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Pay no attention to the little blond icon--I'm Native American with knee-length hair. My tribe? "Big@$$ Ind'n."

I'm a chaplain, but also a Traditionalist (and a bit of a potty-mouth, since I work with sailors).

Professionally, I've worked as a writer/editor, curriculum designer and instructor, desktop publisher, and floral designer. I'm also an illustrator, working in traditional media as well as 2D and 3D digital modeling/animation (I use LightWave, one of the programs used to create "Avatar"). As a composer (synthesizer keyboards), I once performed publicly, but have retired from the vexations of hauling around large and temperamental equipment.

I am a self-contained publisher, issuing books in e-book format, but also hardback copies when requested, which I print and bind myself; Pilothead Press (adult) and Sanderling Shores Books for Young Adventurers are my imprints. I'm not seeking publication by a big-name company (maybe for children's--I'd have to see); they'd have to do a hard sell to persuade me. I've been doing book design in one gawdawful medium or other since the late 60s, sometimes for pay/publication, sometimes not; of the books themselves, some of 'em probably suck, and some of 'em probably don't (not all of 'em were mine).

I use my knowledge (such as it is) to help young people when I can, especially in the areas of e-book publishing and illustration, encouraging them to avoid the often-ghastly trends in style and subject matter and bring some class to the so-called "quick-read" genre. Despite this, I very seldom leave reviews for things I've read, because I frankly find a lot of today's fiction to be appalling, and if I can't say something positive and help the author, I won't say anything at all. I don't have much use for the world of snark that's so popular today.

My opinion is that children's books should be a work of art, even if there's not a single picture in them. And children's book illustration is a sacred field, in the end as much for us grown-ups as for the young'uns. I don't restrict myself to one style when I illustrate, because for me the point of illustration is to do what's best for the story.

'Nuff said, and probably too much anyway.

Pay no attention to the little blond icon--I'm Native American with knee-length hair. My tribe? "Big@$$ Ind'n." I'm a chaplain, but also a Traditionalist (and a bit of a potty-mouth, since I work with sailors). Professionally, I've worked as a writer/editor, curriculum designer and instructor, desktop publisher, and floral designer. I'm also an illustrator, working in traditional media as well ... More