Born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, I love all things New England: Friendly’s ice cream, Cape Cod, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the North Shore Music Theatre, clam chowdah, glorious fall leaves, Dunkin’ Donuts, snow days, the Red Sox. I am Greek-American, and my parents instilled in me a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to family, both of which sustain me through the turbulence and triumphs of creative work.

I earned a B.A. in literature from Yale University and an M.A. in education leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. In my late twenties, I applied to the M.F.A. program in writing for children at Simmons University with a single short story—the first bit of fiction I’d written in a decade—and by some miracle they let me in. That short story would eventually become a chapter of my first novel, Material Girls. Simmons taught me to strive for excellence in every story I craft for young people and to take joy in the process.

I have been teaching in one form or another for over twenty years. Most recently, I have taught children’s literature and writing courses at Simmons, Boston University, and Grub Street. Grateful for my own mentors, I love supporting my students as they courageously walk the steps of their writing journeys.

I was honored to serve as the Associates of the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence and to have been named a St. Botolph Club Emerging Artist. I have blogged about children’s books for the parenting site Mommybites.com, and my writing has appeared in Of Looms and Lilies and Her Sylvan Ascent, modern dance compositions by choreographer Jody Weber.

I currently live outside Boston with my family. I spend my free time singing karaoke, traveling, cooking Greek food, volunteering at my local Audubon Center, and reading my favorite books from childhood aloud to my own children.