I grew up in rural Minnesota and spent my childhood either climbing trees or searching the racks at the local library. As a kid, my love of words and commitment to looking at the world from a unique point of view led many adult mentors to encourage me to pursue a career as an author when I grew up.

And so I did.

Eventually…when I turned 45 and was no longer afraid of my own voice.

I have now written four young adult novels: Caught in the Crossfire, Searching for Grace, Taking the Stand, and Gravity. Though The Crossfire Trilogy and Gravity are quite different, each one of my books is character-driven and explores the journey of young adults, often marginalized, who are bound to discover the courage to create an authentic life…if the journey doesn’t break them.

My passion for creating art that accurately reflects the contemporary young adult’s life often leads me to write scenes some adults might find uncomfortable or objectionable. However, I write without apology for either content or language choice because it’s too damn important to me that my books might help my young adult readers to see themselves in my characters and not feel alone in this world  or, more importantly, imagine a future they have the right to pursue.

When not writing, I enjoy hanging out with my two pups:  Bella, a vocally gifted wire-haired dachshund and Huberus, a mild-mannered French poodle. The three of us can often be seen walking around area lakes in the summer and doing some short-dog version of skijoring during cold and icy Minnesota winters. We have also been known to throw spontaneous dance parties at home when Alexa plays Pretty Fly for a White Guy and Huberus takes Bella and me to school with his smooth moves. 

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Honors:

Caught in the Crossfire, 2014: Recipient of the Saints & Sinner’s Literary Festival’s Emerging Writer Award.

Gravity, 2017:  finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in the Children’s and Young Adult Category and 2017 winner of a Golden Crown Literary Award in the Young Adult Category. 

More information for the press can be found on my Press Kit.