About Me
I write speculative fiction, mainly fantasy and soft sci-fi. I am also a writing craft instructor for Authors Publish.
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I am currently querying a science fantasy series. The first manuscript, Awakener, was a Page Turner Awards finalist for 2022 and went further to make the long list for the 2023 Awards. My new stand-alone WIP, The Weather Watcher, made the longlist cut for the 2024 Page Turner Awards.
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I also write short fiction and have been published in places like Flash Fiction Online, Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, and Factor Four Magazine. I received numerous honorable mentions from L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Award and was a finalist for the Parsec Short Story Award.​
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A few all-time favorite authors: Terry Goodkind, Brandon Sanderson, Patricia McKillip, Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Butcher, C.S. Freidman
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*No, sadly I am not the Erin Swann who has over 20 romance novels published, we just share a name and a love for writing.
Interested in more?
I teach online classes with Authors Publish that focus on reader connection, emotional investment, and have a strong emphasis on building the writers' community. Check out my live lecture with them on Emotional Investment, and my live lecture on Show and Tell, which gives a preview of how I run my classes.
I've lived in Maryland my whole life and have been working in art education since 2008, inspiring young minds to find their voices. When I find the time, I work on my own art as well and sell some of it online.
My art portfolio can be found here.
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I'm married to the love of my life, who gives me feedback on my stories and gave me the courage to share them with others. I am a stepmother to two amazing girls and have 5 adopted cats who are all sweethearts.
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I often come up with my best stories between the hours of 2 am and 4 am. I wake up in the middle of the night, grab my phone, and email ideas to myself. It's an exciting thing to wake up to later, though it's probably not great for my health!
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I also love cooking/baking--whether it's a good brioche, raspberry truffles, or pastitsio--and playing video games when I should be doing something more productive.
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