I began my career with an adventure. I served two years in the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan, where I taught English and somehow lived without the internet. One day, I received a donation of kids’ magazines. I thought to myself, I could write articles like this. I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my career.

All kinds of writing and editing interest me, though most of my experience is in science and children’s writing and editing. I have published numerous nonfiction books for kids with ABDO, Capstone, Cavendish Square, National Geographic Kids, and more. My books cover a wide variety of topics including robots, video games, artificial intelligence, energy technology, and dinosaurs. I am a contributing editor at Muse magazine with a monthly technology column and regular feature articles. I also write news and features for Science News for Students.

I write for children because I decided at the age of ten that ten was the perfect age to be, and some part of me listened well and never got any older. I love magical fiction–anything that sparkles and makes me say “wow!” I am inspired by Roald Dahl, Stephen King, and Ray Bradbury. Recent favorites include Stardust by Neil Gaiman and The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. When I’m not writing, I’m hiking, gardening, reading, painting, or playing with my dog, Maya.