Let me introduce myself. I’m a full-time trade compliance professional who moonlights as a writer. I live in Vermont with my husband and our cats, and we’re currently in the process of adopting a teenage girl. Oh—and I just published my first book. Yay!

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a vivid imagination. When I wasn’t reading a book, I was creating dramatic plays with my stuffed animals and Barbies. I also spent a lot of time in my head, inventing characters and entire universes that helped me escape everyday struggles. I loved music too and often made up my own songs when I wasn’t listening to the radio. (Yes, I’m that old!) Back then, I never imagined I would become a writer—I was simply having fun.

My early years were quite tumultuous. I grew up in a country experiencing a long civil war, and during my teenage years, I moved from country to country. Eventually, at about seventeen, I attended college in Ohio in the United States. It was there that I met my husband and began writing down all the stories that had been living in my imagination. Around that same time, I started practicing meditation and yoga as part of my personal wellness routine, something that eventually became an essential part of my life both as an individual and as a writer.

After graduating from college, I spent a great deal of time researching how to write and self-edit books. I also learned how to use large spreadsheets to organize my characters, timelines, and story details. I’d be completely lost without my Excel sheets!

Soon after, I joined a critique circle where writers shared chapters of their work for feedback. In return, I critiqued the work of others. During this time, I gained valuable insights, especially about being open to different perspectives and learning how to manage criticism. Critique circles are fantastic for building resilience and learning how to give and receive constructive feedback.

Needless to say, I spent countless hours critiquing, which eventually led to burnout. Working six hours just to receive feedback on a single chapter of my book became exhausting and unsustainable. Still, I wouldn’t trade that time or experience for anything—it taught me a great deal about the craft of writing.

During that period, I also tried the traditional publishing route, submitting synopses and chapters to large, established publishers. Unfortunately, most of the responses I received were rejection emails. However, I did become a finalist in a Romantic Times contest with a romance novel—but that’s a story for another day.

Around the time I stepped back from writing, my professional career began to take off. I decided to focus on trade compliance for a while, earning certifications and a professional license—those typical (and admittedly boring) things businesses require. But it benefited my small family in many ways. We eventually moved across the country to Vermont, purchased a beautiful 1905 Victorian home in a semi-rural town, and I landed a fully remote job that allowed for a healthier work–life balance.

About a year ago, I decided it was time to try again.

I pulled out my old manuscripts, breathed new life into my characters, and began crafting new stories. This time, I focused on including all the things I love: science fiction, fantasy, romance, meditation, crystals—and aliens. Yes, I’m a little eccentric that way, especially after witnessing what is now called an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP)—formerly known as the much easier to say and spell UFO.

Now, I’m not saying I saw little green men. But I did see something I couldn’t identify. It moved in a zigzag pattern and then suddenly shot off into the distance faster than any drone could manage. Given that my job keeps me up to date on modern technology, I know what current tech is capable of—and this definitely wasn’t it.

What stayed with me most was that whatever it was, it seemed to be simply observing. It didn’t interact with anyone or cause any disturbance. Interestingly, that’s how many reported sightings are described.

So, being the optimist that I am, I decided that my alien characters would mostly be kind.

Will there be some mischievous—or even naughty—aliens in future books? Perhaps. After all, just like humans, not everyone behaves the same way. But for now, I like to imagine that humanity has come a long way, and that aliens might be here simply to observe and gently help us learn more about the universe.

At least, that’s what the characters in the SEARI universe believe—where aliens are definitely real.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed my book. My main goal was to entertain you and make you laugh. Even if you think the book is… well… (insert your own description here), if it made you laugh, chuckle, or even cringe a little, then I’ve done my job.

As one of my characters always says…

Namaste!