Born and raised in Alaska, I now live and write in a yurt on a dome near Fairbanks. Before writing fiction, I spent many years working as a journalist for Alaska public radio stations all around the state. I also spent time commercial fishing with my family in Southeast Alaska.

In addition to young adult literature, I have written news stories, short stories, essays and poetry. My work has appeared in The Anchorage Daily News, High Country News, The Los Angeles Review, Sonoma Review, National Public Radio and elsewhere—as well as a notable mention in The Best American Essays of 2015.