About

Photo by Saige Roberts

How it all started

My earliest and fondest memories are escaping reality by living in books, and I have always aspired to create worlds worthy of an epic journey for my readers.

My story

I grew up in a small town in Arkansas, roaming through rural fields and trudging through forests, living out Tolkien-like adventures with my closest friends. In college, I studied theatre, playing a multitude of roles, but won an Irene Ryan nomination for my role in MacBeth as the lead. As I finished this first degree, I became engrossed with physics and mathematics, then placed my writings and thespian endeavors on hold while I learned the language behind the workings of our universe.

While earning a B.S. in applied mathematics at University of Central Arkansas, I received a SURF grant for mathematical research and for the first time was paid for my skills as a mathematician and researcher. To continue studying symmetry analysis of partial differential equations, I remained at UCA for a master’s degree, earning awards for teaching undergraduates and for my exemplary scholastic record.

After this, I received a fellowship to pursue my doctoral degree at Florida State University, where I studied biomedical mathematics, learning how to model the interstitial workings of the biological processes of the human body. While earning my PhD at Florida State University, I wrote my first fantasy novel, which sold over 2,000 copies in the first month and tens of thousands of copies since.

Graduating from FSU was bitter-sweet. It was satisfying to solve pieces of some of the world’s oldest mathematical problems and to earn my doctorate, but it was also the climax of my career as a mathematician and teacher.

Although I continue to write novels and engage in journalism, I have moved back into the classroom full-time, teaching college-level mathematics. Engaging with inquisitive minds has always been a passion of mine and I get to do so now on the collegiate level.

A note to my fans: As long as I breathe, I promise to create and lose myself in the worlds of my imagination, crafting stories and helping others develop theirs. More books are coming soon, in Elwin’s world and others. Thank you for your patience!