I received my Ph.D. in American Literature and literary criticism at Indiana University in 1981. My dissertation and first two books--Beyond the Red Pony and John Steinbeck: A Study of the Short Fiction--focus on the California author's shorter pieces. During the past decade, I have devoted my writing exclusively to fiction, producing three novels, the most recent inaugurating a mystery series set in contemporary Hawaii. My teaching interests follow my writing--fiction, usually American, both short and long. In the near future, I plan to teach courses in popular literature, including the "best seller" and mystery.

Areas of Interest
late 19th and 20th-century American literature, fiction

Education
BA, MA, California State University-Chico
PhD, University of Indiana