Press Kit

1. How has your journey into writing helped you grow as an author? 

I’d considered myself to be a good writer and thought I was well prepared to write a novel, but I was so wrong. I had tons to learn and it was fantastic. My brain lit up like a fireworks finale. I could not get enough. That has since led to meeting incredible people and establishing myself as a member of a writing tribe here in Colorado where I feel really comfortable, really at home. I’m also in a position to give back and help new writers, and I enjoy that very much. 

2. What do you think will surprise readers most about “The Rampart Guards” series?

Every cryptid that appears in the book actually exists! At least on the internet. There are numerous sites that follow and discuss the likelihood that certain creatures exist, and many share photos, videos, historical stories, etc. So if a reader is intrigued by any or all of the cryptids, they can Google that cryptid and make the decision for themselves if that particular creature does or does not exist. 

3. What’s your goal when you’re writing for your readers?

I hope my book lights up their imagination. I want to write stories that are fun to read and give the reader a chance to visit another world for a while. It’s great to let your imagination run free and see where it takes you — it’s energizing. 

4. What has been your favorite or most exciting experience as an author to date?

Have I mentioned I can't pick favorites? And regarding this question, that is definitely true. The entire experience has been one thrill after another. The first time I typed “the end” was amazing, when I found out my story was selected as a finalist in the San Francisco Writers contest I was giddy, the starred review from Kirkus Reviews for “The Rampart Guards” knocked my socks off, the first review from a young reader made me glow inside — and I could go on. Bottom line, being an author makes me happy. 

5. You write such exciting young adult fiction. What advice would you impart to a young, aspiring writer?

When someone criticizes your work, and they will, don't let that knock you down. Take feedback, good and bad, and use it to your advantage. Learn from it and make changes. That may mean you take classes or workshops to improve your skills, or it may give you more awareness of how your work appears to others versus how you see it, or it could give you insight into something else you didn't realize you needed. There are a million possible lessons, but I promise none of them are, "You should quit." 

6. We know writing makes you happy. What else brings delight to your day?

I love the dogs I share my life with. Shea is my mighty dog. She came to me through the Boulder Humane Society after she’d been transferred from Kansas. Her mom was a stray and was going to be euthanized until they saw how far along she was in her pregnancy. A kind soul fostered her and the puppies until they could all be moved to Colorado where they had a better chance at adoption. And I’m happy to say they all found homes, mom-dog included. And Boon, who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, was a love bug adopted from a shelter in Arizona where my mom was living at the time. He’d been there for nearly a year, likely because he looked like he had some pit bull in him. But he was as sweet as sweet can be. Boon’s personality and the misinformation about the pit bull breed inspired me to make Finn — a very cool canine character in the Jason Lex series — a pit bull mix.