In 2024, I was accepted into a middle grade/young adult WRITING A NOVEL IN A YEAR cohort through the Story Studio in Chicago.  The ten of us aspiring novelists were lead during the year by the incredible YA novelist James Klise. 

Throughout the year, I worked on adapting my play Secret Kindness Agents into a novel for middle grades (4-8th grade). I’m really excited to continue to learn and grow as a writer as I explore this new medium.

This March, my husband got permission for the Third Grade Book Club at Anderson Grove Elementary in Papillion NE to read my second draft.  I had a great time meeting with these young readers, answering their questions, and learning about my book.

I’m currently revising the novel and brainstorming possible sequels!

My newest play SECRET KINDNESS AGENTS had its premiere at The Omaha Theater Company for Young People at the Rose in January.  Inspired by my amazing friend Dr. Ferial Pearson’s work, the play highlights four young people who join the SKA to make their school a kinder place.

Dr. Pearson started the first SKA group at her high school in response to the Sandy Hook tragedy.  She then wrote a book with those agents about their experience, created a TED talk about the project, spoke to numerous schools and community groups, and published a follow up EDUCATOR’s GUIDE to SKA.  The Secret Kindness Agents Project is in over 500 schools internationally, including in Canada, Spain, Qatar, Cameroon, Kenya, Fiji, Pakistan, Phillipines and Australia. . The project is in early elementary, upper elementary, middle school/junior high, high school, and university level classrooms in urban, suburban, and rural schools as well as homeschool co-ops.

Our production in Omaha sold out our school shows, reaching over 800 school kids.  A high school in Kansas then produced the play for their community this spring.

My original play had its premiere on the main-stage of The Rose Theater in Omaha NE.  The show had 12 public performances and two weeks of school shows.

Parents and teachers always say “popularity doesn’t matter,” but for 4th graders Cooper and Mia, it is very important. Cooper is just not like the sports-playing, superhero-loving boys in his class. Mia also finds it challenging to be friends with her female classmates. When a popular 7th grader named Blake offers to be their Popularity Coach (for a low, low price) Cooper and Mia sign up, hoping maybe they’ll finally figure out how to win friends. But will Blake’s slick lessons on “How To Be Popular” make matters better…or worse?

My play Sherlock Holmes and the First Baker Street Irregular was awarded a Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance for Theater and Education for adaptation.

The play has had over 20 productions at middle schools, children’s theaters, high schools and youth theaters in the last year.

https://www.dramaticpublishing.com/sherlock-holmes-first-baker-street-irregular