“Beat In Her Blood” Unbowed: A Cross-Genre Novel’s Path to Publication

After a long publishing hiatus, I just released a new novel! My sci-fi mystery Beat In Her Blood is now available in ebook and paperback formats. This novel challenged me in a lot of ways. It was my first project aimed at adult audiences, my first foray into the mystery genre, and a personal exploration … More “Beat In Her Blood” Unbowed: A Cross-Genre Novel’s Path to Publication

In-Flight Entertainment: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Stories

Epiphany struck me 35,000 feet over Chicago. Dimmed lights in the plane cabin made my laptop screen glow conspicuously on the tiny tray table, an invitation to judge over my shoulder, but I didn’t have time for self-consciousness. I had revisions to finish. Faced with a cross-country business trip, I’d assigned myself a travel project … More In-Flight Entertainment: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Stories

Racing Andy Weir: On Running, Writing, and Being Realistic

“What are you doing?” my Laddie pants, pulling up beside me as I pause my Garmin. “Book shopping.” Drawing the cold March morning into my aerobically scorched lungs, I approach the glass-fronted hutch beside the trail. A Little Free Library appeared in our neighborhood last year, and I’ve been a devoted trader. “Ooh, look! You … More Racing Andy Weir: On Running, Writing, and Being Realistic

Sci-Fi Strikes Back: How Genre Fiction Can Combat Scientific Censorship

No longer content to misshelve his favorite fictions in the non-fiction section of our national discourse, our new Librarian in Chief now wants to ban the entire 500 class of the Dewey decimal system: science. Last week the Trump administration issued a so-called “gag order”  banning federal science institutions—including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture, and Department of … More Sci-Fi Strikes Back: How Genre Fiction Can Combat Scientific Censorship

Fiction’s Dark Mirror: Dystopia and the 9/11 Generation

I knew something was wrong when I woke to the television muttering downstairs. My parents rarely watched anything other than evening news and weather. If they’d turned it on at nine a.m. on a Tuesday, it could only mean trouble. In trepidation I crept downstairs and into the living room. Mom sat in front of the … More Fiction’s Dark Mirror: Dystopia and the 9/11 Generation

“Blue Karma” A Finalist in Shelf Unbound Indie Book Competition

Blue Karma made finalist in the Shelf Unbound indie book competition. Thousands of authors submitted their novels (so I’m told) so top six is a terrific accomplishment. Sarah (@sarahplusbook), the dystopian editor for Shelf Unbound, reviewed Blue Karma this summer and encouraged me to submit it. Thanks, Sarah: here’s further proof that authors need to listen to their readers! Seeing my book … More “Blue Karma” A Finalist in Shelf Unbound Indie Book Competition