Tell us about your books
I write books that entertain, educate, and inspire horse lovers of all ages. Young horse enthusiasts will enjoy the realistic portrayals of riding and caring for horses, and those who don’t have real-life experience with horses will learn along with the characters in my books.
The stories also focus on family, friendship, and resilience. I believe in the power of love and forgiveness, and these themes shine through the books. I’ve published three novels in Sofia’s story, with more to come.
As the series begins, it’s just a few days before Christmas. Sofia wishes for a horse, but she’ll be lucky if she gets a pair of boots and a winter coat. You’ll have to read Sofia’s Surprise to learn how Sofia’s wish eventually comes true. Despite instability in her home life, Sofia discovers loving, caring family and friends in unexpected places and situations.
As the series continues, Sofia navigates the often messy and confusing world of middle school age friendships. Friendships at any age can be hard to figure out, but I think the transition from younger childhood to early adolescence is especially fraught. The books model the power of healthy friendships, setting boundaries, and knowing what you stand for.
I’m looking forward to releasing the first book in a new middle grade series sometime this spring, called Emily Edwards Equestrian Extraordinaire. Emily is confident she has what it takes to become an accomplished equestrian. She’s read every horse book in the library, watched countless how-to videos, and can name every Kentucky Derby winner since 1875. There’s only one obstacle standing in the way of her success. She’s never ridden a horse.
I’ve also published a guided gratitude journal for young horse lovers.
Which books did you enjoy growing up?
Horse books, of course! My favorites were by Walter Farley, who wrote the Black Stallion and about 20 other books in that series. I also loved the Chronicles of Narnia.
Tell us about your pets
I own the friendliest dog in the world. Bella has never met a person she doesn’t love. I also have two naughty cats, Mack and Lilly (they are littermates). Mack delights in getting our attention through any means possible, especially knocking things over and darting down the stairs into the basement where he is not allowed. He’s fond of climbing the Christmas tree. Lily chews everything in sight and thinks she belongs inside our kitchen cabinets. Of course, I love them!
Because I write horse books, I tell everyone who wants to listen about Max, the palomino miniature horse who has been a part of my family for more than twenty years. He’s patient with giving pony rides to small kids, but his real passion is jumping. Now that he’s almost 27 years old, he doesn’t jump in competitions, but he still enjoys showing off his skills.
Max lives with his best friend, Dusty, a small pony with “appaloosa” coloring. Dusty will be anyone’s friend if they keep him supplied with treats, especially candy canes. He’s a good sport about being ridden by small children, though he sometimes has to remind them he’s the boss. He enjoys pulling a cart and sleigh.
Where is your favorite place to read?
At the beach by the ocean or snuggled up in bed.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to ride and take care of horses, and I’m at the barn almost every day. I groom Max and take him for walks and often help with cleaning stalls and feeding and caring for the other animals. There are four horses, four goats, three sheep, three geese, a pot belly pig, and lots of ducks, chickens, and Guinea fowl. I don’t own a riding horse anymore, so I take lessons at a local stable twice a month. I ride English with a focus on dressage, but my favorite horseback activity is trail riding. In October 2021, I had an opportunity to ride on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine. I’m thankful for the 26-year-old Standardbred mare, Soprano, who carried me up Day Mountain. The view of the mountains and fall foliage was spectacular.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
When I was five or six, I wanted to be a paleontologist and study dinosaurs. You can’t ride a dinosaur, unfortunately, but you can ride a horse, and that became my passion at around age eight. At various times I hoped to become a jockey, a harness racing driver, or a groom. I also dreamed of becoming a writer! I put that dream aside for many, many years. I published my first novel a few weeks before turning 52!
What is a writing tip for aspiring authors?
Writing and publishing a novel is a long journey that can feel overwhelming at first. But, like any journey, it is completed by taking one step at a time. Set small goals for yourself and try to write every day (or on most days), even if it is only for thirty minutes. It might not feel like you are making much progress, but every step you take is one step closer to completing the journey. Everyone is different, and methods that work well for one writer might not work as well for you. There are lots of “experts” who will insist you need to use their particular formula, or create a detailed outline, or follow a certain story structure, or obey writing “rules” if you want to be successful. It’s good to learn from others, but remember that there are many different routes to get to your destination. Don’t be afraid to discover your own path.
You can find Laura online in these places: