I am a storyteller, always have been. I knew I wanted to be an author when I was 10-years-old and participated in a "Young Authors’ Day" workshop! I even wrote stories in my spiral-bound notebook and read them to my friends at recess. I love sharing my imagination and creativity with young readers!

Here are some fun facts about me:

• I am also a cartoonist (although I do not, currently, do the art for my books)
• I love playing board games and role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons. They have helped me become a better storyteller
• My wife (Jess Rinker) is also a published children’s book author and together we have SIX children! We’re like the modern Brady Bunch!
• I love dogs. We have an Australian shepherd named Pepper and acute little border collie mix named Odin. You can see lots of pictures of them on Instagram @Bluepepperpaws
• I was a platoon leader in the Army and jumped out of airplanes. I lived in South Korea for almost two years. I’ve even driven a tank!
• I once hiked an active volcano
• When I was growing up, I was really, really into skateboarding 
• I love cheese and do NOT love mayonnaise
• I am kind of (VERY) afraid of sharks
• I moved a LOT before high school (like almost 14 times)!
• I can fly small, fixed-wing aircraft
• I have my MA in Writing (Rowan University) AND my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (Vermont College of Fine Arts)
• I teach at Sierra Nevada University’s low-residency MFA program
• One of my favorite books is The Hobbit
• Sushi and Tacos are two of my favorite foods
• My favorite color is black
• My favorite number is 13