My newest identity in life started around the time I turned 60 years old, when I became an author. People are often surprised when I tell them that I am a published author of a cookbook AND a children’s book. Then they inquire how or why. My response….I became an author because…
I owned a bakery for 16 years. It was my life 24/7. I had a simple old-fashioned bakery using recipes that had been in my family for generations and a few new recipes we created along the way. I loved my bakery and our community loved it.
And then one day, out of nowhere…my husband was diagnosed with M.S. And life changed. As the disease progressed and he required constant care, I had to close my bakery to stay home and care for him. I promised our loyal customers that I would write a cookbook of the recipes from the bakery so they could still enjoy our sweet treats after we closed.
Truth be told, I didn’t realize how much work it was to write a cookbook. I just figured type up the recipes, add a few photos, staple it together and done. HA, HA, HA!! Boy was I wrong. Or shall I say…I wasn’t completely right. Though the extra work is partially my fault. As I began the process, I decided that I didn’t want one of those simple versions of cookbooks that schools and churches do for fundraisers. You know the type…white pages, black print and a few images or drawings. So NOT my style! I wanted MY cookbook to be unique, colorful and larger than life. Maybe a bit like me! Ha, Ha!
Long story short and a tale for another day….I created the exact cookbook that I always imagined it would be and I didn’t settle for the “norm”. It took me over 6 years of free time and spare moments from my caregiving tasks, but I wrote and designed the entire cookbook myself. And I used photos that I had taken at the bakery over the years. I’m proud to say…it is a unique cookbook that also reads like a story book. It offers a deliciously fun escape as you relax in a comfy chair, to sip your coffee, tea or a glass of wine. It has a gallery of colorful, sentimental photos along with helpful hints and numerous amusing stories from the bakery and my family. I’m extremely proud to say…when “Grandma Millie’s Bakery Cookbook” was born, I became an author!
Since I’m new to this author identity and don’t have a literary agent or a publisher and I didn’t want to wait until I did. So, I became a self-published author. Basically I paid to have my books printed, just so I could get them out in the world and sold. I’m happy to say…my first printing of 100 cookbooks sold out in 24 days!! I was elated! Then I had an additional 50 books printed and they also sold. With my inventory depleted, I still had requests for more cookbooks, so I recently had another 50 cookbooks printed. This does my author’s heart so good!
And then suddenly in July 2023, my life changed again. I was on my way to the pasture to feed and water my miniature donkey (Jasper). He came into my life when he was only 2 years old. He had been labeled a “biter” at a petting zoo and was about to be put down. When I heard this…sight unseen, I had to rescue him. I fell in love with him the moment he arrived at my farm. He became my absolute joy…after my grandchildren and before my husband. My husband would laugh and confirm this fact! And he was OK with it, because Jasper is really special!
Back to that fateful day. On my way to the pasture, I tripped over the water hose…flew through the air and crashed to the ground. I fractured my right femur, damaged my artificial knee and broke 2 bones in my foot! OUCH would be an understatement! Fast forward past the ambulance ride to the hospital, 2 surgeries, a 3 week stay in the hospital and then a 3 week stint in a rehab facility to heal and learn how to walk again. I was going stir crazy sitting in a hospital bed for so many hours. So I asked my daughter-in-law to bring my laptop to me. She asked why? And I told her that I had always wanted to write a children’s book and now was the time.
My little donkey became the muse for my children’s book. Not only was Jasper my inspiration to get well and get back home to him and my family, I wanted to create a fun story that children would love and want to read over and over again.
And just like my cookbook, I wrote, designed and illustrated the entire project. When it was complete, I could now proudly say I became a children’s book author! And just as I did with my cookbook, I paid to have my children’s book published as well. I sold my original 100 copies fairly quickly and I recently had another 100 copies printed.
I’m proud to say, I became an author because…in the face of adversity, I rose victorious with a new mission in life. I was planning for my future…for a time in my life when I would have another new identity as a widow and no longer a wife. I knew I would have to stay busy or sorrow would overcome me.
Sadly, the M.S. took my husband from me on August 1st 2024. He suffered for 16 years. But now he’s at peace and no longer suffering. I miss him terribly. But I have to remind myself, I became an author because…I created books that would keep me busy and provide a source of income after my husband was gone. So now, my plan is to participate in author events and travel to promote my books. Because…I am an author and that’s what authors do!
During my next quest in life and by the Grace of God…I hope to be blessed with a literary agent and a publisher, so more people can enjoy my books. And hopefully I can achieve an income to take me through my senior years.
Thank you for reading the story of how I became and author. Please look for me at the following author events and book festivals (links below). Or kindly pop over to my “Shop” on this website and purchase Grandma Millie’s Bakery Cookbook and/or Jasper Roo, Where Are You? children’s book! My heart thanks you a million times over for your support. Tell your friends and family. Please make me a household name and help keep this widow busy!
The Knoxville Book Festival…https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15dA2JGf8w/?mibextid=wwXlfr
The Rose Glen Literary Festival…https://appalachianwordfest.com/book-vendors/
The Shop at Frugal and Delicious…https://frugalanddelicious.com/shop-frugal-and-delicious-grandma-millies-bakery-cookbook/
Oh, I almost forgot…GREAT NEWS…YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST…I’m currently writing another cookbook featuring savory recipes and food traditions from our family! AND, I’m also working on a follow-up story in what will be a series of Jasper Roo children’s books!! Stay tuned!! I hope you are as excited as I am….because I’m about to jump off this page!
Until later. Stay well. Stay safe. Be happy!
Love,
Chauncey
