***Announcing*** My New Picture Book: GRANNY SMITH WAS NOT AN APPLE in 2023. Mara Conlon at Peter Pauper Press has purchased world rights...to be illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod! Don't miss a rootin' tootin' parent/teacher guide for THIS COWGIRL AIN'T KIDDIN' ABOUT THE POTTY. A big "Yee Haw" to Debbie Gonzales for her creative endeavor. I first introduced my little cowgirl at The Writing Barn in Texas and Mara Conlon, editor at Peter Pauper Press was in the house, er...Barn. Then Russ Cox brought that cowgirl to life in his bold and brilliant illustrations, Ain't Kiddin'! For me, writing is a second career. I was an educator for a long time and probably still am in a sense. I love my new life as a writer. I've enjoyed summers at Iowa's Writing Festival and one summer at Northwestern University's Talent Development Center where I taught creative writing to gifted elementary and middle schoolers. In winter I've painted in Fairhope, Alabama at the infamous art studio, which was once a gas station. Illustration is probably not in my future, but sometimes stories form in my head while I paint. I enjoy taking writing classes online and on site. In addition to Picture Book Intensives at The Writing Barn, I've attended classes at Highlights Foundation, the Marvelous Midwest Conference and the Picture Book Summit. I'm intrigued with writing picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, but have middle grade projects as well. Thank you for visiting my site. I hope you'll check out the rest of it while you're here.