"A New Year's Family" by Montana Author Cookie Grimes
When Cookie’s first grandson, Chivas Reid was born she promised that she would write true stories about her son Michael and the animals that were in their lives so he could share them with his family. And that is how it all began. Now four years later with her second grandson, Walker Evan, born, she has finished this first book and is working on her next “true animal story.” Cookie, too, loves having a family.
Victor, MT, August 12, 2007 --(PR.com)-- The first of a planned series of animal stories has been published by a local Bitterroot Valley author. “A New Year’s Family” by Cookie Grimes of Victor is selling nationally and internationally from Tate Publishing, a Christian book company in Oklahoma. The book includes a Digital Entertainment Package (a free audio book digital download). A CD can also be purchased separately.
A second book contract has been signed and is currently going through the publishing process: “Jake the Cowhorse” tells a story of Cookie’s palomino quarter horse, who spent the last decade of his life here in the valley. The book will come out as a paperback, an e-book and a CD audio. The books will be distributed by Ingram Spring Arbor.
Cookie, who also teaches the art of porcelain antique reproduction dollmaking at her ranch, both wrote and illustrated “A New Year’s Family”. She began her art career a quarter of a century ago in Florida, china painting dolls and other collectible items. Her detailed painting of the fine dolls she has produced since 1983 helped prepare her for the book’s illustrations.
Her goal in writing children’s books is to teach values and morals through the true animal characters she has been blessed with in her life. The books are focused on positive, caring personalities and traits that children can learn from in an entertaining way. Worthwhile books in history have always been educational and interesting; to hold a child’s imagination and wonder through books will always be a valuable goal.
Cookie explains, “My hope is that this story would be read to children before they start school each year, or read in the classroom during the first week of school, so the young people are reminded that what someone looks like on the outside is not nearly as important as what the person has stored in their heart. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. It’s a good reminder to adults, too.”
She originally tasked her husband with finding a publisher while she wrote the book. But after several months passed by, she fired him, put her pajamas on, and sat in front of the computer for three days poring over websites of book publishers. At 3 a.m. in the third morning she decided on Tate Publishing and emailed them. They accepted her manuscript the next day.
Cookie has attended writing conferences and art classes in Montana to further her skills of the written word and art work. She wanted her illustrations to be understood by even a younger child who has not yet begun to read; her books are meant to be picture books as well as story books. Studying under the nationally-famous forensic artist Carrie Parks of Spokane, Washington also helped prepare Cookie for the illustrating.
Cookie has written for Dollcrafter magazine and newspapers prior to starting her book career. Tate Publishing (at the peak of the Top 10 List of small publishing companies in the United States) picked her up after reading her first draft of the book. Less than 4% of new authors are chosen in Tate’s constant search for writers of children’s books. As a Christian publishing company they strive to keep a family-oriented, wholesome outlook and theme to their books.
The audio version is available free with “A New Year’s Family” and it is narrated by Cookie. She had the able assistance of Deborah and Jason Hicks, who live south of Hamilton and produce high-quality audio works for Huey Lewis and others, as well as their own band. And Russell Perri, pianist and musician here in the Bitterroot, lent his narration skills and blending of background to the audio version as well. So the entire paper book and audio book are truly local Montana talent.
While working on her next book, Cookie takes care of her dogs, horses, longhorn cattle, potbelly pigs, geese, chickens, miniature burros, her husband, and miniature horses--and is always listening and watching for the next true animal story to unfold. As all ranchers know, there’s never a dull moment when you have animals in your life.
The Bitterroot Christian BookStore in Stevensville, Montana has a book signing scheduled September 7th. Cookie will be at the Montana Book Festival in Missoula, Montana September 14th and 15th. Chapter One book store in Hamilton, Montana has a book signing September 29th.
Her book can be ordered through the online websites like Amazon.com; through major book stores such as Barnes & Noble or Borders or Tate Publishing, and independent book stores such as Chapter One and the Bitterroot Christian Bookstore.
For more information go to Cookie’s website at www.cookiegrimes.com.
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A second book contract has been signed and is currently going through the publishing process: “Jake the Cowhorse” tells a story of Cookie’s palomino quarter horse, who spent the last decade of his life here in the valley. The book will come out as a paperback, an e-book and a CD audio. The books will be distributed by Ingram Spring Arbor.
Cookie, who also teaches the art of porcelain antique reproduction dollmaking at her ranch, both wrote and illustrated “A New Year’s Family”. She began her art career a quarter of a century ago in Florida, china painting dolls and other collectible items. Her detailed painting of the fine dolls she has produced since 1983 helped prepare her for the book’s illustrations.
Her goal in writing children’s books is to teach values and morals through the true animal characters she has been blessed with in her life. The books are focused on positive, caring personalities and traits that children can learn from in an entertaining way. Worthwhile books in history have always been educational and interesting; to hold a child’s imagination and wonder through books will always be a valuable goal.
Cookie explains, “My hope is that this story would be read to children before they start school each year, or read in the classroom during the first week of school, so the young people are reminded that what someone looks like on the outside is not nearly as important as what the person has stored in their heart. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. It’s a good reminder to adults, too.”
She originally tasked her husband with finding a publisher while she wrote the book. But after several months passed by, she fired him, put her pajamas on, and sat in front of the computer for three days poring over websites of book publishers. At 3 a.m. in the third morning she decided on Tate Publishing and emailed them. They accepted her manuscript the next day.
Cookie has attended writing conferences and art classes in Montana to further her skills of the written word and art work. She wanted her illustrations to be understood by even a younger child who has not yet begun to read; her books are meant to be picture books as well as story books. Studying under the nationally-famous forensic artist Carrie Parks of Spokane, Washington also helped prepare Cookie for the illustrating.
Cookie has written for Dollcrafter magazine and newspapers prior to starting her book career. Tate Publishing (at the peak of the Top 10 List of small publishing companies in the United States) picked her up after reading her first draft of the book. Less than 4% of new authors are chosen in Tate’s constant search for writers of children’s books. As a Christian publishing company they strive to keep a family-oriented, wholesome outlook and theme to their books.
The audio version is available free with “A New Year’s Family” and it is narrated by Cookie. She had the able assistance of Deborah and Jason Hicks, who live south of Hamilton and produce high-quality audio works for Huey Lewis and others, as well as their own band. And Russell Perri, pianist and musician here in the Bitterroot, lent his narration skills and blending of background to the audio version as well. So the entire paper book and audio book are truly local Montana talent.
While working on her next book, Cookie takes care of her dogs, horses, longhorn cattle, potbelly pigs, geese, chickens, miniature burros, her husband, and miniature horses--and is always listening and watching for the next true animal story to unfold. As all ranchers know, there’s never a dull moment when you have animals in your life.
The Bitterroot Christian BookStore in Stevensville, Montana has a book signing scheduled September 7th. Cookie will be at the Montana Book Festival in Missoula, Montana September 14th and 15th. Chapter One book store in Hamilton, Montana has a book signing September 29th.
Her book can be ordered through the online websites like Amazon.com; through major book stores such as Barnes & Noble or Borders or Tate Publishing, and independent book stores such as Chapter One and the Bitterroot Christian Bookstore.
For more information go to Cookie’s website at www.cookiegrimes.com.
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Contact
Cookie Grimes
406-642-3114
www.cookiegrimes.com
406-642-3114
www.cookiegrimes.com
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