Michael Schneider

Michael Schneider is a central Texas native living in a small town outside of Austin. She is the mother of three girls and has been married to her high school sweetheart for almost 29 years. She juggles writing with a full-time career in the insurance industry, a teenager still at home—who will be going to college in the fall leaving her with an empty nest—and caring for her disabled husband. When she’s not busy writing or balancing the role of wife and mother, Michael can be found reading, quilting or gardening. She also enjoys watching science fiction movies and visiting area antique stores and flea markets with her family. She began writing in an unconventional way—on a dare. After voicing her frustration that she couldn’t find anything good to read one day, one of her daughters dared her to write something of her own that would meet the expectation she was looking for. Michael had never even kept a journal as a kid, always having been a firm believer in not putting her thoughts or feelings on paper where someone might see. Life circumstances had taught her to see every challenge as an opportunity to learn something new—a belief she worked hard to instill in her children as well. Not one to back down from a challenge, especially one posed by her children, Michael accepted the dare. What she discovered was a new creative outlet for her imagination and a passion for writing. She kept her writing a closely guarded secret from everyone, only sharing what she was up to with her husband and children, who were sworn to secrecy. When her passion blossomed from a fun hobby into more serious work and a publishing opportunity, it was time to share. Anyone close to Michael knew she had a twisted sense of humor and a very eclectic personality—Southern Baptist, conservative mom, and closet Trekkie. Her family and friends were curious to see what she would actually put into writing for the world to see. Over the past couple of years, she’s received a few odd stares and questions, such as, “just how scary is it inside your head?” But they’re always the first in line to read the next release.