I was born in February of 1969 in Ohio where I have spent most of my life.  I spent 10 years of my childhood in various cities in Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City.  I have been married for 17 years and have two teenage children and two grown stepsons, a step grandchild and another on the way.

I have been writing since childhood and have been published over the years in a few zines, on-line and in print. This past year I've self published two books of poetry and am currently working on a third if I can squeeze it in. Recently I've had work pubished in the latest issue of Cold Coffee Magazine, www.coldcoffee.ning.com (I'm also a member of this community) and in the CP Journal, summer issue 09, www.covertpoetics.com

Aside from getting my own work published and noticed, I've always wanted to have my own publication, to be part of a market that often snubbed me back in the day, so I could offer a place for other writers like myself a place to be published without the restrictions and rigidness of some other publications. I wanted mine to be more real, more relatable to its readers and contributors, a place to relax, breathe, be comfortable and know that it's okay to be "human”.

I have a high school education, regrettably I did not go to college but have a great love of literature, poetry and reading. I also enjoy learning and researching the craft. English was one of my best and favorite classes in school. At some point I’d like to further my education but for now I am just taking things as they come and see they lead.

In 2008 after losing my job I decided to put my dream in motion and started The Stray Branch. It's a learning journey as I go forward with this project. As the zine grows so do I grow, as a person and as a writer. It's been great working the talent that has come my way and I've enjoyed working with other writers, to be able to help them by giving me them a place to display their work for others to see.