poet, Author of Award Winning Originals

I have lived an unconventional life. Born in Charlotte, NC in1986 to two public school teachers, my parents exposed my sister and I to a variety of experiences instilling in us a love for nature exploring the woods and creeks near our home, domestic and international travel and supporting us in our athletic endeavors, they even built a regulation size youth baseball/softball field on our property. That field is where I further honed my baseball skills and gave my team at the time a place to practice. Home was a family farm in York, SC where I attended the York public school system.  Active  in both academics and athletics, I was the quintessential “All American”  high school student earning many academic accolades as well as nine varsity letters in three sports.  Late in my senior year at York Comprehensive High School during the midst of my greatest season pitching for the YCHS Cougar baseball team, life threw me a curve ball forever changing my plans. I did graduate with a number of academic honors, was voted the MVP in baseball and named to the all-region team.  In 2007 I became a semi-finalist for the PEN Emerging Voices Fellowship. In the winter of 2017,  I spent several months in Iowa City on a pilgrimage to the Iowa Writer's Workshop where I couch surfed with Iowa poetry professor and Fulbright winner, Jake Montgomery and my best friend from York, Robert McFarland. The time spent in Iowa was akin to an awakening as that experience instilled in me the drive to pursue writing full-time which ironically was never in "the plan."  Why and how my life was changed is contained in some of my writings.

Steve Leake Sr. for help with the website

Mom , Lesley and the Leake and Walker Families

Allison Black for endless inspiration

Clint Alexander for his mentorship and critiques

everyone in York, SC that has followed and supported me over the years

I appreciate it!