'Prison of Now' wins Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, Spring 2026
Explore SCRAPS of GRACE
Explore PRISON of NOW
My debut novel and its sequel have been praised by both secular critics and the churchified intelligentsia:
Scraps of Grace:
- 5 stars and Gold Book Award - Literary Titan. And this from Blue Ink Review: “Line by line, the book is lovely, with strong, assured prose occasionally rising to poetry.”
- Honorable Mention, 2025 Catholic Novel of the Year - Catholic Media Association. Yes, it is totally possible to write a contemporary literary novel with a timeless perspective that comes from faith. And perhaps to become a small part of the new, burgeoning Catholic literary renaissance.
Prison of Now:
- Spring 2026 Pencraft Award for Best Fiction Book, General Fiction. And this from The Prairies Book Review: "A disciplined, observant novel
that leaves the reader with an unease that lingers."
- Honorable Mention, 2026 Catholic Novel of the Year - Catholic Media Association. Another year, another Honorable Mention in the most prestigious literary competition for books expressing a Catholic worldview.
My aim is to write compelling, thought-provoking novels with a wry sense of humor and some irreverence, ultimately pointing to spiritual redemption without any preachiness. I write about ordinary, flawed human beings who struggle with life's complications and sometimes make a mess of things.
Earlier, I wrote a business book conveying crisis communication principles within the first-person narrative of a real-life, mega corporate crisis -- Feeding Frenzy: Inside the Ford-Firestone Crisis.
Professional Background:
- Bachelor of Journalism -- University of Missouri
- Master of Arts - Liberal Studies (Creative Writing) -- University of Detroit-Mercy
For those in need of a proven communications consultant or non-executive board member specializing in crisis management, reputation restoration and brand-building, here is my corporate bio brief:
Ford Motor Company: Learned the art and science of media relations and strategic communications in increasingly responsible management roles over more than 20 years with the global automaker:
- Senior assignments included leading large teams responsible for complex global corporate issues affecting the company's reputation; new vehicle media introductions and other product communications in direct support of Marketing and Sales; as well as corporate social / sustainability initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
Navistar International: As VP-Communications at the global commercial truck and engine manufacturer:
- Led effort to regain trust following a financial-reporting crisis and delisting from NYSE. Regained confidence of employees and external stakeholders with proactive, forward-looking messages stressing growth and diversification.
- Recreated robust internal communications that had gone “dark” during financial uncertainty.
Heidrick & Struggles: As VP-Communications at the global executive search and leadership advisory firm:
- Drove enhanced brand consideration globally through earned media placements.
- Led transformation communications, including re-imagined internal engagement, roll-out of the CEO’s “Heidrick Rising” strategy to employees in 51 offices in 30 countries.
- Led firm’s annual communications presence at World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.