photo by Lewis J. Beilman II
In my spare time, I am a fiction writer who primarily writes short stories. Because I am concerned about the state of the country, I try not to shy away from topics and situations that will make readers uncomfortable, and often write about subject matter that at least tangentially addresses political and cultural topics.
We live at a time when the country is at the brink of regression. Will we be the ones who allow the country once more to become a bastion of bigotry, chauvinism, and greed? Or will we push for inclusion, equity, and progress? Obviously, my stories can’t predict what our country will become—but I try to provide insight into what different versions of our country could look like, as a warning of sorts, in the hope we choose progress.
My works represent several visions of a changing United States and feature characters who either embrace or reject the changes they experience. Issues the stories address include immigration, racial and ethnic divisions, and sexual identity, among others. Some of the stories reach firm conclusions, while others end enigmatically—and many of the stories likely will create a certain level of discomfort in readers.
A good example of how I address an issue like immigration in a story is in “Amigos.” In that story, a former factory worker is on suicide watch in a hospital after his wife’s death. His interaction with an immigrant janitor helps him to sweep away his anger and bigotry.
If you want to connect directly, you can reach me via the Contact box on my website or on Twitter.