Biography
The Short Version
Writing Experience:
* fiction: children's picture book and historical fiction manuscripts, short memoir pieces, adult popular press and historical articles
* business world: business and marketing plans, speeches, foundation grants, corporate sponsorship proposals, marketing and advertising copy, ghostwriting speeches/proposals/correspondence for CEO's, website content
* nonfiction: classroom presentations on descriptive writing, humor in children's books, the writing process, writing as a career
Professional Affiliations:
5 year member, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Education:
BA in Early Childhood Education (major in psychology, minors in natural and social science), University of Michigan, 1984, certified to teach preschool - 5th grade
Work Experience: (chronologically)
*Preschool and Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher, and Interim Director of University-affiliated preschool in Ann Arbor
*Assistant to "Businessman of the Year" -- recognized quadraplegic entrepreneur -- in Los Angeles
*Business plan writer and new business development officer for boutique investment bank in Ann Arbor
*Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer for University of Rochester Medical Center
*Associate Director of Development for Children's Hospital and Medical Center at University of Rochester
*Development Officer for Marquette General Hospital/Health Systems
*Immediate Past Volunteer President, Superiorland Ski Club non-profit organization and current coordinator of Ski Cats, a learn-to-Nordic ski program for children
*currently, freelance website content development through independent contract with Northern Initiatives, Inc., a business development specialist
Personal:
*born and raised in Hillsdale, MI. Now live in Marquette, MI
(8 hours apart in the same state!)
on the shore of Lake Superior
* married to Wally (22 years!) with 3 beautiful and mostly lovely daughters ages 12-16
* owned by Roxy, a blonde labradoodle
* when not writing, I love to run/hike/bike/ski/snowshoe in the woods, windsurf/kayak/sail/SUP on the lake and hang out with friends and family
* my favorite places in the world: our beach, my family farm, my blue reading chair, Tuscany, Baja Mexico,
Hattaras, NC, Hood River, OR
The Longer Version
I'm originally from Hillsdale, Michigan, a small farming community in lower Michigan. I grew up riding horses, picking rocks from fields by hand to ready them for planting, swimming and boating on our lake, playing with cousins, but mostly reading on a patchwork quilt in the yard, up in a tree, hidden in the bathroom -- wherever and whenever I could.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from University of Michigan. I taught preschool and after-kindergarten enrichment classes at Madeline Pound House Children's Center in Ann Arbor and ended up running the center for a year. I loved working with the teachers, interns, and support staff there and became interested in learning more about business.
During a break in my husband's education, we traveled to Los Angeles for a year. I worked with a well-known quadraplegic entrepreneur, Reeve Darling, and learned more about business. This lead to a great job back in Ann Arbor as a business plan writer. We moved to Rochester, NY for more schooling (!) and I landed a job in the development department (fundraising) at the University of Rochester. After four years there, I was asked to lead the Development office for the children's hospital and medical center.
After my husband completed his schooling, our first daugher was born and we moved to his home town, Marquette, in the Upper Peninsula. I immediately fell in love with the community and all the surrounding beauty. I went to work part time as a fundraiser for the regional medical center but after daughter #2, I left my corporate job and became a volunteer for their schools and the Ski Club.
In 2004, I packed up the children (ages 5, 7 & 9)and took a month to travel to the Southwest pulling a travel trailer. It was a wonderful learning and togetherness experience. In the evenings when our little trailer was quiet, I began to write down some of the stories I'd been telling my children.
I joined SCBWI, enlisted critique services from Laura Backes (from CBI Newsletter), wrote, revised, wrote, revised, attended many conferences, worked with fellow writers and began sending manuscripts to selected publishers. In 2007, I won the SCBWI-Michigan Mentorship Competition and had the wonderful opportunity to work with Lynne Rae Perkins (Newbery Award author of Criss Cross). I am currently writing and seeking publication for my manuscripts.
I also freelance as a writer for Northern Initiatives, a business development company based Marquette who develop business and marketing plans including websites for their clients.
