I am from Florida, and did much of my undergraduate work there at University of South Florida before moving to do graduate school at The University of Southern Mississippi. There, I completed both a MA and PhD degree in Fiction. In my dissertation, I focused on authors using nature and memory, such as Rick Bass, Edna O'Brien, Alice Munro, and others. ​Some of my favorite contemporary poets include Joy Harjo, Ada Limón, and the late Mary Oliver.

 

Though my specialty is in creative writing, I have a love for literature theory. 19th century Victorian literature is my favorite, and to its works I've applied Gothic theory, Narrative theory, Feminist theory, Environmental theory, and others. In addition, I study Tolkien and the Inklings, and I've published critical articles in Star Trek scholarship. ​

 

One of my passions in teaching Composition is in getting students to analyze film for cultural significance, and to realize that there is a whole world of pop culture scholarship that is celebrated through venues like the Popular Culture Association and its conferences. For instance, some of the most fascinating and exciting presentations I've experienced at conferences have been those on Buffy or Black Panther or The Sandman, or the narrative worlds of Sherlock Holmes.

 

When I'm not lesson prepping or grading or working on my own projects, I'm usually relaxing with my two cats, binging The Next Generation reruns, or reading some DC graphic novel.

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