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
My debut story collection, Secrets and Other Hobbies, has been selected by Cornerstone Press for its Legacy Series. Cornerstone will release the book October 20, 2026. Preorders available. ORDERS:
OCTOBER 28, 6:00 PM, 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 (MORE TO COME!):
NOVEMBER 6, 6:30 PM, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Celebrate with me! We'll talk, then I'll read a little and sign your books.
NOVEMBER 17, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA Magers & Quinn book sellers, 3038 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis. Rambling and reading with conversation partner Lisa DuRose and fellow debut fiction author Tamara Skidmore. Books can be preordered on the store website.
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?
