In the day job department, Spencer has been teaching at Northwest Indian College since 2012. He works with students who associate writing with academic trauma, helping them to find their voice and the issues they love writing about.

He is the author of four novels and dozens of short stories published across venues including Tor.com and the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. He has an MA in English/Creative Writing from WWU and is a member of Science Fiction Writers of America and the Codex Writers' Group. He previously served seven years on the board of the Cascade Writers workshop, including stints as president, vice president and secretary.

When he's not writing or teaching, Spencer runs all around Bellingham, plays punk rock with his band Throw No Stereo and relaxes with his partner, artist Chrissy Ellsworth, and their three children.