Editorial consultant. Fiction writer. Philosophy nerd. Serial blog-launcher. Community volunteer.
Socrates said the unexamined life isn’t worth living, so I examine everything—words, stories, arguments, communities, responsibilities, and the occasional antibiotic side effect. This page is organized by category, because even creative chaos needs a filing system
Editorial Consulting & Professional Writing
Since 2008, I’ve worked as an editorial consultant through Writing, Research, and Editing. I offer writing, research, and editing services to clients around the globe, including book editing, dissertation editing, ghostwriting, and content strategy.
Clients I’ve worked with: C.S. Odessa, MapQuest, Ace Hardware, Marty McKay, Rock The Deadline, and more.
Nonfiction writing: I’ve contributed to the Pop Culture and Philosophy series, written encyclopedia entries on topics ranging from Native American history to social history, and published articles in various magazines and journals.
Co-authored book: Success in Life: Personality Engineering with Murali Chemuturi (2011). A second edition is in the works.
Creative Writing
Fiction
I’ve been telling stories since sixth grade, when I used vocabulary assignments to write about Jamie, a boy who kept finding trouble. My writing style has gotten more sophisticated since then, but my motivation hasn’t changed—I write because there are stories inside me that need to be told.
Current fiction projects:
- Short stories: “Landslide,” “Knit One, Protest Two” (shopping for publication)
- Short story collection in progress: The Man on the Bus and Other Stories
- Novels in progress: Night Song, Dances With Crazy, We Were So Young
- Young Adult Novel in progress: I’ll See You Tomorrow
- Children’s series in progress: The Campfire Chronicles, Clarence W. Bat, Johnny Hoppalong
- Past Projects – Creative team collaboration as a ghostwriter on world-building for a hip-hop concept album
Poetry
I’ve been writing poetry since I was a teenager, inspired by Maya Angelou’s work in Poetic Justice. I’ve had several poems published, including “Flower,” “The Queen of the Tree,” and “Leaving.”
Current poetry project: Shattered To Bits, a collection that will benefit domestic violence organizations.
Independent Scholar
Academic Background
My academic background is in philosophy, with specialization in social and political philosophy, the history of philosophy (particularly Plato, Kant, Hegel, Russell, and Sartre), logic, and ethics.
- MA in Philosophy, Northern Illinois University (2004-2006)
- Ph.D. work, Michigan State University (2006-2007, 30 units completed)
Thesis & Book Project
My Senior Honors Thesis, Much to Do About Suffering (2002), examined the obligations societies have to prevent and alleviate suffering in their citizens. I’m currently expanding this into a book-length manuscript exploring Kantian duties, group responsibility, and levels of suffering.
Ongoing Research
Since leaving graduate school, I’ve continued publishing as an independent scholar. My research interests include suffering and state responsibility, group responsibility, Nietzsche and state legitimacy, Plato’s social theory, biomedical ethics, environmental philosophy, and the impact of social media on community and empathy.
Blogs
Blogs I Own & Run
- Activism My Way – Founded in 2012. Helping people get involved with causes they care about through profiles of organizations, individuals, and cities with actionable suggestions for getting involved.
- Just a Secular Homeschooler – Our family’s secular homeschooling journey.
- Wining Wife – Founded 2012. Lifestyle blog covering wine reviews, recipes, marriage, spirituality, health and body positivity, crafts, home management, and life as a wife.
- The Well-Caffeinated Mom – My main lifestyle blog. It was Wining Wife. I rebranded in late 2022.
- Golden Squirrel Crafts – forthcoming.
Regular Contributor (Past)
- BWD Fabrics – Sewing tutorials, pattern roundups, tips
- Curvy Sewing Collective – Sewing for curvy figures
- Rock The Deadline – Content marketing
Guest Posts
Sofilantjes: “How to Sew a French Seam” (February 2016)
Magazine Projects
Past
Equanimity Magazine – I served as Senior Editor and writer from 2009 until the magazine ended. Equanimity focused on everyday people doing great things and featured interviews with notable figures including Mark Victor Hansen, Kevin Sorbo, Michelle May, Barbara Taylor Bradford, and Gloria Loring.
Forthcoming
The Gadfly Review – [Brief description of what The Gadfly Review is/will be]
Future
I have plans for additional magazine launches. Check back for announcements.
Volunteer & Nonprofit Work
Current
Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland – Troop leader since 2019 for a large multi-level troop. I also serve on the council’s highest awards committee and mentor Girl Scouts working on their Silver and Gold Awards.
Past
Andover Public Library Arts Committee (2023-2024) – Committee member working to bring more art to the library and highlight community artists.
JB Dondolo, Inc. – Served as fundraising coordinator. I wrote a grant for this organization’s work renovating Igusi Hospital and bringing clean water to the facility. The project received a Texas UN award for SDG-6 (Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
Habitat for Humanity, Chico, CA – Worked with Women’s Build on roofing, gutters, framing, sheetrocking, and wiring. Served on grant writing, Brush of Love, and 5K committees.
Stonewall Alliance, Chico, CA – Website content, newsletter editing, communications committee.
Chico Natural Foods Co-op – Edited monthly e-newsletter.
Trinity United Methodist Church, Chico, CA – Church & Society and VBS committees, community service projects.
Professional Links
For a complete list of publications, presentations, and academic work, visit:
Want to work together? Contact me here.