Gretchen is an internationally-published author who spent many years working in the fields of education and travel. Her parents had always encouraged her to write, but she waited until she heard “you are a writer" from more trustworthy advisors: a London psychic, and a taxicab driver in Athens, Greece. The taxicab driver also said they had been lovers in a previous life.

She has traveled to over forty-five countries, and set foot on all seven continents. Her first foray into writing was the 2012 memoir I HAVE IRAQ IN MY SHOE, which was re-released in 2025. Her 2020 novel THE OPERATOR has been translated into six languages, and was an Amazon “Editor’s Pick” for Best Literature & Fiction.

Author photograph by Ann Schluter-Kowaliczko