I have always been fascinated with storytelling as far back as I can remember. My father used to tell me stories in the fashion of the old radio serials he listened to as a child. I learned to read early on, thanks to the time my mother invested in me, and eventually became a voracious reader. As a result, many of the books and stories set for my age group bored me to tears and that’s when my life changed forever by a trip to the local drug store. That time was when I was first introduced to comic books, my first foray into speculative fiction. I greedily devoured them, as many as I could get my hands on. Not only was I intrigued by the stories I was spellbound by the artwork as well.

I tried to emulate what I saw in the comics and as far back as the second grade I began writing and drawing my own stories, based on the comics I read. Eventually, I began reading adventure classics such as King Arthur, Robin Hood, Treasure Island, Sherlock Holmes, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, etc…

As a student, I pursued all forms of writing throughout my academic career such as, poetry, essays, short stories and script writing. I am currently in the process of finishing up my Liberal Arts degree at IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), with a focus on Creative Writing. My goal is to begin substitute teaching while I continue writing.

Recently I was honored to have my debut novel, The God Killers picked up for publication with Seventh Star Press. It is scheduled for a summer release 2013. An official press release from the publisher will be forthcoming shortly!

To say that I am overjoyed and in a state of surreal shock would be a gross understatement. Right now I am totally humbled by the enormity of reaching this milestone in my writing career. I believe that this calls for a CELEBRATION!!!

Over the years, I’ve shown my work to friends and family who told me I had a talent for writing. I only half believed them however, it appears that there was some merit to their belief in me and my abilities and for that you have my eternal GRATITUDE.

I want to publicly and sincerely express my gratitude to GOD, my wife of 17 years, Melodee L Allen, my daughter Chelcee Shields, my son Jayden Allen and my mother Barbara Jones for your understanding and unconditional LOVE!!! Special thanks go out to RJ Sullivan and Maurice Broaddus for their friendship and mentoring which made my announcement earlier a reality. I would also like to thank Mr. Rodney Carlstrom, for introducing me to a GREAT group of writers and for being the best little brother a guy could have! And I also want to give a shout out to Indiana Horror Writers for their friendship and support, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

VERY, VERY SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TO: Stephen Zimmer and the WONDERFUL folks at SEVENTH STAR PRESS for believing in me, giving me a shot at following my dreams and welcoming me into the FAMILY! MUCH LOVE TO MY FELLOW SSP AUTHORS!!!

I want to thank each and every one of my friends and family who supported me in the pursuit of my dreams. I am truly blessed to have made it this far and I also want to encourage anyone who reads this to NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS! I’m the living TESTIMONY that it CAN and WILL happen if you work at it and believe in yourself. Someday, your CREATIONS will come to life also, DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’!***

GOD BLESS YOU ALL & REMEMBER TBIYTC (The Best Is Yet To Come)!!!

#writemindiztrulyblessed&highlyfavored&totallygeeked

AMEN!

***Admitted & Unabashed Journey Fan