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 on My Books page. I'll be working through 2021 releasing and updating many more titles so please come back.
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!
Six Random Facts About Me
1. My dream as 12-13 year old was to own a Plymouth SuperBird, preferabbly blue with black trim. However, I didn't have the money as a 13-year old, let alone a license to drive, to get my dream car, short of a model car version. My dream of owning a Super Bird is still with me but now I don't have the $250,000 (or more) to buy one of any color.
2. I am a "part-owner" of the Green Bay Packers and as a result I'm a big Green Bay Packers fan.
3. I used to love snowstorms when I was a youngerster but as I got older and had to drive to work, I dreaded snowstorms. Now, however, I'm coming full circle and starting to love snowstorms again.
4. I've tried my best to like country music but haven't reached that point yet. I do, however, appreciate the talents and the abilities of the singers and musicians but I just don't like the music.
5. I don't like tailgaters. I'm not talking about the fans gathering before college and pro football games but drives who are so close behind me I cannot see their headlights in my mirror.
6. I'm a Star Trek fan, particularly TOS but I also like most of the TNG episodes. However, please don't ask me who was better ... Kirk or Picard.