a bit about me

I was born and raised in Washington, DC and live in Southern California with my family of five.  Poetry was my first writing love, and I earned an MFA in it from the University of Maryland. Over the years I’ve taught high school English, tutored, led teenage book clubs, facilitated poetry groups for homeless writers, and run a local art studio.  

My favorite books to read have always been middle grade fiction, especially stories with everyday magic. Not long ago, I wrote one of my own. Race to the Great Invention is a magical adventure about friendship and what it means to truly see. These days I get to travel to schools and talk with kids about my book, writing, and the creative process. 

Even as I pursue kids’ lit and nonfiction, I never can shake poetry. My poems have been published in many journals, including Image, Poet Lore, Thrush, Indiana Review, Prairie Schooner, Missouri Review, ând Smartish Pace.  I’m a proofreader for the journal Rattle, and this spring will publish my first poetry chapbook Simple Fact.

I spend most of my days raising my three kids and writing.  I also teach art workshops for kids and adults. I’m sold on the connection between creativity and wholeness and love making space for people to explore. As a trained spiritual director, I meet directees 1-on-1 and also lead retreats where silence, art, and play meet. 

In the margins, I’m often hunting neighborhoods for Little Libraries, photographing my way through walks, digging around thrift stores, and hanging out with Birdie, my new puppy.