For the Press

In the 90s I lived in the Pacific Northwest. Images of orcas were everywhere, from the plush toys in the gift shop at the Seattle Aquarium to the carvings of several indigenous groups in the area. 

Then in 1997 a pod of orcas turned up where they didn't belong—practically in my own backyard! Every day there were stories in the newspaper about them and visitors came from far and wide to see them. But for those of us lucky enough to live near Dyes Inlet where 19 orcas came to hang out for a while, daily glimpses of fins and tails, not to mention entire creatures bursting into the air, were thrilling. I developed a huge crush.

We are living in scary times. For a number of reasons. But of all the things to be concerned about and to fight for, I think preserving our environment should be at the top of the list. 

My wish is that readers will see Carla, the protagonist in my novel, as someone to emulate.

Scientists have done so much to impress upon us the urgency of slowing climate change. But it's ordinary people who can and MUST make it happen. Whether that’s by creating less waste at home or by standing up to people in power and making your voice heard, each of us can have an impact on the world around us.

I love to answer this question. It’s one I get asked often. The first part is easier to explain than the second, so I’ll start there. The term “upmarket” describes novels that fall somewhere between literary fiction and commercial fiction, blending elements of both.

When I say the words “women’s fiction” aloud to readers, I see them cringe. A little or a lot. The term sounds outdated, but I read something recently that put the term in a new light. It comes down to the fact that women’s voices have been dismissed for centuries. Until all writers are included without bias, we need a place where we don’t have to ask if our stories matter.

Early influences were Anne Tyler, Joyce Carol Oates, and Jane Hamilton. These were authors my mother enjoyed and encouraged me to read in my teens and twenties. I still love them. My current favorites are Ann Patchett, Barbara Kingsolver, and Elizabeth Strout.

I think what these authors have in common — besides the fact that they are all women — is that they write about the real world. Their books gave me the confidence to write about everyday people living in a world without wizards or dragons or spaceships. Just people struggling through life, finding paths to happiness, and showing readers the way.

Publishing has changed immensely. Not just in my lifetime but even in the last five years. Self-publishing was once the last resort for authors whose books weren't chosen by one of the “Big Five” publishers.

Fortunately, times have changed. There is no longer a stigma attached to indie authors. For me, self-publishing was the best option. It allowed me to have full control over the project, from choosing the cover to the timing of its release.

An idea for a new novel has been percolating for some time now. However, I plan to let that story build and develop in my mind for a while longer before diving in to write it. I have another project I need to finish first. Most of my writing experience and success has been with short stories, so I am returning to a place of comfort by producing a very special collaborative collection. I hope to get the collection out in 2027.