NYC freelance writer and graphic designer for hire. Welcome to my site. I'm glad you're here.
I am a native New Yorker, born on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. I love dogs. In the photo, I'm holding my perfect Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Busta Rhymes Olds. Originally, I named him Buster Brown. However, because I'm a New Yorker, I tend to drop my “R”s.
Speaking of Rs, there are two in my name.
Creative Nonfiction
My creative nonfiction essays appear in The New York Times, Marie Claire, Woman’s Day, Ravishly, Ducts, Brain Child, The Temper, and more.
Books
My autobiographical short stories and artworks are published in eight book anthologies. I am also included in a ninth book: CUNY (City of New York) textbook for their Victimology course at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. My New York Times essay, “Defriending my Rapist,” was published in print and online and immediately went viral. That's when my personal essay was added to the required reading lists. I was featured all over the web and in print. I became a sought after speaker for top universities, professional conferences. And I am a proud member of RAINN's Speaker Bureau.
Essentials of Victimology
At Grandmother's Table
Power of the Positive
Easy As A, B, C
Creative People: What Makes Them Tick
The Ultimate Christmas Oy, Come All Ye Faithful
Chocolate Lover's Soul - Skinny Dotty and Her Chocolates
Tea Lover's Soul - Compassion and a Cannoli
Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul
Journalism
My journalism is published in TIME Magazine, WIRED, Tablet, Forward, Honeysuckle, Centennial Animals, PetMD, Yahoo!, and many more. I’ve written service pieces, book reviews, movie reviews, listicles, interviews, author profiles, op-eds, and cultural takes for too many outlets to list.
My favorite topics include addiction and recovery, mental health, health and wellness, pop culture, author profiles, book and movie reviews. Most years, I cover film festivals and interview A-list celebrities, writers, directors, and newcomers in all areas of movie making.
I’ve been quoted in many outlets including The New York Times Huffington Post, Yahoo!, CBS, Melissa Blake, and Dr. Drew.
Thank you for checking out my website. At the moment, I'm getting back to my deadlines but I look forward to hearing from you. Contact me with any questions or comments you may have. I'd love to hear about you, your business, and how we can work together.
Media
I’ve been interviewed by CNN’s Dr. Drew, and Jericka Duncan on CBS. My guest appearances also include ABC’s “7 on Your Side” and NY1. I’m a frequent speaker on podcasts, radio and live events.
As a lifelong movie nut, and having spent many years interviewing A-list celebs, screenwriters, directors, and and having screened 150 movies per year (pre-pandemic), it is a thrill to have my own Internet Movie Database (IMDb) page. Filmmaker Nishanth Gopinathan contacted me with an invitation be in his documentary about New York City.
Illustration
Gopinathan also requested permission to include my drawings, paintings, and photographs. And it is an honor to be included in the same film as the famous illustrator Milton Glaser. I had first met him while attending Parsons School of Design. You will recognize his works of art if you visit miltonglaser.com.
New York City galleries sold 51 of my paintings in group shows and several solo exhibits. At the time, I was working for a litigations graphics company, i.e., graphics for courtrooms. I worked as a production artist, to a designer, to art director. We created huge charts for high profile cases including the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Central Park jogger, the John Gotti windows trial, and more.
From there, I started my home business. It was an instant success and continues to thrive. I love my work which includes writing, graphic design, and painting commissions. I am lucky to have so many long-term clients and always happy to take on gigs with new clients.
Whatever you need with words and images, I’d love to be your Go-To.