I grew up as the oldest of eight, a dreamer among the stars, and my journey as an author began my childhood adversity. Growing up in a single-parent household, I shouldered responsibilities, working through high school to support my mother after the loss of my grandfather.Amidst the challenges growing up (without details, my father who was in and out of our lives, was not a role model by any stretch of the imagination), I found solace in the vast expanse of space opera universes. Action figures became more than toys; they were the building blocks of entire worlds, offering escape and igniting a passion for storytelling that would smolder for decades. These early creative sparks, born from necessity and nurtured by imagination, laid the foundation for the richly detailed universe readers now explore in my debut novel.The name "Shallon," carried by the protagonist in my space opera, is a testament to the enduring power of those childhood dreams—a bridge between the boy who once played among the stars and the man I am today, writing them into existence.Life's path led me to become an educator, a role that deepened my understanding of human nature and the power of stories to inspire and heal. But it was in college that I discovered a different kind of story—a love story of my own. For 22 years, my wife has been the co-author of my life, helping me understand love in ways I never thought possible.Today, I find my universe complete with two amazing sons who remind me daily of life's wonder and potential. Though much has changed since those early days of creating worlds with action figures, the core of who I am—a storyteller, a dreamer, a survivor—remains unaltered.In my debut novel, I invite you to journey with me through the stars, to worlds both familiar and fantastical. But more than that, I offer a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of imagination to light the way through our darkest times.Join me as I share the story I've been crafting my entire life—a tale that begins in the heart of a child and reaches for the farthest stars. This is more than just a novel; it's the culmination of a lifetime of dreams, struggles, and triumphs. Through it, I hope to connect with you, dear reader, and perhaps together we can find solace, inspiration, and wonder in the vast universe of stories.Read more about this authorRead less about this author