Cartoon Robot Lady holds a Chess Queen in one hand

Celeste and Bobby Fisher

When I wrote my first “novel” in elementary school, I created this character, Celeste. She was a snarky robot from the future with little regard for human life. She was the one facet of that work that survived its re-writing in middle school and again in high school. I loved Read more

Cartoon Robot Lady holds a Chess Queen in one hand

Sandra and Andrei

My very first novel, crafted in a yellow folder that held loose-leaf paper on those little metal tabs, was an attempt at autobiography. (There is a certain type of person who feels a need to write their autobiography at eleven, and I was one of them.) Being possessed of a Read more

Sketch in black pen on rough blue paper of three punk women in action poses

A Novel’s Journey

I just signed my first ever novel contract, and many people are asking me how I went from manuscript to actual advance money! The bad news is we have to go waaaay back on this one: High School. I was sending my first novel to publishers, “A” (It would be Read more

Loving the Falls by Marie Vibbert in Cast of Wonders 463

Loving the Falls

February 9th, 2005, I sent a draft of a story called “The Falls” to my friend and writing workshop-mate Pat Stansberry. Hey Pat… For what it’s worth I did some editing on the Dead story I wrote.  I don’t know if you were still planning on doing anything with the Dead stuff, but I wanted you Read more

people seated around a table with papers in front of them

Subscription Life

It was 2002 or thereabouts. I had just heard news that the wild area across Cedar Road from my friend Becky’s house was going to be developed into a “Town square outdoor shopping area” similar to Shaker Square, but, you know, FAKE. I was kinda pissed. My friend Becky was Read more