My blog

On a flight home from Orlando to Newark International, I got the exit row seat. I signed up for it because I like the leg room. I had forgotten that the flight attendants have those little jump [...]

I came home from a four-day business trip to find the best Amazon box I’ve ever gotten… one that was full of copies of THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY.  Facebook followers and friends are [...]

I came home from a four-day business trip and here’s what was waiting for me: 1.  An Amazon box full of the five copies of my book I ordered just because. 2.  A certificate and pin from the [...]

When I was nineteen, I had a car accident at an intersection. The back of my car got hit. It wasn’t a big accident – I wasn’t going very fast and neither was the other guy. [...]

I was sitting at my computer yesterday, answering interview questions (which I’m pretty sure is the only thing I do with my “free” time these days), when I took a break to check [...]

…and today it visited New Jersey. I emerged from my cave and dragged my reluctant 12-year-old son to a nearby park where the snowpack was melting a la Everest, causing the paths to be [...]

Not a reader?  Not a problem! No reason to skip the joys (and sorrows) of  THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY.  It’s finally official that TSSoE will be an audio book through Audible, the world [...]

Today I can finally confirm that one of the reasons for my upcoming trip to Los Angeles is to meet my film and television rights agent from the marvelous Gotham Group!  Shimmy on over to my brand [...]

I love this review of THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY from Beverly Hills Mom.  My favorite quote: “MT’s voice is real and will resonate with adults and young readers alike.” Click here to [...]

Everything I love today: I love my electricity. I love that my wind chimes are singing in the crisp air outside my door, giving this glorious winter morning a soundtrack. I love that when I look [...]

Greetings from New Jersey, land of snowflake kisses and thundersnow dreams.  What’s thundersnow, you may wonder? Glad you asked.  Because it’s been going on for an hour here, long [...]

I glanced at my email  inbox and it struck me that it’s a perfect little snapshot of what my life is today.  Here are the top six subject lines, part wish-fulfillment, part writing.   [...]

Bookish, the book recommendation engine launched by Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group (USA) and Simon & Schuster (none of whom are my publisher) today listed THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY in [...]

Perhaps I’m just feeling extra cantankerous this morning, but I have a few things that are bugging me more than usual.  In no particular order, here they are, the Three Things I Could Live [...]

A month from today, my biggest life goal will be realized: I will be the author of a book in stores and libraries and in the hands of readers.  The journey has been magical and improbable.  And [...]

The other day I went to visit my website and the browser just sat there, spinning its wheels, taking forever to load the site.  I ran a quick site speed test, which let me know that a bunch of [...]

Writing is a predominantly solitary activity.  You sit in front of your screen, spinning words and thoughts, and wonder if they touch anyone but you.  The publishing world is not great for [...]

If you’re not a paper-carrying type, you’re in luck!  The Secret Side of Empty is now available for pre-order on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Pre-order today and your copy will [...]

Facebook is like a boyfriend who is thoughtless and self-centered a lot of the time (my specialty) but then every once in a while does something so charming you just can’t leave him.  Today [...]

This morning I read a fascinating article about a certain thing that people did after the Super Bowl and I thought, “I have to write a piece about that!”  It was so devilish and [...]

Yesterday, my New Jersey town (and surrounding areas) got blanketed by a gorgeous, sparkling snowfall.  I watched it happily all day from the comfort of my living room.  I cleared the steps a bit [...]

“Take Amazon Author Rank with a grain of salt,” says every publishing industry expert ever to every newbie author ever.  The last  time I heard  this was last week when I was [...]

Guess what I just found out! “Pre-release” book sales are counted toward the first week of sales. So if you were thinking of buying THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY (sorry, there’s no [...]

There are few places on earth (besides my home town in New Jersey) that I love better than Alexandria, Virginia.  Cultured, lively and beautiful, Alexandria offers something for everyone. [...]

I’m excited to be participating on the Teen Author Reading Series panel at the Los Angeles Public Library. Details: Saturday, March 15th, 2014 Time: 3:00 p.m. Playa Vista Library 6400 Playa [...]