For years I have carried around a small red notebook wherever I go. I call it my "Idea Book", a convenient space to jot down any passing inspiration for novels, documentaries, lesson plans or--yes--even themed ice cream shops. 

This site serves as a digital platform for some of the pursued ideas, the ones that I dedicated time and heart to crafting and then chose to share. No matter the form these ideas take, capturing the beauty and complexity of being human is at the core of my work.

My meandering path began in the woods behind my New Hampshire home, later took me to Ithaca, New York to study journalism and then to Nome, Alaska to work as a radio documentarian for a year. My film & radio documentary work has been recognized by The Television Academy, the Alaska Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists, but I’m still most proud of a second place writing trophy I won in 4th grade.

My deep and long-term love of writing led me to pursue it seriously over the past few years. I am currently working on two middle grade novels and am represented by Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency. I was also a semi-finalist on America’s Next Great Author, a reality TV show pilot filmed in October 2022.

I now live in Portland, Maine teaching high school Social Studies at Portland Public Schools and feel so grateful to be able to learn alongside my brilliant and brave students every day. Thank you so much for visiting, and please drop a note to kleffler5@gmail.com if you’d like to connect.