Essays & Articles
I am a writer, teacher, and librarian. The nerdy trifecta.
A regular contributor to Medium and Information Today, I have also written for Slate, the Washington Post, Literary Hub, Tor.com, the Missouri Review, the Gettysburg Review, Ploughshares, Creative Nonfiction, and other venues.
My first book, The Accidental Law Librarian, was released in 2013.
In addition, I have spent 20+ years working in government, academic, and private law libraries, as well as teaching academic and creative writing. I have an M.L.I.S. and an M.F.A.
More about me: I collect rare books; love football and basketball; live near Raleigh, NC with my wife, two sons, and a dubious cat; have another son in Iowa; and pretend to eat vegetables but really just move them around on my plate.
Essays & Articles
An appreciation for the creator of the Stainless Steel Rat, Bill the Galactic Hero, and other sci-fi marvels.
On the value of encountering difficult, sometimes explicit, material.
How the government is removing our right to read in private
What have I learned?
Are the books or TV series better? Doesn't matter. What matters is the endlessly fascinating character of Dexter Morgan.
Probably the only time a government got censorship right.
Library book bans are fueling national fights. But only one such case has ever ended up before the Supreme Court.
Recapping the Cold War-era FBI Library Awareness Program.
The Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges is often credited with saying that "Paradise is a library." He must not have meant a downtown public library, circa 8 p.m.
On transformation--his, mine, and ours.
We all think we know what decision we’d make. Then reality intervenes.
I am afraid of the one thing everyone wants from alcohol — to become someone else.
A look back at Peter De Vries, the funniest writer you've never heard of
How to maintain classroom standards without being a jerk
Interviews
The author of Killers of the Flower Moon discusses his method, his materials, and being an “opessimist.”
The author of Misquoting Jesus discusses his writing process, his faith journey, and why truth matters in the age of coronavirus.
The actress and author discusses creativity, the writing process, and why she hates bra shopping
The Harry Dresden creator discusses fan fiction, his origins and influences, and how he nearly came to blows with Patrick Nielsen Hayden.
The author of In the Heart of the Sea talks writing, Moby-Dick (he's read the novel a dozen times), and whether he plans to give up writing for acting.
The Hook and Avatar star discusses anime, poetry slams, and the joy of working with Robin Williams.
The veteran of anime and Power Rangers reflects on his career, fan fiction, and his band Eyeshine.
My talk with the bestselling author of Dead Wake, Isaac's Storm, and The Devil in the White City.
An interview with THE Chris Claremont. 'Nuff said!
The Hercules star riffs on writing, acting, his personal faith, and the strangest thing (or, rather, things) he's been asked to autograph.
The original Hulk actor discusses his career, his fans, and why a human Hulk can smash CGI.
Reviews
Night falls in an unnamed American city. Couples are out walking. Workers are driving home. A girl calmly rides her bicycle. And zombies are attacking.
I want to play a game. The game is to count how many classic horror films were mimicked in the making of the Australian thriller 6 Plots.
Books
The book I wish I'd had when I became a law librarian.
Teaching
I have taught this elective since 2022.
A webinar in which attendees learned to research court cases, understand legal terms, and make sense of civil or criminal procedures.