. I was Editor-in-Chief so they gave me important jobs to do like standing in the hallway handing out the Friday edition. Working on the newspaper taught me how to collaborate with other writers. I discovered that even a sports columnist could come up with a good idea or two. Because of that experience, I am active in professional writing associations today.

I am still on the amazing writing journey that began when I was eight years old. Only now, I don’t bind my books with black electrical tape. I’ve been published in Chicken Soup, Cup of Comfort, Hallmark Gift Books and similar anthologies. My poetry appears in Reading Today and I’ve been invited to speak at conferences hosted by the International Reading Association and the Council for Learning Disabilities.

I have a strong passion for writing children’s literature. My current projects include picture books and middle grade novels. Over the years, I've volunteered with many reluctant readers, and I hope that one day my own stories will inspire kids to turn the page!