Why I Started Writing:

One of my first part-time jobs as a teenager was at B. Dalton Bookstore. I loved browsing through the children’s books and admiring the illustrations that brought the words to life. I would think to myself, “I’m going to write books like this one day.” For me, writing is like a calling. It’s something I just have to do!

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

The two authors that made me fall in love with reading as a child are J.R.R. Tolkien and William Golding. As a teacher, I’m fortunate I have the opportunity to share some of my favorite authors including Roald Dahl, Kate DiCamillo, E.B. White, and Andrew Clements with my students. Picture book authors I admire include Jon Scieszka, Beth Ferry, Josh Funk, and Kjartan Poskitt.

Books I Have Written:

The following books were independently published and are available on Amazon:

Bonita Bones and the Halloween Surprise (co-authored with Jeanne Woods) is the tale of a little skeleton girl who is bullied because she is different. After moving to a new school, Bonita’s parents prepare a Halloween Surprise at their new creepy house. The children quickly realize that the Bones family is not as different as they had thought.

The Hocus Pocus Hockey Stick is the story of a boy who learns to believe in himself when he receives what he thinks is a magical hockey stick for his birthday.

Bad Banana is the story of a rotten banana. It’s crude, rude, and in a mood after being left behind in the fruit bowl. With a little love from Peggy Sue, Bad Banana realizes that what’s on the inside is what really matters.

Un-ugly: The Tale of a Homely Horseshoe Crab tells the tale of Harriet, a homely horseshoe crab. She sets off on a journey to find friends that can help her become more beautiful. Kissing Fish gives her puffy kissing lips. Eel gives her lengthy lashes. When Harriet is covered in glam she doesn’t feel like herself anymore. With a little advice from Sea Star, Harriet learns that God made her a star just the way she is.

Sand Dollar is the story of a girl who imagines the ways she could spend a sand dollar that she’s found on the seashore. Should she buy sand between her toes? A sand castle? A ride on a wave perhaps? This story reminds the reader that the best things in life are free.

What I'm Working On Now:

I’m currently working on edits for Lilly’s Light (to be released by Elk Lake Publishing in 2023). Additionally, I’m hoping to place several manuscripts that I’ve previously written.