About the Writer
I am, by day, a public relations specialist at a medical center in upstate New York. I do PR and media relations for many hospital departments. By night and on weekends, I am a children’s writer who pens middle-grade fiction, as well as nonfiction magazine articles. My fluffy black cat, Cleo, is a huge help to me, laying on papers and books, meowing for kitty treats while I’m at the keyboard... She just wants to be involved in the process. She weighs 16 pounds so it’s difficult to argue.

I grew up in Watertown, NY, on a relatively quiet city street, in a big house with a great porch. In the summer I would sit on that porch in a white wicker chair, my legs dangling over one side, and lose myself in books. When my siblings and friends wanted to play games or ride bikes, I many times opted for a story instead. I couldn’t get enough.

One of the first stories I remember is "Three Billy Goats Gruff," which we read in Mrs. Pinkney’s kindergarten class at Knickerbocker School. We chose parts and performed the story as a play. I don’t remember what part I played but I do remember it was great fun.

Then there were the books I received from my family: "Mama’s Bank Account" from my parents, "Frog and Toad are Friends" from Uncle Art and Aunt Jackie, various fairy tales, the Bobbsey Twins books, the many Nancy Drew mysteries… I could go on and on.

The point is, I have terrific memories about reading and stories that touched me when I was growing up. I think the goal of children’s writers is to create something that entertains readers, and hopefully makes them want to read more and more and more. Reading opens doors to other lands, other lives. It makes everything seem possible. I hope I can do even half as good a job as the authors who impacted me when I was younger, and those who continue to.