I am the author of three middle-grade novels (for ages 8-12), Mudville (2009), Mamba Point (2010) and The Tanglewood Terror (2011). All are published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. I am currently writing a fourth middle-grade novel entitled The Half Street Horror. I will also be introducing a chapter book series about the batboy for a minor league baseball team in 2012. More about those books under My Books.
I started writing when I was six years old. My first story was entitled “The Toad Who Told Lies,” which I’ve recreated here. I have been writing ever since.
I sold my first story, “Strophes of Lake Michigan,” in 2005 to Cicada magazine for teens; it’s about a high school student who tortures a demanding teacher by writing really bad poems on purpose. Cicada later published my second story for young adults, “Swingtown,” which is about a battle of the Steve Miller cover bands and a harmonica virtuoso named Dani. A couple of months later my first book, Mudville, was released.
I now live in Minneapolis with my wife, Angela; my son, Byron; and a bunch of cats. I enjoy reading (when I can), spending time with my family, playing Angry Birds, roller skating, watching baseball, watching very old comedies, and futzing around on the computer.
You can find out more about me in the Q&A section, and consider asking a question yourself. Here is how to contact me.