Laurel graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. She worked in marketing, accounting, and software development before pursuing her dream of barely making a living as a freelance writer, editor, and stay-at-home mom. Her first novel, Soft Landing, was published in 2009. She is a contributor at Role Reboot, and her essays have appeared online at Daily Life, Everyday Feminism, Jaded Ibis Press, and Ravenous Butterflies. When she was young and spry, she volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and local animal shelters. She also spent several months working in Central America at a wildlife sanctuary and a rain forest conservation group while learning very little Spanish. She remains committed to social, political, and economic equality and protecting the planet. She lives in Oregon where her version of “having it all” is working from home in her pajamas. She tried yoga once but gave up when she pulled something that shouldn’t be pulled.