Writing from the Heartland
Secrets and Other Hobbies
release date: October 20, 2026
ABOUT ME
I grew up in La Porte, Indiana, and my childhood there informs my stories, especially those set in the mid-twentieth century. La Porte is a short drive from where Lake Michigan last kisses the Hoosier State. It’s a modest county seat tucked into verdant farmland, with cracked sidewalks and solid people. A controversy recurs occasionally: whether to put a space between the little “a” and big “P.” Other controversies and eccentricities have glimmered below the surface, the kind I like to write about. Characters are my fascination.
NEWS AND EVENTS
“A master class
in Midwestern humanity.”
—Booklist
My debut story collection, Secrets and Other Hobbies, will be released by Cornerstone Press October 20, 2026 as part of its Legacy Series. Preorders available. ORDERS:
OCTOBER 28, 6:00 PM CDT, MADISON, WISCONSIN: Mystery to Me book store, 1863 Monroe Street. Read about this free author event and RSVP at the link below to see my conversation with avid reader and fellow writer Doug Ericson.APPEARANCES:
NOVEMBER 1, 5:30 PM, SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN: Book celebration at Saugatuck Center for the Arts lobby, 400 Culver St., with conversation partner Tony Pastor. A party, interview, reading, book sales by The Book Nook, signing, and special treats.
NOVEMBER 6, 6:30 PM CST, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Celebrate during my conversation with fiction writer Christine Maul Rice! We'll talk, then I'll read a little and sign your books.
NOVEMBER 10, 7:00 PM, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: Event by invitation only at The George, hosted by Marjorie FitzGerald, Nora FitzGerald Meldrum, and Marti Kuehn. Book sales onsite by Carmichael’s.
NOVEMBER 13, 7:00 PM EDT, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN: Literati Bookstore, 124 E. Washington. A chat with writer Wendy Gilbert Gronbeck will precede reading, signing and other book stuff.
NOVEMBER 15, TIME AND LINK TBD: Zoom reading with Michigan Writers members who published books in 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
NOVEMBER 17, 7:00 PM CDT, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Magers & Quinn book sellers, 3038 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis. Rambling and reading with moderator Lisa DuRose and fellow debut fiction author Tamara Skidmore.
NOVEMBER 19, 6:00 PM CST, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STEVENS POINT: Cornerstone Press celebrates its October and November Legacy Series fiction releases!
FEATURED STORY from SECRETS AND OTHER HOBBIES
“Bridge Club”
“Even at six years old, I knew who the alcoholics were. They appeared at my mother’s bridge club late, booze already on their breaths, shedding coats into my knobby arms….”
WHAT’S ON MY MIND?
