Writing with Purpose, for the joy of it
Following a career in global corporate communications, I'm now pursuing my life-long ambition to write literary fiction with a glint of higher truth and meaning.
My aim is to write compelling, thought-provoking novels with a wry sense of humor and some irreverence, while ultimately pointing to spiritual redemption. I write about ordinary, flawed human beings who struggle with life's complications and sometimes make a mess of things.
I'm pleased that my debut novel, Scraps of Grace, has achieved some level of praise from both secular critics and the churchified intelligentsia:
- 5 stars and Gold Book Award - Literary Titan, along with positive reviews from numerous book critics and successful authors. I'm particularly gratified when the quality of writing is called out, such as 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 rough-edged literary novel with a Catholic worldview. And perhaps to become a small part of the new, burgeoning Catholic literary renaissance.
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. But it's going to be novels for me from here on out.
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 for crisis management, reputation restoration or 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.