Elaine Ambrose is a bestselling author of 12 books, 14 eBooks, and 4 audiobooks, and she has won more than 26 prestigious national writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. As a motivational and humorous speaker, Elaine Ambrose shared her effective storytelling strategies to business and civic audiences across the country and in five foreign countries. As a certified workshop facilitator, she organizes and presents writing and storytelling workshops on her YouTube Channel and in person.
Elaine recently became a ventriloquist and enjoys her lively characters. She intends to entertain at local events, schools, and various local associations. In June, she’ll introduce Jessie Jo from Idaho at the Moudy Mountain Summer Festival near McCall, Idaho.
Elaine has been interviewed on local and regional television stations, on Internet radio programs, on the Huffington Post Live program from New York City, and in local and regional magazines and newspapers. She speaks at university commencement ceremonies, and business and civic workshops, and was a repeat speaker at the prestigious Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop. Elaine was raised on an isolated farm near the village of Wendell, Idaho when the population totaled 1,000 people. She left home to travel the world and has visited 32 countries. She has two grown children, five grandchildren, and two stepsons. She lives with her husband in Eagle, Idaho.
- Find Elaine’s author page on BookBub
- Find Elaine’s author page on Amazon.com.
The Journey of a Storyteller
1973 – Idaho’s first female television news reporter and talk show hostess.
1975 – First female Assistant Director of School Services for the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She wrote a public relations proposal for education that won First Place in a national competition sponsored by CASE – the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
(Postponed full-time employment to stay home with two splendid babies.)
1983 – First female Communications Officer for Idaho Bank & Trust Corporate Headquarters, Boise
1988 – One of five female managers at Boise Cascade Corporate Headquarters, Boise, Idaho. She wrote and implemented a nationwide literacy program called “Ready to Read.”
1988 – Co-chair of Women in Management Seminar as the primary fundraiser for the YWCA
1990 – Member of original planning committee for the Boise River Festival – served as chair of the entertainment committee for the children’s talent show and organized the donation and transportation of floats from Pasadena, California to Boise, Idaho.
1991 – Named “Distinguished Citizen” by The Idaho Statesman for personal and professional contributions
1998 – First female Assistant Editor of Boise Magazine. Received First Place award for feature writing from the Idaho Press Club.
2002 – Named first editor of The McCall Magazine.
2002 – Featured speaker in StoryStory Night, Boise’s version of “The Moth.”
2003 – Named TWIN Recipient – Tribute to Women in Industry
2004 – Founded Mill Park Publishing and published books for women – allowing more than 60 women to become published authors in her anthologies of short stories
2008 – Started award-winning blog “Elaine Ambrose” – syndicated with several viral posts and awards. Created website: www.ElaineAmbrose.com.
2008 – Started “Write by the River” writing workshops and retreats for women
2009 – Founding Member of the Idaho Writers Guild – helped organize annual conference
2012, 2013, 2014 – Ambrose received Outstanding Author Awards from the Idaho Book Extravaganza in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
2013 – Created the first of many “Life Sucks, Laugh Hard” live comedy shows in Boise.
2013 – Two books published by Elaine’s company Mill Park Publishing won four of the forty awards given by the 2013 Idaho Book Extravaganza Top Book and Author Awards. Awards were for First Place for fiction, cover design, interior design, and Second Place for cover design. Books from Mill Park Publishing have won 14 awards in 3 years.
2014 – Selected as a recipient of Idaho Business Review “Woman of the Year” award
2014 – Stand-up Comedy Night for the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop
2014 – Selected as a syndicated blogger on The Huffington Post and published more than 150 essays. Most of the essays were on the Humor page but some were published on the Midlife and After 50 pages. She authored a humorous post on The Huffington Post that went viral with more than 800,000 likes. The post, titled Don’t Fart During an MRI was reprinted in several countries in various languages and continues to gain fans. The post was named as of one of the Top Ten Most-Read Posts in the Ten-Year History of The Huffington Post. Ambrose was interviewed live from New York. Interview on Huffington Post Live-Streaming Network.
