I've been an off-and-on Florida resident since 1998! I got my M.A. and PhD (both in English) at Florida State, and I taught at Beacon College in Leesburg following my graduate work. My wife and I returned to Florida in June of 2010 after several years in Maryland. I'm currently a member of the Liberal Arts faculty at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, although I still teach online courses in literature for University of Maryland-University College. I also tutor in the general literacy program for adults for the Hillsborough Literacy Council. I am very passionate about literature and the arts in general; I think increasing cultural literacy is one of the most important endeavors we can puruse for ourselves, our communities, and for civilization as a whole!