Back at the end of 2018 (which was surely much more than five years ago), I gave a TEDx talk called “Do Something Worth Writing,” inspired by a Ben Franklin quote: “Either write something worth reading, or do something worth writing.” I emerge from lengthy silence to share that I have been occupied with the latter! Here’s some of what I’ve been up to.

I published a poetry book. Its launch party was, sadly, scuttled due to the pandemic, but I gave a second (virtual) TEDx talk about the relevance and power of poetry in difficult times.

I got married. Let me just say that if plotting out an epic fantasy series was complicated, planning a pandemic-era wedding in which no one got sick was a whole new level. But we did, and it was so worth it. (Recognize the text on those paper roses?)

I moved across the country (twice). You’ll still find my signed books in the Campbell Books Inc. store, but if you’re looking for me in person, you’ll now find me in Colorado! (More on that later.) If you’d like to host me for a virtual school visit or pay my travel expenses to another location, let’s talk

I published several new poems (and joined the editorial staff of a literary magazine, Foreshadow)!

I became a book auntie. If you haven’t already read Daniel Sayre’s superhero novel Becoming Glitch, go do it—especially because it’s now available as a really great audiobook!

I fulfilled my longtime dream of visiting a hobbit hole.

I earned my master’s degree in theopoetics and writing—an awesome fusion of everything I love to learn about!

The Illuminator’s Gift celebrated a decade in print!

I became a parent: quite possibly my greatest creative venture ever. I now realize that I wrote Baby Tal of The Illuminated Kingdom in great ignorance, which led to some unreasonable scenarios (e.g. taking fantastic voyages on very little sleep). However, there is some truth to the general miraculousness of tiny humans, even if they do not all have magical healing fingers.

2024 now finds me ready to turn the next page as a writer and a human being. It may be slow (see aforementioned tiny human), and I have little idea where the path will lead next, except to new writing which will hopefully be worth reading.

I also hope to establish a bookish community in my new home in the Denver metro area! Toward that goal, this Saturday is my first in-person event in a VERY long time: the Westminster Art & Authors Showcase. If you’re in the Denver area, I hope you’ll come see me and catch up!