Recent Periodical Publications:
Journalist writing for the Pantagraph, Bloomington, Il (circulation 50,000) since 1996: primarily features but also fiction, historical
pieces, and currently a weekly restaurant review page.
Magazine fiction pieces for children:
"A Hole in the Middle," Cricket, August 1995
"Too Many Cats," Spider, March 1997
Book Publications:
Leaving Emma, Clarion (Houghton Mifflin), 1999
Forthcoming Publications:
Two novels in progress
Awards and Fellowships:
Leaving Emma: Winner of International Librarian’s Award
Currently nominated for William Allen White Award
Currently nominated for Sequoyah Award
Recent Readings:
Various reading of Leaving Emma throughout Central Illinois
Recent Workshops/Master Classes
Creve Coeur School District 76, Creve Coeur, Il: March-April 2001 (keynote speech for Young Authors Program)
Bent School, 2001, classroom speech on writing
Washington School, Bloomington, IL, 2000, Reading Day Speaker
Trinity Lutheran School, Bloomington, Il, 2000 (Ran workshops for grade school teachers)
Illinois State University summer seminar for teachers in writing (workshops, summer of 1999 and 2000)
Illinois State Young Author’s Conference, Illinois State University, speaker,
panel discussion participant and workshop leader, May 1999 and May 2000
Many other school visits, 1999 - present
Speeches at various civic organization and clubs, 1998 - present
Available year-round for readings, lectures, master classes, and workshops in any part of the state.
Fees:
Performance: $350 to $500
Performance plus educational activities: $350 to $500
Technical Requirements: Minimal
Preferred Audience: Flexible. I have enjoyed working with everyone from aspiring young authors (grade school age) to seniors. I also enjoy working with teachers, aspiring journalists and
anyone who wants to learn more about the craft of writing.
