I began my career writing articles for several regional and national magazines and won the Los Angeles Pierce College 5th Annual Writers’ Conference Award for outstanding magazine article.  I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Women Writing the West (WWW).  

I’ve co-chaired Young Authors Conferences, taught writing workshops for children, provided in-service training/seminars for teachers, directed a student-run newspaper, created a musical reader’s theater performance of The Gingerbread Cowboy for the Santa Clarita Children’s Art and Literacy Festival and lectured on children’s books and the creative writing process for children and adults. 

In addition to school and Public library visits, I’ve presented at the SCLLN (Southern California Library Literacy Network) Conference, the Arizona State Young Author’s Conference and the LAUSD Passport to Reading Festival.

Honors and Awards

The Gingerbread Cowboy was selected by Dr. Peggy Sharp for her “What’s New and Best in Children’s Literature” list and is featured by Dr. Sharp in her presentations “What’s New in Children’s Literature and How to Use it in Your Program.” 

The Gingerbread Cowboy was declared the Arizona Governor’s 2007 First Grade Book and a special edition of 100,000 copies was printed for distribution to every first grade student in Arizona.

FAQ’s