Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm a writer and book reviewer from Los Angeles. Over the past 15 years, I've written and published hundreds of stories, poems, essays, book reviews, author interviews -- and one book called The Brubury Tales.

Describe your book ‘The Brubury Tales’ in 30 words or less.

One night at a Holiday Inn in downtown Los Angeles (just after the 1992 Riots), seven graveyard-shift rent-a-cops have a storytelling competition for bragging rights and Christmas vacation time.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Since the book (which is about 65,000 words) was written entirely in strict rhyming, metered poetry, the hardest part was ensuring that the writing was not only accessible and engaging, but extremely fun for today's readers.  

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, on which my book The Brubury Tales is based, and John Fante's Ask the Dust are books I read that not only influenced me, but made me want to be a writer.

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

Online I subscribe to BookBuzzr, I blog, and am a member of a lot of social media sites and message boards. Offline I do a lot of live readings and open mics. I also write book reviews and author interviews and try to help other writers reach their goals.

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

When I'm not writing or reading (or marketing my book), I enjoy watching movies, playing basketball, backgammon and just relaxing around the house.

What are you working on next?

My second book will be a collection of about twelve of only the best short stories I wrote that were published over the many years it took me to write The Brubury Tales.