Writing Experience:
* fiction: children's picture book and historical fiction manuscripts, short memoir pieces, adult popular press and historical articles
* business world: business and marketing plans, speeches, foundation grants, corporate sponsorship proposals, marketing and advertising copy, ghostwriting speeches/proposals/correspondence for CEO's, website content
* nonfiction: classroom presentations on descriptive writing, humor in children's books, the writing process, writing as a career
Professional Affiliations:
5 year member, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Education:
BA in Early Childhood Education (major in psychology, minors in natural and social science), University of Michigan, 1984, certified to teach preschool - 5th grade
Work Experience: (chronologically)
*Preschool and Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher, and Interim Director of University-affiliated preschool in Ann Arbor
*Assistant to "Businessman of the Year" -- recognized quadraplegic entrepreneur -- in Los Angeles
*Business plan writer and new business development officer for boutique investment bank in Ann Arbor
*Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer for University of Rochester Medical Center
*Associate Director of Development for Children's Hospital and Medical Center at University of Rochester
*Development Officer for Marquette General Hospital/Health Systems
*Immediate Past Volunteer President, Superiorland Ski Club non-profit organization and current coordinator of Ski Cats, a learn-to-Nordic ski program for children
*currently, freelance website content development through independent contract with Northern Initiatives, Inc., a business development specialist
Personal:
*born and raised in Hillsdale, MI. Now live in Marquette, MI
(8 hours apart in the same state!)
on the shore of Lake Superior
* married to Wally (22 years!) with 3 beautiful and mostly lovely daughters ages 12-16
* owned by Roxy, a blonde labradoodle
* when not writing, I love to run/hike/bike/ski/snowshoe in the woods, windsurf/kayak/sail/SUP on the lake and hang out with friends and family
* my favorite places in the world: our beach, my family farm, my blue reading chair, Tuscany, Baja Mexico,
Hattaras, NC, Hood River, OR
The Longer Version
I'm originally from Hillsdale, Michigan, a small farming community in lower Michigan. I grew up riding horses, picking rocks from fields by hand to ready them for planting, swimming and boating on our lake, playing with cousins, but mostly reading on a patchwork quilt in the yard, up in a tree, hidden in the bathroom -- wherever and whenever I could.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from University of Michigan. I taught preschool and after-kindergarten enrichment classes at Madeline Pound House Children's Center in Ann Arbor and ended up running the center for a year. I loved working with the teachers, interns, and support staff there and became interested in learning more about business.
During a break in my husband's education, we traveled to Los Angeles for a year. I worked with a well-known quadraplegic entrepreneur, Reeve Darling, and learned more about business. This lead to a great job back in Ann Arbor as a business plan writer. We moved to Rochester, NY for more schooling (!) and I landed a job in the development department (fundraising) at the University of Rochester. After four years there, I was asked to lead the Development office for the children's hospital and medical center.
After my husband completed his schooling, our first daugher was born and we moved to his home town, Marquette, in the Upper Peninsula. I immediately fell in love with the community and all the surrounding beauty. I went to work part time as a fundraiser for the regional medical center but after daughter #2, I left my corporate job and became a volunteer for their schools and the Ski Club.
In 2004, I packed up the children (ages 5, 7 & 9)and took a month to travel to the Southwest pulling a travel trailer. It was a wonderful learning and togetherness experience. In the evenings when our little trailer was quiet, I began to write down some of the stories I'd been telling my children.
I joined SCBWI, enlisted critique services from Laura Backes (from CBI Newsletter), wrote, revised, wrote, revised, attended many conferences, worked with fellow writers and began sending manuscripts to selected publishers. In 2007, I won the SCBWI-Michigan Mentorship Competition and had the wonderful opportunity to work with Lynne Rae Perkins (Newbery Award author of Criss Cross). I am currently writing and seeking publication for my manuscripts.
I also freelance as a writer for Northern Initiatives, a business development company based Marquette who develop business and marketing plans including websites for their clients.
Books are always better when read in a rocking chair
