About the Author
Fun Facts About Me
While earning my PhD, I researched emotions, emotional intelligence, and personality. I use my knowledge in scientific research in emotions and personality to form realistic, complex characters.
I also researched weight discrimination during graduate school. Because of my background. I have a deep understanding of controllability beliefs and just world fallacies that facilitate bias, and I bring that understanding to my writing.
I’m a leftie. Playing the ukulele southpaw style was my favorite way to unwind while earning my PhD.
I am a University of Miami alumna and managed to earn my degree without once going to a single Hurricanes game. Instead, I used game day to do my laundry.
More Fun Facts
I grew up in a historic house in Jacksonville, FL. My home was built in the 1930s, in a state where anything built before the 1980s is considered an ancient monument to a long-lost civilization.
I was born in a naval hospital in full view of sulfur pits once thought to be an entrance to the underworld.
I am addicted to exercise. After seven years together, my significant other has learned that I must be walked every day like a high-energy dog.
I’ve been an anime and manga fan for over 20 years (Sailor Moon was my gateway drug). When I watch TV, I often occupy my hands with adult coloring books for Inuyasha, Attack on Titan, and Cowboy Bebop.
Why I Write
I believe “social justice warrior” shouldn’t be an insult. All of my writing focuses on societal injustices, from prejudice to economic inequity and America’s dwindling middle class. Outside of my creative writing, I research discrimination and bias in the workforce.
While earning my PhD, I researched the role of personality and emotions in the workplace. This knowledge has inspired me to create worlds where emotions generate magical energy. I also use this expertise to create realistic characters with authentic emotional experiences.
I have a disability that, besides interfering with daily activities like sitting, is super taboo to talk about. Since I can’t discuss my condition, I channel that pain into my writing. All my character experience prejudice or social isolation in some form of another. They also have my dark sense of humor.
I was diagnosed with OCD in my twenties, and ADHD in my thirties. Most of my characters are neurodivergent in some way, in part because most books, movies, and TV shows treat my disorders like a joke.
