When I was in the 5th grade, my teacher accused me of plagiarism and I was devastated. I did write the story. It was a mystery with a complex plot. I was quite close to my father, but he also thought I couldn't possibly have written the story. That hurt even more; however, my first thought was "Wow, I must be good!" The experience launched my literary ego. Three years later, I won the county history essay contest. It was my first taste of fame.

This rocky beginning foretold my curiously tangled writing future. All my short stories published in magazines and anthologies have been mysteries, and Simon and Schuster published my historical novel, Come Spring as mainstream fiction. My literary heroes are Wallace Stegner, Paul Wellman, and Paul Horgan, who were all novelists and superb historians and academics. I obtained a master's in history from Fort Hays State University in 2005 and worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. I am preparing my thesis for submission to a university press.

My mystery short stories, historical novels and non-fiction articles usually focus on Kansas, but occasionally my Southern heritage emerges in short stories such as "The Family Rose," which was first published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, then later included in two anthologies.

Thanks for stopping by. Click on the tabs if you would like to know more, or contact me at chinger@ruraltel.net