I was born in Massachusetts, grew up in Ohio, and received B.A. degrees in English and German from Duke University, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. After college, I lived in Bonn, Germany as a Fulbright Scholar, and during this time wrote the first draft of my first novel.

I've been a Writer in Residence for the Princeton Arts Council, a recipient of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant for Writers, and a featured speaker with (among others) Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, The Northern California Library Association, The International Reading Association, Fresno County Office of Education, California Reading Association, The American Library Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Now I live in Northern California, in a rambling old house, with my husband and kids. We have five children ranging in age from 28 to 17, plus assorted pets. When not at home with my family or working on a new book, I teach Creative Writing at Mills College, where I am an Associate Professor of English.