Broadleaf Writers Association is proud to offer our inaugural member author spotlight, featuring author Melanie Sue Bowles.
Her first foray into fiction, Liberty Biscuit, launched in November 2022 and has already earned the Feathered Quill Book Award 2023 for Animal/ Children’s Young Adult. Melanie’s other three titles are non-fiction stories inspired by the rescue horses and other animals living at the sanctuary she operates: The Horses of Proud Spirit, Hoof Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit, and The Dogs of Proud Spirit.
Born and raised in Michigan, Melanie traded deep snows for tropical heat when she moved to Florida in her early 20s. The first woman in that area to make it through the rigorous training required, she proudly became a firefighter medic. That’s where she’d meet the fellow firefighter who would one day become her husband.
With such highly demanding careers, they both decided what they needed was a quiet place out in the country. Their beautiful rural home was surrounded by acres of pastures filled with horses. Melanie had never had a horse or even wanted one before, but she found herself drawn to them.
Deciding to embrace the country life and get a horse of her own, Melanie dove into the process needed to make it happen. That journey led her to find horses who were in the most need of someone that cared. Once again she found herself coming to the rescue. Starting off on just 5 acres, it wasn’t long before things snowballed into a 300 acre facility.
Starting a horse sanctuary may sound like a funny way to simplify your life, but the work brought Melanie a sense of peace. It also came with incredible stories. Each animal had its own history and journey to share. They inspired her first books.
Though she always loved to write, Melanie never intended to become an author. She began chronicling the healing process for the horses that came into her care. A close friend loved them so much that she encouraged Melanie to put them all together and get it published.
Not knowing what a proper manuscript looked like, it sounded like a formidable task. Melanie has never been one to balk at anything daunting. She set to work organizing her stories and finding help with editing them. Then she started querying publishers and agents that seemed like a good match, finding surprise success with the second agent she contacted.
Her first book launched 20 years ago. Afterward, she wrote two more works of non-fiction and numerous articles for equestrian magazines, both in print and online. Eventually the very beginnings of a fiction book began percolating in her mind.
That inspiration became Liberty Biscuit. Written for middle grade, it’s also earned praise from adults. This book is set on a rural peach farm just outside of Savannah, Georgia. There we meet quirky young Kip, an avid reader and expert on local flora and fauna. She desperately wants a horse to ease her loneliness, but her father rejects the idea. Like any strong willed and open hearted young girl, Kip doesn’t let that stop her. She finds a pitiful donkey and the two launch into a journey of personal healing and growth. Sometimes in life we want the glorious horse, but end up with the bedraggled donkey that we love even more deeply than we thought possible.
Transitioning from the non-fiction world into fiction was liberating for Melanie. Honing her imagination and creativity allowed her to dig into herself more. She was able to reach inside her own heart and pull out Kip. 
Melanie’s writing style tends to be more go with the flow, i.e. pantser. This gives her the freedom to explore the world she’s building and allow her characters to take her where they need to be organically. No storyboards or meticulous outlines for her.
She also has a trick for when she’s stuck or feeling fidgety: a nearby puzzle. Melanie isn’t the kind of person to stay in one place for too long. Switching gears and reengaging her focus breaks up the work and keeps her stimulated.
There’s no singularly right way to write. Melanie encourages aspiring authors to find what works for them and accept their individual process. Don’t compare themselves to others or think they have to exactly copy what anyone else is doing. Trust in the creativity you have within.
The writing world has no shortage of encouraging cliches like “believe in yourself” or “follow your dreams.” Melanie challenges you to put a twist on it. Ask yourself “what if I DON’T believe in myself or follow my dreams”. What happens then? Probably nothing completely catastrophic, but also nothing extraordinary.
Early on, Melanie encountered setbacks that could have derailed her efforts to become published. It’s not unusual for new writers or veteran authors to hit roadblocks throughout the process. Creating and finishing a story, tackling the daunting task of finding a literary agent, launching a book, and every step in between offers a host of defeating hazards.
How do we believe in ourselves? How do we counter the negative inner voice? If you had a friend that was passionate about something, wouldn’t you wish them success? Melanie suggests that you wish yourself the same success and encouragement that you would give that friend. Be your own advocate.
From her early days as a firefighter to expanding a horse sanctuary to publishing her stories, Melanie is possessed of an exciting tenacity. Her dedication to curiosity and awe drives her passion. We’re proud to have Melanie as a member of Broadleaf Writers Association and appreciate her being part of this community.
A sequel to Liberty Biscuits as well as a fourth nonfiction edition of stories from the sanctuary are on the horizon. To keep up with her future books and other news from Melanie Sue Bowles, you can keep up with her on Facebook at facebook.com/melanie.fosterbowles.
If you’d like to participate in our Author Spotlight intiative, reach out to Broadleaf Writers Association on any of our social media platforms or contact Jessica Bowers, Broadleaf board member and Director of Marketing and Promotions, at odessablaine@gmail.com. This is only available to current members. To sign up for a membership, please visit broadleafwriters.com/become-a-member