Kara and I had a great time attending the President's Book Awards dinner on Saturday at FAPACon, the annual conference for the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, where my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, won the Bronze Medal for Autobiography/Memoir. I also had the privilege of getting to know many … Continue reading Finding My Way Home won the 2025 FAPA President’s Bronze Medal for Autobiography/Memoir
Category: News About Me
Thank you, Outdoors Unlimited, for featuring my book
I was honored to have my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, included in the "Bookshelf" section (page 28) of Outdoors Unlimited magazine's Summer 2025 issue. Outdoors Unlimited is the official magazine of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, which I joined earlier this year and which includes as members … Continue reading Thank you, Outdoors Unlimited, for featuring my book
Check out my latest essay in Wilderness House Literary Review
I was honored to have an essay of mine titled "A Suburban Desk Jockey’s Weekend Adventure in the Green Swamp" published today in the summer issue of Wilderness House Literary Review. In this essay, I describe my first point-to-point backpacking trip last June in the Green Swamp West Tract and the Richloam Tract of the … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Wilderness House Literary Review
Check out my article on Go World Travel
My first-ever article in a travel magazine was published this morning in Go World Travel. Titled "Bogesundslandet Nature Reserve: Backpacking Paradise Minutes from Stockholm," it gives practical details about the nature preserve in Sweden where I backpacked last summer. This was the place also described in Chapter 12 of my book and in my recent … Continue reading Check out my article on Go World Travel
Check out my latest essay in Still Point Arts Quarterly
I was thrilled to have an essay of mine titled "Rebirth Beside the Baltic Sea" published today in the summer issue of Still Point Arts Quarterly (on pages 16 through 25). In this essay, I describe backpacking I did in Sweden during a family vacation last summer, which I also describe in Chapter 12 of … Continue reading Check out my latest essay in Still Point Arts Quarterly
My essay “Coining Out” has won Honorable Mention in Four Tulips’ New Beginnings Writing Contest
I was honored to learn last week that an essay of mine titled "Coining Out" was chosen as an Honorable Mention for creative nonfiction in the New Beginnings Writing Contest hosted by Four Tulips, an online literary magazine. "Coining Out" describes the goodbyes I had to say at the conclusion of my partial hospitalization for … Continue reading My essay “Coining Out” has won Honorable Mention in Four Tulips’ New Beginnings Writing Contest
Finding My Way Home will be receiving a 2025 FAPA President’s Book Award
I was thrilled to learn earlier this week that my book, Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, will be winning a 2025 FAPA (Florida Authors and Publishers Association) President's Book Award. Winners are selected in several categories and receive either gold, silver, or bronze medals. I've been selected to receive a medal … Continue reading Finding My Way Home will be receiving a 2025 FAPA President’s Book Award
Thank you to Kate Moses and everyone at Craigardan!
I just had the privilege of spending a magical week in the Adirondack Mountains at the Craigardan Spring Writers Retreat, learning from distinguished author Kate Moses and three brilliant women who will certainly also soon be distinguished authors. I highly recommend this program for any new creative writers looking to learn from the best. After … Continue reading Thank you to Kate Moses and everyone at Craigardan!
Thank you, Sunshine Book Co.!
We were privileged to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with our friends at Sunshine Book Co. yesterday for their author celebration behind the bookstore. Thanks again to the Merrick family, and the other authors with whom we spent the early afternoon. Claire was also a trooper and didn't even demand a cut of sales. We hope … Continue reading Thank you, Sunshine Book Co.!
Come join me (and other authors) at Sunshine Book Co. in Clermont on Saturday, April 26th
Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and I'm thrilled to be joining Sunshine Book Co. for its Independent Bookstore Day celebration all day this Saturday, April 26th at their store at 647 Lake Avenue in Clermont. Among the festivities will be local authors showcasing their books, and I'll be one of them! Sunshine Book Co. is … Continue reading Come join me (and other authors) at Sunshine Book Co. in Clermont on Saturday, April 26th

