Frequently Asked Questions

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Who are you?

I am a retired lawyer living in Chicago. Until my retirement, I was a litigator with a couple of the big law firms in town. I also was an adjunct professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where I taught trial advocacy.

What kind of stories do you write?

My stories usually have a supernatural, paranormal or science fiction element.

What’s the difference between supernatural and paranormal?

There is no clear-cut distinction between the two. Generally speaking, supernatural refers to phenomena or creatures forever beyond scientific explanation, while paranormal refers to those that cannot be explained by current scientific thinking. 

What makes your stories different from others in the genre?

I try to ground my stories in reality. I realize that may sound like a contradiction in terms, but hear me out. 

Take vampires, for example. Most vampire stories are set in a world where vampires are as common as pigeons. Plus, they often have feelings for humans. I see this as fundamentally contrary to what it means to be a vampire.

If vampires are everywhere, human beings are likely extinct unless they are bred like cattle. Now that may make for an interesting fantasy story, but it isn’t logical to think that vampires are all around us in a world otherwise exactly like our own. 

Vampires also feed on humans—which makes us food, right? So, let me ask you, do you have feelings for a steak or a chopped salad? It strikes me as silly to think that any character in a story is going to fall in love with a crouton.

Because vampires kill humans, humans’ natural reaction will be to protect themselves and their loved ones by hunting vampires. And, humans can be very efficient when it comes to hunting animals to extinction. I very much doubt vampires could survive unless they took steps to hide themselves from humans such that even their existence is unknown.

This approach isn’t limited to vampire stories. I hope you’ve seen the GEICO commercial spoofing horror movies. Some luckless teenagers are chased by something or someone off camera. They confront a creepy old house. They debate hiding in the attic or basement until one of them points and asks, “Can’t we just get in the running car?” “Are you crazy?” another asks. “Let’s hide behind the chainsaws,” he says. “Smart,” they agree.

My characters are often confronted by danger, but they don’t behave like a bunch of brain-dead teenagers in a slasher movie. Their choices may be limited, that’s what makes for an interesting story, but they choose intelligently. In other words, they act just like you or I would under the circumstances. They don’t take stupid or unnecessary risks. 

How do I find your stories?

Go to the tab headed “Contact” on my homepage. At the end you will find what I’ve published so far with helpful links, and what I have in the pipeline.

To make sure you don’t miss out on anything, please send a message and ask to join my reader list.  You will then receive updates about new stories, etc.

Can I Buy Your Stories Here?

No. My goal is to get an agent who can help me get my novel published. Until then, my stories will be available only through magazines and podcasts.