2015 – A blog essay, My Mother’s Body Got Lost, was chosen as a winning entry in the Voices of the Year Competition sponsored by BlogHer. Ambrose presented her essay at the conference in New York in July 2015.
2015 – Created a live comedy show titled “Life Sucks, Laugh Hard” with proceeds going to charity. Life Sucks Laugh Hard – NYT Bestselling Humor Authors to Perform in Boise Tickets, Fri, May 15, 2015 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite.
2016 – Named a regular featured contributor to Sixty and Me.
2016, 2020 – Voted as one of the top three “Best of Treasure Valley Authors” in a poll by The Idaho Statesman.
2017 – Created and funded first Idaho chapter of “Cycling without Age” for senior citizens
2017 – Created a children’s writing contest in conjunction with the Idaho Potato Drop for New Year’s Eve.
2017-2018-2019 – Elaine won three writing awards from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists for her humorous blog posts on The Huffington Post and on her own blog.
2019 – Established the Ambrose Storytelling Endowment at the University of Idaho
2019 – Featured columnist as “The Midlife Sage” for Annie Jennings Wire.
2020 – Elaine’s essay was a winner in the Erma Bombeck Humor Writing Competition.
2020 – Earned Certified Facilitator status from the Morter Institute for BioEnergetics.
2022 – Stared in a live comedy shows for the annual Women Ignite International Conference.
BOOKS by ELAINE AMBROSE
Melody’s Magical Flying Machine
This children’s book about a spirited girl with Down syndrome won the winner of the 2021 New York City Big Book Distinguished Favorite Award for Children’s Fiction. Winner of Silver Medal for Children’s Fiction from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Winner of 2021 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Award for Children’s Fiction. Kirkus Reviews wrote that the book is “A joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.” The book is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Won 2019 Distinguished Favorite for Memoir from Independent Press Awards. Won Distinguished Favorite from the New York City Big Book Awards program. Available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.
This collection of children’s stories won the 2018 Distinguished Favorite Award for Children’s Fiction from the Independent Press Awards. The book is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
This bi-lingual children’s book won 2017 Silver Medal for Children’s Literature from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards program. The book was adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education for the statewide curriculum. The book is available in paperback and eBook.
Finalist for 2016 “Book of the Year for Humor” from ForeWord Magazine. Won Gold Medal for Midlife and Silver Medal for Humor from Independent Press Awards. Foreword Reviews gave the book a rare 5-Star Review. Available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
The book won the 2014 Silver Medal for Humor from the Independent Publisher Book Award program (IPPY) and received a 4-Star from ForeWord Reviews. The book won First Place for Humor and First Place for eBook from the North American Book Awards. It won First Place for Cover Design and Top Idaho Author from the Idaho Book Awards. Available in paperback and eBook. Publishers Weekly wrote that the book is “laugh-out-loud funny.” Foreword Reviews wrote that Midlife Cabernet is “Erma Bombeckesque…an argument for joy.” In January 2015, the book ranked #1 in sales in the humor category on Amazon.com and sold more than 8,000 copies.
