about me:
I split my time between writing and teaching. Although you’ll sometimes find me in Los Angeles, I grew up on the razed earth of the Midwest.
I went to several schools before my first university: a rural oasis where I studied creative writing. One of my professors slipped me into a graduate class by novelist-in-residence Prajwal Sharma, who advised me to study film, which was my not-so-secret dream.
Five years after that encounter, I graduated with a double BFA in Filmmaking and Creative Writing at KCAI and some modest production experience. In the intervening years I have written several books, screenplays, workshops and stand-up routines, including Real Boy (2015), Delta Phi (2017) and Epidural (2022). and I now have my MFA in Screenwriting from the School of Cinematic Arts at USC.
I regularly teach filmmaking and screenwriting at the college level. I’m also a contributor for the Kansas City based newspaper, The Object (only available in print), and, most recently, published my second novel.
I’m also one of the world’s leading authorities on the niche topic of metafiction. I’ve been conducting long term research on the fourth wall and the metaphysical implications of being fictional.
Some know me as the writer who talks to fictional characters, and that is also true. In much of my work, I assist them in discovering the fourth wall (think Barbie or The Truman Show).
Credentials below.
photo by Hannah Novinger
/ EDUCATION
2022 / MFA, University of Southern California, CA_Screenwriting
2017 / BFA Double Major, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO_Filmmaking/Creative Writing
2011 / Credit Courses from University of Chicago & Truman State University: Creative Writing
/ PUBLICATIONS
2024 / The Fox and The Stag-Novel
Interview with the Unreal–Experimental fiction (The Object)
2022 / Apocalyptic Fantasy–Prose poem (Out of the Darkness, Into the Light: WWKC Anthology)
2020 / Forgetting 9/11--short fiction (Storymaker)
2018 / Paint-Novel
2014 / A Birthday Card.--Commercial Product
Dust to Dust--Short fiction (Kawsmouth)
2009 / Canon--Poetry (Elementia)
/ AWARDS
2024 / Screencraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenwriting Competition Quarterfinalist, “Chrysalis”
CS Unique Voices Semifinalist for screenplay “Epidural”
Finalist in WIFM & KC FilmFest International Short Screenplay Competition for “Vegas Girl”
Emerging Screenwriters Sci Fi & Fantasy Quarterfinalist for “Chrysalis”
2023 / Creative Screenwriting Quarterfinalist for “Chrysalis”
2022 / Slamdance Semifinalist for screenplay “Epidural”
2021 / ISF Alum
2019 / AMCLI Fellowship
2017 / Regional Emmy Nomination
2017 / Indie Gathering International Film Festival Award Winning Film/
Vancouver Filmdance Pre-selection
/ FILMOGRAPHY
2019 / Building America (PA, Phipper Films)
Burnt Ends (Talent, Rondevu Pictures)
2017 / Delta Phi (Writer/Director)
2016 / Real Boy, an Allegory (Writer/Director)
Beyond Belief (Intern/PA, PBS)
2015 / Boy Found In (Writer/Director)
Vigil (Producer/Director)
So What Are You About (Director)
2014 / Fearsome Pole (Writer/Director)
Perimeter (Writer/Director)
Dictum (Writer/Director)
2013 / Novelist (Writer/Director)
/ SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2023 / Searching the Psyche Through Cinema: Blade Runner (KCL)
2022 / Beatnik Cafe
2019 / Radio appearance about metafiction-(KKFI 90.1)
2018 / Five Steps to Writing Compelling Characters-(Johnson County Library Writer’s Conference)
Work/Write Balance panel-(Johnson County Library Writer’s Conference)
2017 / Five Steps to Writing Compelling Characters-(Kansas City Art Institute, Avila University)
Making Metafiction-(H&R Block Artspace)