Once upon a time, there was a boy with an overactive imagination. . .
I’ve been telling stories my whole life. For fifteen years, I’ve had the extraordinary opportunity of guiding thousands of young people into adulthood. This infuses my books with an unmatched authenticity. As a pre-published author, I’m seeking representation from a literary agent as I work toward traditional publishing. Are you interested in helping bring my stories to life?
I’m always writing new things, and I’ve got more ideas than I can count. Below is an appetizer sample platter of my favorite polished manuscripts:
YOUNG ADULT MANUSCRIPT
COMING OF AGE/HISTORICAL
Set in rural Michigan, during the social upheaval of the early 1990’s, this universal coming-of-age narrative centers on a young man navigating life’s big firsts—the thrill of romantic love, the depths of crippling anxiety and addiction, and the impact of profound loss—all in the shadow of an inescapable family legacy.
PERFECT FOR FANS OF:
THE GREAT COOL RANCH DORITO IN THE SKY by Josh Galarza; DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY by Adib Khorram; ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE by Benjamin Alire Saenz, and fans of L.C. Rosen, A.S. King, and Eliot Schrefer
MIDDLE GRADE MANUSCRIPT
Contemporary Realistic/Summer Camp
Based on my own experiences as a leader in the organized camping industry, this story highlights a group of young people’s drive for change. When the cracks in his new summer home start to show, a lonely 12-year-old and his cabinmates concoct a plan to make things right. In a quest to make camp a place where everyone can belong, Fin learns that doing the right thing is often the hardest thing – and that even the hardest thing is easier with a friend by your side.
PERFECT FOR FANS OF:
TO NIGHTOWL FROM DOGFISH by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer; CAMP QUILTBAG by A.J. Sass and Nicole Melleby; BE PREPARED by Vera Brogsol; and DRUM ROLL PLEASE by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
PICTURE BOOK
Father/Son Coming of Age
In the woods of Northern Michigan, an 8-year-old and his Papa embrace nature to find common ground between seemingly incompatible interests, personalities, and beliefs. This story features art by the author, and while reminding readers that finding connection looks different for every family, and that every color of the rainbow shines brighter under the Northern Michigan sun.
PERFECT FOR FANS OF:
TOWN IS BY THE SEA by Joann Schwartz; MY PAPI HAS A MOTORCYCLE by Isabel Quintero; A BOY LIKE YOU by Frank Murphy, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPING BEAR by Kathy-Jo Wargin, and DADDY LOVES YOU by Helen Foster James
Plus…
A long-awaited Young Adult romcom set at a boarding school. Stay tuned if you like slow burn romance, humor and authenticity that can only come from spending nine years running a boarding school. (Yes, really!)
A YA reimagining inspired by the Mother of all Broadway musicals. Stay tuned if you like musical theatre, stage parents, will they/won’t they romance, and irreverent, Queer humor.
A revolutionary mixed-media novel in notes spotlighting decades of abuse in a beloved American Institution. Stay tuned if you like empowered young people, justice, and complicated stories that provide a light in the dark.
Are you interested in helping me get these stories into the hands of kids who need them?