I fell in love with reading as a child and I am honored to bring this love to children through my own books and connected works.

My first published book, "Everyone's Sleepy but the Baby," will be published in March 2021 by Familius, a growing independent book publisher based in California. The book is illustrated by Adele Dafflon. I wrote this book as a sleep-deprived new mom and I hope it will help other exhausted parents laugh through the long nights, and maybe convince their children to sleep. More importantly, I am excited that creating a book geared to 0-2 year olds could help spark a love of reading even before a baby has its first laugh. The spare, poetic text evokes the humor, beauty, and frustration of new parenthood. I collaborated with the publisher and illustrator to create a sweet and silly visual layer to the story, while representing safe sleeping environments.

My second published book, "Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat," will be published in August 2021 by Sourcebooks, and will be illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff. This book shows bats trick or treating for bugs. A fun rhyming main text should bring smiles to kids, while a non-fictional addendum gives educators opportunities to use this book as a way to make science fun. I worked with the publisher and illustrator to increase the accuracy of the illustrations while remaining appealing to kids. I have a third picture book contracted with Sourcebooks which is still taking shape but which will also be an educational, fun picture book.

I am already working on expanding the impact of my books and writing beyond the printed page. For "Everyone's Sleepy," I will donate a copy of the book for every preorder receipt I receive at [email protected]. I plan to host free events focused on stories and books for young families when it is safe to do so.

For "Trick or Treat," I am planning Halloween-based giveaways so kids can get free books along with their edible treats. I am also planning school visits and library events that will encourage a love of reading, writing, and science.

I am working on a revision of a historical novel about the St. Louis, a ship of Jewish refugees that was turned away from the US, Cuba, and Canada in 1939. The novel follows a teenage passenger and a young crew member who is half-Jewish and hiding his ancestry. The two join together to stop a Nazi on board from completing a spy mission in Havana.

I have attached the first chapter.

The novel is geared toward young adult readers, defined in the publishing industry as ages 14-18. While the main purpose of the novel is to tell a good story, my hope is that bringing this story to the attention of young readers will help educate future generations about the Holocaust and increase empathy toward the millions of refugees in the world today. Refugees are still being turned away from the US border and sent home to peril. I have spent years researching this novel thanks to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, St. Louis Legacy Project, descendants of survivors, and more. This novel is complete and I am working with my literary agent to prepare it to submit to publishers.

I have completed three other unpublished novels focused on young people but am galvanized by my love of writing and researching this historical novel. I hope to follow in the footsteps of novelists like Linda Sue Park and Ruta Sepetys who have built careers writing fiction that shines a light on history for readers of many ages.

As a freelance editor, I work with many writers locally and nationally on books, essays, and short stories. Many of my projects have been regional in nature. As an editor, I work to help authors reach their visions and realize their books' full potential.

I served as an editor for the "Baltimore Love Project Book," a photojournalistic review of the 20 murals around Baltimore created by artist Michael Owen and executive director Scott Burkholder. The book was written by Rafael Alvarez and photographed by Sean Scheidt.

I edited "The Holy Shroud: A Brilliant Hoax in the Time of the Black Death" and helped author Gary Vikan, former director of the Walters Art Gallery, find his publisher, Pegasus Books. "The Holy Shroud" explores who made the famous Shroud believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus, when they made it, and how they made it. Vikan uncovers why the Catholic Church persists in perpetuating the myth behind this false relic.

Branching out from Baltimore, I worked with author Candace Buford on her book "Kneel," which will be published in 2021 by Harper Collins. "Kneel" follows a high school football player who refuses to stand for the National Anthem as a protest of police violence.

In addition to my work on published books, I also help many new writers hone their craft. When it is safe to do so, I plan to host gatherings of experienced and new writers to help the growth of the Baltimore literary scene.

I am passionate about helping people find their voices by improving their writing.

My work as an educator has spanned from working with Baltimore City high school students, to teaching undergraduates at the University of Baltimore, to leading continuing education classes via Johns Hopkins Odyssey program. Whether my students are taking my courses as a requirement or for fun, I aim to inspire them to see themselves as writers and use their voices.

Last semester, I taught an Odyssey course, "Writing Your Novel," which I hope will result in a few published novels from students. In the spring, I am teaching a workshop on writing first pages for the same program.

I also lead programming for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators MD/DE/WV region, where I serve as the membership and social media coordinator. Recently, I moderated a panel about different publishing paths (self, hybrid, or traditional), and a panel about building long-term careers in writing for children.

When it is safe, I plan to offer classes, workshops, and gatherings, many for free, via bookstores, schools, and libraries, locally and nationally. This spring, I have a webinar about writing picture books planned via the Orange County Library System in Florida. I have offered free webinars, articles, and courses via Reedsy, an organization geared toward helping self-published authors. I also regularly publish free resources on my own website.