Blog
Our 3rd Teen Story Slam was AMAZING
A year ago, a few writers and I tried something daring. We asked local teens to come out and read something they’d written to a live audience. It could be a poem, a confession, a chapter from a...
Reading Opens Minds selects Radio Head as a book club pick!
I'm thrilled to announce that Reading Opens Minds has chosen my novel RADIO HEAD for book club participants, thanks in part to a generous donation from the John Aaroe Group. Reading Opens Minds, a...
Teen Story Slam is back! Write a story, read it aloud, get a prize
The teen writers asked for it, so we're bringing it back! On October 25, 2017, the Teen Story Slam returns to Westside Pizza! Teen creative writers in grades 7-12 are invited to step up to the mic...
How Sharing Stories Helps Kids (To Help Other Kids)
Please read my latest article on Huffington Post: storybooth: How Sharing Stories Helps Kids (To Help Other Kids) Seventh-grade student Carissa carried a painful memory around with her, but it...
Sign up for Teen Writing Camp on Bainbridge Island!
We're so excited for the 2017 Teen Writing Camp at KRL's Bainbridge Island branch! Calling all Kitsap area teens in grades 7-12! Join me and author Margaret Nevinski for a jam-packed week building...
An introspective chat about my work, with author Lisa Manterfield
Sometimes we receive unexpected treats. An author interview allows us to pause a moment and consider why we're doing the work we are, and what we're really trying to say in our novels. Every time...
High and Mighty Low: An interview with the band
I was asked today why music plays such a big role in my fiction writing, and I remembered an interview I did for Mixtape Methodology with the band High and Mighty Low while researching and writing...
Writer love: 2nd Teen Story Slam was amazing
Last November, a small circle of writers and I tried something daring. We asked local teens to come out and read something they'd written to a live audience. It could be a poem, a confession, a...
Five ways Parents can Help Prevent Cyberbullying
Please read my latest article on Huffington Post: Five ways Parents can Help Prevent Cyberbullying It’s difficult for parents to know if their teen is a victim of cyberbullying. Many teens choose...
Teens, Music & The Sober Curious Movement
Please read my latest article on Huffington Post: Is the Sober Curious Movement the End of Teen Binge Drinking? Created by JAVI_INDY - Freepik.com For many teens, social activities never stop. With...
Our 2nd Teen Story Slam is Coming This Spring!
The teen writers asked for it, so we're bringing it back! On April 20, 2017, the Teen Story Slam returns. This time, we're taking over Island Cool, the huge, popular fro-yo restaurant in Lynwood...
Party for the Oscars – Presented my book!
What an amazing weekend! I had the honor of presenting RADIO HEAD to Oscar nominees, actors, recording artists and press at a pre-Oscar Awards party at the W Hotel in Hollywood! I met some fabulous...
Book event! I presented my novel at the Grammy Awards
Who is the ideal audience for a novel offering an insider's look at the dark reality of the LA rock music scene? Music fans in LA, of course! To celebrate the 2017 Grammy Awards, I had the honor of...
Worried About Your Teen Getting Into College? Consider Music Lessons
Secondary students who participated in a music group at school reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs)
The 2017 Newbery Medal Winner – Read the Opening!
The Newbery awards (both the Medal and the Honor Books) are an obsession at my house. With two Middle Grade-aged readers, and the recent completion of my first MG novel, over the years we have read...
Read on: Recommended media for fans of Ancient Rome …and opera
This is a collection in progress, a heartfelt, juicy and rewarding list of the pieces of research bringing me great joy, inspiration and explosive insights as I attempt to write my third book, a...
6th Grade Shakespeare and Research for my Third Book
This fall was an exciting time of growth for my family. My oldest son graduated to middle school, and became fast friends with a wonderful, funny, creative and cool group of guys. I went back to...
One for you, one for schools!
This Giving Tuesday (Today, November 29), for every Yoobi item purchased on Yoobi.com or a Yoobi owned retail store, Yoobi will double their give back! (If you aren’t familiar with Yoobi, for every...
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