Menopause Sucks (with Joanne Kimes) – 2008
Other Books by Elaine Ambrose
Drinking with Dead Women Writers – 2012
Drinking with Dead Drunks – 2012
Daily Erotica – 366 Poems of Passion – 2010
The Red Tease – Adventures in Golf – 2005 Bronze Medal Winner for Humor from ForeWord Magazine
Waiting for the Harvest – 1992
Short Stories Published in the Following Anthologies
Laugh Out Loud – 40 Humorists from the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop – 2018
A Cup of Love – 2018
Angel Bumps – 2017
Feisty after 45 – 2016
The Dog with the Old Soul – 2012
A Miracle Under the Christmas Tree – 2012
Hauntings from the Snake River Plain – 2012
Little White Dress – 2011
Faith, Hope, & Healing with Bernie Siegel, M.D. – 2009
Beyond Burlap – 1997
MEDIA LINKS
Idaho Author is a Winner in the Erma Bombeck Humor Writing Competition (elaineambrose.com)
Elaine Ambrose | Kirkus Reviews
“Melody” Flies to Family Advocates Program (elaineambrose.com)
Author Featured in KNOW BOISE Publication (elaineambrose.com)
awards and accolades (elaineambrose.com) – Blog Radio Interviews
Books by Elaine Ambrose and Complete Book Reviews (publishersweekly.com)
Life is a Cabernet – Eagle Magazine
“Cycling Without Age” Brings Joy to Eagle Residents – Eagle Magazine
Author Featured in KNOW BOISE Publication (elaineambrose.com)
Elaine Ambrose Gives University of Idaho Students the Gift of Storytelling (uidaho.edu)
University Advancement | University of Idaho (uidaho.edu)
2018 Ambrose Storytelling Workshop (uidaho.edu)
Elaine Ambrose | eSpeakers Marketplace
Becoming a humorist in midlife: Elaine’s Story – Hélène T. Stelian Coaching (helenetstelian.com)
Elaine Ambrose – Audio Books, Best Sellers, Author Bio | Audible.com
JenningsWire | The World Of Success
Five Funny Books To Feed Your Soul | by Janie Emaus | Dec, 2022 | MuddyUm
INTERNATIONAL BOOK REVIEWERS
Books by Elaine Ambrose and Complete Book Reviews (publishersweekly.com)
Elaine Ambrose | Kirkus Reviews
Review of Midlife Happy Hour (9781612549217) — Foreword Reviews
Review of Frozen Dinners (9781612542843) — Foreword Reviews
Review of Midlife Cabernet (9780988398078) — Foreword Reviews
INTERNATIONAL BLOGGER COMMENDATIONS
Baby Boomer Influencers – IZEA
https://www.1800homecare.com/blog/baby-boomer-bloggers/
Becoming a humorist in midlife: Elaine’s Story – Hélène T. Stelian Coaching (helenetstelian.com)
Edit Post “I’ve Become a Stinkin’ Cartoon” ‹ Elaine Ambrose — WordPress
SYNDICATED COLUMNS – Examples
Elaine Ambrose (shewrites.com)
Meet Our Featured Contributors (sixtyandme.com)
Healthy Humor: Too Much Of A Good Thing (midlifeboulevard.com)
Annie Jennings Wire. – Midlife Sage
TV INTERVIEWS
Mother-Daughter Relationships, KAZT-TV, Phoenix, Arizona
s3.amazonaws.com/NDSMediaArchiveBucket/KAZT/20130204/89AF68DC-DAFB-48E5-BBAB-120B3F1AFF53.h264.mp4
Annie Jennings PR Client On KNXV Sonoran Living – YouTube
NATIONAL RADIO INTERVIEWS
Menopause
Family Relationships – B-NOW Blogspot radio: The Good Brother
https://d1at8ppinvdju8.cloudfront.net/1/005/show_10053971_2017_06_07_14_31_44.mp3
Blended Families
Texas Conflict Coach » Search Results » Elaine Ambrose
OTHER LINKS
Amazon.com: Elaine Ambrose: books, biography, latest update
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elaine-ambrose
Elaine Ambrose | eSpeakers Marketplace
Elaine Ambrose | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster (simonandschuster.com)
Elaine Ambrose Gives University of Idaho Students the Gift of Storytelling (uidaho.edu)
Comedy Show Creator and Participant
COMMUNITY
Elaine started the Idaho Chapter of “Cycling Without Age” to provide cycle rides for senior citizens.
Here is the audio for three of Elaine’s interviews on Blog Talk Radio?
The Good Brother – How The NOW Is What We Have
Who Are You Calling Old?
How Blended Families Can UNITE & Not Fight For The Holidays
BOOK REVIEWS
Elaine Ambrose’s Midlife Happy Hour is a humorous look at the life of a small-town farmer’s daughter who did not conform to the expectations of society or her family. Ambrose shares her story without apologies or regrets. In between the book’s funniest moments, she relates life lessons learned along the way.
