After a childhood spent reading about all sorts of heroes, I was accepted into the United States Military Academy, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Thermodynamics. Along with the degree, I left the Academy with a pair of cross cannons on my collar.

Upon completing Field Artillery BOLC, I drove from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Fort Bliss, Texas, where I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan with the 1st Armored Division. I separated from the Army due to injuries and—after expecting to make it a career—found myself a bit adrift.

While attending Case Western Reserve University to earn my Master’s in Accounting, I overheard two gentlemen discussing how they had been working on writing their own book for several years and had only managed ten pages. As a prolific reader, the question crossed my mind: I wonder if I could do that. From that spark, Stowaway was born.

Even though I had no idea what I was doing with regard to the industry (spellcheck is not an editor), I thoroughly enjoyed crafting that narrative. Weaving military experience, dark humor, and fantastical situations together to create a hero’s story was so rewarding that I immediately started on the second book. I’ve learned a great deal about the craft, about myself, and about telling tales that people genuinely enjoy reading—and I’d like to think it shows in the work.

I had no intentions of publishing anything. I was an engineer and an accountant, not a writer. But people who had read the manuscript I’d given my father insisted I share it. Wanting to remain my own boss, I chose to publish through Kindle Direct Publishing, and the rest is history.

Now, nine books later, I still love the craft, but I get to balance it with being a dad. Writing sessions are no longer long, uninterrupted stretches; they’re hours and minutes stolen during nap time and after everyone has gone to sleep. When I’m not crafting the next sci-fi blockbuster, I spend time in the gym or outdoors.