About

This is me. Writer. Explorer. Mother. You’ll often find me in my hobbit hole at the local Mr. Donuts or at a hole-in-the-wall cafe. I have three chief writing ambitions:

1. Write a book that makes me proud. (check)
2. Publish that book and write more!
3. Read Miura Ayako’s Freezing Point in the original Japanese.

I’m a SCBWI member, have several magazine publications through Calvary Chapel magazine, including cover stories on Nepal and world travel, and was selected for PitchSlam 2016, Pitch2Publication16, and PitchMAS.

In my pre-toddler years, I offered story analysis for aspiring authors and often spoke on Creative Writing. I’m a volunteer editor for TeensPublish, a program to teach and inspire teen authors, started by the fabulous Molly Blaisdell, author of Rembrandt and the Boy Who Drew Dogs.

I’m represented by Kaitlyn Johnson at Belcastro Agency.

My interest in Japan began in college after graduating with BA in Spanish and Intercultural Studies. My Spanish Adviser handed me my diploma along with a book of 501 Kanji and told me, the Spanish Magna Cum student, to consider teaching English in Japan. I did. And I was enchanted. Years later I met my husband, a third generation expat in Asia. I’ve conducted a vast array of research on many Japanese topics from the 2011 Tohoku quake and mizuko jizo to suicide forest and Japan’s exquisite array of strawberries.

Lastly, here’s to you Mr. Donuts! Cheers