Congratulations on your win! Tell us about your experience and expertise, and how this relates to your entry. What target audience did you write for, and why?

I’m an IAABC-certified animal behavior consultant (dogs/cats) and the author of 35+ nonfiction pet care books. I created my thriller series that leverages this expertise and invites cross-over readers from my nonfiction titles by introducing an animal behaviorist/trainer (September) as the main character. In the first book, she’d trained a young German Shepherd service dog (Shadow) for her young autistic nephew. I had no idea how to write in an autistic child’s viewpoint so I wrote those sections in the dog’s perspective—not a “talking” dog but the way I imagined dogs might act, react, and experience their world through canine sensibilities.

I fell in love with the concept and so did my readers! In fact, many reviews still include comments like, “So THAT’S why my dog does XYZ.” The thrillers have become a new way to entertain/educate readers about dog (and cat) behavior and care, and these are often pet lovers—or even non pet people—who’d otherwise never pick up a nonfiction title. My books target an adult audience, but mature kids aged 12-13+ also enjoy the stories, as they don’t include strong language or spicy situations.

What prompted you to submit this specific entry? Why do you think it struck a special chord with the public and the judges—and with you?

I’ve entered several previous books from my series in the DWAA contest. The 5th book HIT AND RUN won a nomination, but none of the others have received any recognition. So, I suppose stubborn determination made me keep submitting and challenging myself to see my stories judged alongside the best-of-the-best DWAA novelists.  As with all writing, the more you do it, the better you become.

PLAY OR PAY, the 8th book in the series, shows a turning point in the main character’s and Shadow’s life. It takes place over 24 hours or so with pulse-pounding nonstop action, bad guys to thwart, and a happy ending that we all yearn for during these challenging times. I write stories where the dogs (and cats) never die, and good always wins to fight another day.

How big a part did dogs play in your personal and professional life? Was there a particular dog that sparked your interest in interacting with the public? Tell us about this dog[s] in your contest entry.

I grew up with dogs and have loved them forever. Maybe I was a dog (or a cat) in my former life, LOL! I worked as a vet tech for several years, which launched my nonfiction writing career publishing personal experience stories in the “pet press” like Dog Fancy and Dog World magazines.  (Yes, I’m that old!)  When the Internet took away nonfiction pet book opportunities (because readers could instead ask Dr. Google-Vet), I decided to write the fiction book I’d always wanted to read.

The dog character, based on my own then-current German Shepherd and others in the past, inspired the first story LOST AND FOUND. I thought the book was a stand-alone until readers in reviews kept asking about the main character’s past, what happened next, wanting MORE about Shadow, and “When’s the next book coming out?” (FWIW book #9 HIDE AND SEEK was released November 2025 and I’m now writing book #10).

What role have people played in your association with dogs? Family? Friends? Peers? Do you have any favorite writers or graphic artists? How have they influenced your career?

As I mentioned, I grew up with dogs. We had Shelties. Mom showed in obedience. I have many favorite writers—too many to name—but Carol Lea Benjamin showed me that an award-winning nonfiction dog book author could successfully cross over into fiction. On a more personal note, Mordecai Siegal was a great mentor and supporter of my early nonfiction career, and so was Dr. Jim Richards of the Cornell Feline Health Center.

When you consider both your personal and professional canine-related achievements, which one stands out the most? And why?

I’ve been blessed to receive wonderful recognition for my dog writing, but two stand out the most. They highlight lifetime achievement.  Who knew I’d do enough in the field to merit such honors!

I received both in the same year:

2023 DWAA Hall of Fame Inductee

2023 AVMA Steve Dale Media Award

What is the driving force that sparks your work?

Dogs! And (don’t hate me…) also cats! I was put on this earth to be a voice for the voiceless. With each book I try to highlight some aspects that help empower pet lovers to better care for their furry wonders.

What ongoing or future canine projects do you have planned? Are they personal or professional or both?

I plan to continue writing stories in the September & Shadow thriller series, currently plotting #10 with ideas knocking around for #11 and beyond. I’m exploring options for translating the series into German and other languages, as there’s an untapped market there. I also would like to update my nonfiction title COMPLETE CARE FOR YOUR AGING DOG, which won a DWAA Maxwell when it first released. That’s the beauty of independent publishing. I have the ability to update when needed.

On a personal note, I plan to spend more time with my own furry muses, gardening, making stained glass lamps, and maybe performing in a few more plays. In another life, I’m an actor.  I record my own audiobooks.

What would you recommend to those who wish to enter a Book category in next year’s contest?

Just do it! I entered fiction year after year with no success and this year just happened to go my way—other nominees have won in the past, and I was over the moon just to have my book named alongside them. Every year brings different judges/tastes for the entries. So, enter! It could be YOUR turn next year!

To conclude this interview, what thoughts would you like to add?

DWAA has been one of the foundational career touchstones in my life. The expertise of the members, generosity, and sharing offer boundless opportunities not just for friendship, but for mentorship and collaboration opportunities.