The literary anthology Book by Authors published two of my short stories in 2006. The 300-word pieces of flash fiction were “Birds” (about a boy who learns a valuable life lesson after shooting one such creature) and “Today’s the Day” (about a man who has decided to confess his secret). Six years later, “Birds” is still one of… Read more about “Birds” Short Story Featured
The first story in my debut collection The Lookout is “Gone Fishing,” an absurd romp at the dentist’s office where our hero Seamus prays to survive his hygienist/tormentor so he can go fishing at the lake. Here’s the cut off: She released the chair’s lever without warning. Seamus’ body dropped a good two feet, practically giving him… Read more about The Lookout’s “Gone Fishing” & Shelley Berman
My debut collection of short stories is now available. Published by King’s Men Press, The Lookout and Other Stories is my first book bringing together both previously published and world premiere tales: “Gone Fishing” – In this humorous tale, Seamus can’t wait to begin his weekend at the lake, but first he has to make one… Read more about The Lookout Available Now
People often joke about the impracticality of an English degree. After all, our major doesn’t teach us accounting or engineering or law or any of those hard skills the job market values. Even I poke fun a bit—always with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, of course—because I know our myriad of soft skills such… Read more about Eulogy for My Father
This week marks a big step forward in my writing career: I sat for my first interview. That’s right. Yours truly was the subject for an eighth grade honors English student researching her future career as a novelist. Alexandra’s questions were elegant and informed, thoughtful and thorough; so she has set the bar for my… Read more about My First Interview
I was in Los Angeles on September 11, 2001, the city where several planes were supposed to arrive but never did. My memories of that day are still as vivid as they were ten years ago—a third of my life ago. Being nineteen and a freshman in college, your world is supposed to change. It’s… Read more about Ten Years Later
“I’m a writer.” “Cool. A screenwriter?” “Yes, but mostly a novelist.” Silence. “Oh.” § This is how introductory conversations function in Hollywood, the city brimming with worldwide cinematic hopefuls. I can spot the recent transplants fairly accurately, too. It’s a skill developed by LA natives. (Yes, we exist.) I don’t have anything against film people,… Read more about Hello