I own a lot of backpacks. It’s a bit embarrassing, really. My giant pack for overnight backpacking trips, the snow hiking pack, the work backpack, the seven slightly different day packs. I care deeply about pocket depth, zipper placement, water resistance and weight. I should be a backpack reviewer, but I’m not. I’ve been too busy writing about everything else.

Over my career, I’ve worked as a news reporter, magazine features writer, television producer, university journalism professor, corporate content marketer, ad copywriter, CEO ghostwriter and script supervisor for commercials. I’ve covered everything from travel to technology, human interest and true crime. I’ve scaled mountains with nomads, eaten slaughtered goat with Bedouins, got a pedicure on a glacier, and unknowingly shared a bed with a beetle the size of a baby. I’ve interviewed hundreds of people on everything from home décor and salmon spawning to the ethics of artificial intelligence and racism in the justice system.

I am the author of more than a dozen Lonely Planet guidebooks and articles for publications like Forbes, National Geographic Traveler and Atlanta magazine.

My Atlanta magazine feature article, Social Disgraces, which was the basis for my book, A Devil Went Down to Georgia (Pegasus Books), was anthologized in Harper Perennial’s Best American Crime Writing.

Today, I split my time working as an editorial consultant for the world’s biggest brands, researching and writing fiction and nonfiction, and cheering at top volume during the varied activities of my twin sons.

One day, I’ll get to reviewing the backpacks.

Literary Agent: Rick Richter Aevitas Creative Management

Press inquiries: Julia Romero Pegasus Books