The short version of my biography is this: I am a writer and editor who lives and works in Chicago. The long version of the story has a beginning about growing up in a steel town in the Midwest and a middle about moving to the big city after college with no specific aspirations in mind, just a general sense of anticipation stuffed into the corner of my suitcase. Many years and adventures later, I'm still here in Chicago, dug in deep—even though I often imagine myself living in a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin and on Friday nights, driving in to town to sing at a little piano bar. Or maybe living in a rickety thatched-roof hut on a Caribbean beach...and on Friday nights, driving in to town to sing at a little piano bar. I wrote my first book, Human Slices, during the time I was enrolled in graduate school, majoring in creative writing, at Columbia College in Chicago. It's a love story with a female protagonist who is quite happily childfree by choice, like me. My professional background includes extensive experience as a magazine editor, writing teacher, and communications director. I currently offer freelance editorial services to authors who seek help with story and character development, copy editing, and line-by-line proofreading. I also provide small businesses and associations with communications services, from developing key messages to creating and reviewing newsletters, brochures, web content, and related materials. Three other things about me? (1) I like to laugh really loud. (2) I love cats. (3) I am an obsessive maker of lists, constantly scribbling on scratch paper, backs of envelopes, and sticky notes.