About Laura
A Life Writing Stories
My first byline appeared in my Massachusetts high school newspaper. Then college in Morningside Heights in New York City became my beat for The Barnard Bulletin. My first broadcast? An overnight feed from ABC News in London, where I worked as the David Jayne Fellow after graduation.
Throughout graduate school at Columbia and beyond, I worked for ABC News in New York before landing in San Francisco with one suitcase and $500 to my name. I practically was Mary Ann Singleton from Tales of the City – a favorite novel I have tried to emulate with my newest fiction. Life has come full circle!
"I was Mary Ann Singleton personified. And now I've written my own modern day version of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City meets Prime TV's The Outlaws."
A job as a news writer and editor at KCBS Radio got me into the performer's union and allowed me to file stories for the network. That was a big deal in those days! That led to an on-air reporter/anchor job in Sacramento — where I sat alongside a guy named Rush Limbaugh. Returning to San Francisco, I worked in Public Relations for a multi-national corporation. From there, I became an on-camera street reporter for Fox, CBS, and NBC. General assignment was my beat, but crime was my specialty.
My print journalism career took off after my husband and I had our son. His complex medical life led me to pediatric feature stories — a welcome pivot from live shots and intense deadlines. I reported for The New York Times, where my essays made the most-emailed lists, covering everything from business and health to art and food across California.
Then came fiction. I rode the Amazon Select wave and uploaded Finding Clarity to high results and fun reviews. Scribd named me their most-read female author, earning me an invitation to read at LitQuake in San Francisco. Murder at the Mailbox soon followed with its deep dive into the kooky world of Berkeley.
As our son launched into the world — off to Harvard Law School — my newest novel took shape from the silly characters and crazy stories I encountered in Downtown LA. My goal now? To see Nora and her nutty escapades land in the hands of a publisher.
Career Highlights
Education
Barnard College, Columbia University
BA
Leningrad State University, USSR
Diploma with Honors
Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University
MS
David Jayne Fellow, ABC News
Broadcast Journalism
Worked for ABC in London and New York, CBS radio in San Francisco, KFBK radio in Sacramento, and various TV stations including CBS, NBC, and Fox in San Francisco and Oakland. Known as the "blood and guts reporter" for specializing in crime stories.
The New York Times
Ten years contributing features and articles on diverse topics including business, health, arts, and non-profits. Covered unique stories ranging from art conservation projects and innovative community efforts to business strategies and medical mysteries.
The Journey to Fiction
After 25 years of journalism, I found myself drawn to a different kind of storytelling. The mysteries I'd covered as a crime reporter — the questions left unanswered, the human stories behind the headlines — inspired me to create my own narratives.
First came Finding Clarity, introducing detective Clari Drake in a story set against the backdrop of Berkeley's unique culture and politics. The book blends my journalistic eye for detail with the creative freedom of fiction.
Then came Murder at the Mailbox, where Clari returns to investigate a crime that hits close to home.
Now, I'm developing a new character, Nora, who's making waves in Los Angeles. She's ready for her close-up, and I can't wait to share her story.
FROM THE FIELD
The Blood and Guts Reporter
With tape recorder in hand and notebook ready, I covered breaking news, crime scenes, and the human stories behind them — from New York and London to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Those years in the field — chasing stories, interviewing sources, and piecing together truth from chaos — taught me everything I know about narrative, character, and the compelling power of a good story.