About the Author 1

I was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. I have been writing poetry and fiction almost since I learned the alphabet.

My first major opus was a joint project with my best friend in fourth grade. We wrote a sequel to 101 Dalmatians and sent it to Walt Disney Studios. Disney rejected the manuscript, but we received a very kind letter from Disney's secretary. I continued to write stories, poems, and "novels."

I attended St. Olaf College and Macalester College (both in Minnesota), graduating from the latter with a double-major in English and Russian. I lived in North Carolina for 25 years. Jobs I have held include technical editor for a bank holding company, educational software purchasing agent, legal secretary, advertising executive, and public relations and communication specialist.

My first nonfiction adult book was published by The Globe Pequot Press in 2000. Since then I have written eight other books for Globe. My first picture book was published in 2009 by Sylvan Dell Publishing, who published my second picture book in 2011 and will publish my third in 2012.

I now live in Pendleton, South Carolina, with my high school sweetheart and five cats. I have two adult children. I work from home as a writer and copyeditor.