About the Author

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I am the author of Liberty Brought Us Here: The True Story of American Slaves Who Migrated to Liberia and coauthor and editor of Speed Family Heritage Recipes, a historical cookbook. My article "All My Heavy Afflictions: Black and White Women in the Colonization of Liberia" appeared in the Liberian Studies Association Journal (Vol. 45), and "From the Bluegrass State to Africa: Kentucky and the Colonization Movement" was published in the spring 2023 issue of Kentucky Humanities magazine. I was also a contributing writer for Portugal Living magazine.

I am a native of Washington state and lived for 20 years in Louisville, Kentucky. I previously worked in corporate communication and public relations before opening my own editing business. I  am now retired from everything but writing. In 2020, I moved to Coimbra, Portugal. 

I have frequently been invited to speak on a range of topics, including writing advice, self-editing, conducting research, and vetting and working with editors. I've spoken before diverse groups, including the World Affairs Councils of Louisville and San Diego, the Liberian Studies Association, and numerous university classes, writing workshops and conferences, book festivals, churches, and museums. Contact me to arrange a virtual event.