In a world where bodies can be traded, one man’s first transfer forces him to question what it means to be human—and what he’s willing to lose.

What does it mean to be a kid at heart? People often say, “you’re such a kid at heart,” as if it’s something lighthearted or naïve. But I’ve come to believe it’s something much rarer, and much harder to hold onto. For me, being a kid at heart has nothing to do with immaturity—it’s about keeping the capacity to wonder, even after the world has tried its best to take it from you.

Forgive me for retreating to a more academic mood. On Friday, I was watching the Ed Gein story, and as I did, these thoughts formed. Alfred Hitchcock didn’t invent horror; he revealed it. Beneath the shadows, the blood, and the sudden screams, he exposed something far older—the mimetic violence that René Girard wrote of, that deep instinct to imitate both desire and destruction.

It’s been a stretch of long days and quieter nights here along the coast. The fishing has slowed a bit with the change in weather, but the rhythm of the work remains steady—checking parlors, mending pots, watching the sea shift moods faster than a man can name them. There’s peace in the routine, even when the wind cuts sharp and the hours run long.

What’s something most people don’t know about you? For most of my life, I mistook silence for loneliness. Growing up in the noise of south Louisiana and then in Appalachia and later in the hum of academic halls, I filled every pause with words—lectures, stories, advice, anything to keep the quiet at bay. Silence was a void, a mirror I didn’t want to face.

What is a neighbor?

After reconnecting with an old crush, intense feelings of love and vulnerability emerge. Their bond deepens, leading to emotional and physical intimacy amidst complicated circumstances.

What principles define how you live? If I had to name the principles by which I live, they wouldn’t be chiseled into marble or gilded in certainty—they’d be written in sand, rewritten by every tide that’s touched my life. I’ve come to believe, as Seamus Heaney once wrote, that “hope and history rhyme” only when we let compassion guide the pen.

I reflect on the transformative nature of love, embracing vulnerability, and the beauty of connection. If only I weren't afraid to fail at falling in love.

The author reflects on personal trauma from a strict upbringing and toxic relationships, seeking closure and understanding, while facing profound struggles in life and work.

Rejection is a vital part of a writer's journey, urging refinement and patience, while ultimately leading to a meaningful connection with the right agent.

The author reflects on how their works, starting with My Dearest M, explore themes of loss, love, and identity, creating a shared existence.

Imagining characters from The Red Thirst novel I am currently working on

I share a glimpse into my life, balancing fishing and writing, detailing daily routines, manuscript work, and the struggles of self-doubt in creativity.

The journey through Ireland reflects deep personal connections, bittersweet memories, and the contrasting beauty of places, marked by emotional highs and lows.

What details of your life could you pay more attention to? The honest answer is today. Not some distant past, not a moment buried years ago, but this one—the air I’m breathing, the sky above me, the sound of the sea or the chatter of voices nearby. Too often, I let today slip through my fingers, distracted by memories of yesterday or the burdens of tomorrow.

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled? For most of my adult life, I worked with words, thoughts, and people. I sat in an office chair, listening, guiding, and carrying others through their storms. It was good work, meaningful work, and I loved the crisis teams I was part of. But it was also abstract—an endless cycle of mental strain, with little to ground me in the physical world.

The author values resilience, emphasizing transformation through loss and empathy, using storytelling as a means to connect and share human experiences.

The author reflects on their heritage from Louisiana and Appalachia, emphasizing the significance of food, storytelling, and community in shaping identity and inspiring their writing.