AS: Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us about your background? 

ME: "Hello! I am a native Austinite (I know, rare, but not really my doing) horse doctor, comedian and writer. Yes, when I walk into a bar, I am my own joke. I’ve been an equine veterinarian for 23 years, doing stand up for almost a decade and now a first time author! I also like to paint oil plein air landscapes, but let's not confuse the issue with that."



AS: Tell us about your book Chomping at the Bit! What was your initial inspiration for it?

ME: "I pitch Chomping at the Bit as All Creatures Great and Small meets Scrubs - it is about a guy (me) who wasn’t raised around horses becoming a horse doctor. A lot of the comedy in it comes from the “fish out of water” aspect, so it has a little Ted Lasso going on, as well. I am a veterinarian because of James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small and Mr. Herriot was also my inspiration to write. My entire adult life is all his fault. Well, Herriot’s and David Sedaris’ and Dave Barry’s. I love to read and laugh and was inspired to see if I could write something as funny and meaningful as my hero’s work."

AS: How do you think your experience writing for comedy influenced your writing style in Chomping at the Bit (if at all)?

ME: "Writing comedy is where I learned that I loved to write and where I shaped my tone and voice. I think delivering so many stories verbally helped me learn to craft punchlines and develop pacing in my essays. I will say this - when I started writing the book, it was a great relief to not need to have a laugh line every seven seconds, to be able to relax and tell a story for a stretch, compared to the pressure of stand up comedy."

AS: Do you have a favorite moment from your book—or from writing it—that you can share with us?

ME: "I, as a comic, love my digressions into silliness - my explanation of the Cutting Horse industry’s origins and description of God designing the equine laminae come to mind - that is the kind of thing that always has delighted me as a reader / comedy consumer. But what I am most proud of was my ability to take a very hard time in my life and share it in a positive light and with humor - I think it will be familiar and helpful to a lot of readers."

AS: What message or sentiment do you hope readers take away from your book?

ME: "I hope young people - veterinarians and non-vets alike - will be inspired that they, too, can overcome imposter syndrome. But I think readers of all ages will relate to, and be motivated by, the story of someone doing something that they were not “born to do.” My dream is that people will read my book and follow their own crazy dream! 

Oh, and I want people to laugh. Laugh so hard while reading my book on an airplane that their seatmate has to take off their Dr. Dre Beats and asks, “OK, what is so funny? What is that book about?"

AS: How can readers support local authors (and comedians) like you?

ME: "Readers can buy from local bookstores, they can use our books in book clubs (please! I will come and talk with you! Especially if you have beer) and, of course, come see live comedy. I am especially excited for my show at Lioness Books - we are combining all three into one fun night!"

Lioness Books supports local authors. Uplifting local authors is crucial to not only the growth and strength of the greater literary community, but free expression and democracy. Ordering from independent booksellers helps us move away from monopolies like Amazon and keeps our economy local. Visit our Bookshop site to order Chomping at the Bit!