About the Author

1) What made you want to become a writer?

I first decided I wanted to become an author right after high school. I was getting ready to apply to college and wasn’t surewhat I wanted to study. I knew I loved to read. That led to the conclusion "Why not write?"

I was so naïve about what that really meant.

Along the way, taking creative writing courses in college, attending writing workshops, and tinkering away on various projects, I learned how much I really loved creating stories. I loved pushing myself to get better so I could create the stories people will enjoy.

2) Where do you get your story ideas?

Everywhere. Sometimes while reading a book or watching a movie or tv show, some little bit of it gives me an idea for a story or part of a story, usually taking the idea in a new direction that excites me. I also
like to read science and technology magazines such as Scientific American or non-fiction books in a variety of subjects that give me inspiration for my novels. Occasionally life just hits you with ideas.

I try to be open to inspiration everywhere.

3) Why do you write YA SciFi?

To entertain and inspire young teens. When I was growing up, I often found science to be rather dull in school. My classes largely required me to memorize facts that held little interest and I couldn’t understand the benefits. It was only as an adult that I learned all the really cool ways in which science and technology improves the world around us and enriches our lives.

One of my drivers in writing is to show how cool science can be within a story that is highly entertaining and fun.

4) Why do you write thrillers/suspense and crime fiction under your middle name?

As much as I enjoy my YA scifi stories, I also love reading Michael Connelly's Harry Bosh and Lincoln Lawyer novels, Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series, Stephen King. Along the way, I've come up with other ideas that I want to share with the world, the first of which is The Community.

5) What's special about Space City?

Space City is meant to be a space exploration series that is exciting. A cool city/ship in space designed to look like Earth for those living on it, but with aliens and so many other wonders. The books are filled with adventure and humor to keep you turning the page, all the while weaving in the latest advancements in science and technology to both bring the world to life, and provide tools for which Neil Ericson and his friends can overcome the many obstacles they face.

6) When does the next book come out?

I'm making my final pass through Space City End of Life, book five in the series. Once I finish that, I'll send to my editor for final edits as I prepare for publication. After I finish that, I've got a complete draft of my first FBI crime fiction novel with a developmental editor. I plan to take her feedback and work that one toward publication.

7) How many books will there be in the Space City series?

For the main novels, Neil’s and Riagan’s story, the plan is four books. Then for the collections of short stories, there will be at least two (Escape and Contact Not Found). I know there is at least one more short story or novella that I need to write before the concluding the series. Then it will be on to something new!