Under the pseudonym of Erin O?Rourke, Lance published the thrillers Seeing Pink (2003) and Fugitive Shoes (2006). His poetry and fiction have garnered numerous awards. He is an alumnus of AmeriCorps and continues to believe in the power of giving.

A licensed English teacher, Lance travels the American Southwest, speaking to readers and writers about the creative process and espousing the holistic benefits of storytelling, daydreaming, and living a vegetarianism lifestyle. He continues to trade his hard-earned money for magic beans, trusting that his mother was right when she sent him off with a pencil in his hand and instructions

to write about what he found at the top of beanstalks.

Lance holds a master's degree in English. He has worked as an editor, a youth counselor, a college English instructor, and as a waiter--using his tips to support his printer-cartridge habit. The Tongue Merchant is his third novel.