I've been writing, or scribbling, since my childhood days, into high school, and then college. Although I took as many creative writing classes as possible, I always knew, however, it would take more than years of dedicated work to become the next “overnight sensation” in the literary world. In other words, I understood that creative writing by itself wasn’t a career track that would help pay the bills. So I bounced around in a few post-college jobs until March 1985 when I started working for Abacus Software in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Abacus Software was a successful publisher of books ranging from computers (do you remember the Commodore 64?) to photography but perhaps gained its greatest success in publishing add-on software and books for Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Train Simulator.

After a stint in sales and customer service, I moved into the editorial department at Abacus where I rediscovered my passion of writing and editing — particularly editing and writing books, manuals, newsletters, blogs, magazine articles, and brochures. In addition to editing/writing books, I also wrote articles and reviews for Flight Simulator World magazine.

I remained at Abacus until the evolving home computer market finally caught up with us and the business closed on December 31, 2012. It was a mixed blessing because even though I knew I’d miss the office environment, it gave me the opportunity to strike out on my own and begin my own “publishing empire.” The first book was The Vodka Story. Since then, I’ve continued releasing other books that you can discover by selecting either Railroad Titles, Aviation Titles, or More Titles. I'll be working through the remainder of 2024 releasing and updating many more titles so return often.

When I'm not in front of my computers, I enjoy photography and "film noir" movies. I'm also an avid fan (and part owner) of the Green Bay Packers. Whenever I can, I'll also put away the computers and watch The Flintstones. YABBA DABBA DO!

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. They're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. Since its inception, the Lifeline has engaged in a variety of initiatives to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention for all, including innovative public messaging, best practices in mental health, and groundbreaking partnerships.

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Vibrant Emotional Health launched the Lifeline on January 1, 2005. Vibrant Emotional Health, the administrator of the grant, works with its partners, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), National Council for Behavioral Health, and others, to manage the project, along with Living Works, Inc., an internationally respected organization specializing in suicide intervention skills training.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been independently evaluated since its inception by an investigation team from Columbia University’s Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene. The Lifeline receives ongoing consultation and guidance from national and international researchers and experts focused on suicide prevention and crisis response.

Explore the impact of the Lifeline and its network of crisis centers. Get national call volume, find actions to take, and discover more through their By the Numbers page.