The joys and perils of midlife are equally celebrated in this very funny book, whose author laughs her way through a wide variety of topics—from growing up in an age when women were expected to fill a very narrow role to fighting for career successes in the male-dominated corporate world. Ambrose recalls raising kids, growing older, and staying passionate about life.
Each chapter covers a different topic and can easily be read as a stand-alone essay. This makes the book very easy to enjoy in small sips, each as rich and enjoyable as the Cabernet the author is so fond of. It’s filled with laugh-out-loud moments and insights that can only come from someone who has lived a full life with plenty of ups and downs along the way.
The author has a wonderful sense of humor that makes even dark subjects, like the death of her mother, read lightly. She does not flinch from sharing her own embarrassments, such as a particularly harrowing experience trying to use the toilet in a fringe-covered dress. Each story is genuine and relatable.
In addition to its humor, the book is full of insights on how to get through life, advising women to take risks, avoid negativity, and enjoy relationships. Its best advice: “‘Keep laughing … That’s how we survive.’”
At times, Ambrose’s viewpoint does narrow, such as when she discusses grown children moving back home. She sees this as a problem, and doesn’t seem to consider the difficult circumstances that may contribute. Such moments are momentarily off-putting, but the tone of the work is not generally judgmental, and Ambrose aims her occasionally sharp pen at herself far more than at anyone else. Her views are her own, and, true to the message of the book, she is unafraid of expressing them.
Midlife Happy Hour is intended for audiences of sympathetic middle-aged women, those who are done raising families and struggling in their careers, by whom the author’s authentic voice stands to be embraced. Ambrose’s work is funny, irreverent, and refreshing, and her advice is spot-on.
~Foreward Reviews
“Ambrose’s memoir/how-to-survive-aging guidebook reads like a mashup of Erma Bombeck and Nicole Hollander’s Sylvia comic strip…The originality is in Ambrose’s unique life story… I feel I have encountered her material in books by Bombeck or Nora Ephron.”
~The Critic Report
Ambrose faces the frights, frustrations, and fancies of aging in this refreshingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny survival guide for middle-aged women. Infusing her prose with sarcastic dark humor, the author offers homespun recommendations on dating and sex, raising adult children, and the physical effects of aging—all with brazen cheer. From stressful divorces and facing Christmas alone to disastrous sexual misadventures, nothing is sacred or off limits. The author’s prose is lively and entertaining, with statements like “one of the many advantages of living in the last third of life is that I don’t accept crap from anyone.” Sure to be irritated and edified, women over 40 will find a lot to like here.
~Publisher’s Weekly
Publisher and Speaker
Ambrose is the founder and facilitator of the quarterly Women, Words, and Wine Writing Retreat as well as the annual Write by the River Retreats sponsored by her business, Mill Park Publishing. Write by the River Retreats have featured New York Times bestselling authors Anthony Doerr, AK Turner, Jennifer Basye Sander, and Whiting award winner Alan Heathcock.
She spoke in 2014, 2016, and 2018 at the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop in Dayton, Ohio, and at the virtual conference in 2020. She was a speaker at the first annual BAM Bloggers at Midlife Conference in 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee, and again in Las Vegas in 2016. She is a regular speaker and workshop leader at the Idaho Writers Guild Rendezvous.
Ambrose was Idaho’s first female television news reporter and talk show hostess, the first editor of McCall Magazine, the associate editor of Boise Magazine, a manager in the Communications Department for Boise Cascade Corporation, a founding member of the Idaho Writers Guild and a sponsor of its annual writing conference, the Idaho Writers Rendezvous.
The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop named Ambrose Featured Blogger in April of 2014 and Humor Author of the Month in May. She received a national volunteer award from the University of Idaho and served as president of the national alumni association. An avid traveler, Ambrose has visited 32 countries around the world.
Many of Elaine’s relatives walked or rode wagons to Idaho via the Oregon Trail. She grew up on an isolated potato farm in Wendell, Idaho (population 1,000). Because she usually was grounded, she spent much of her time reading in her room. The enticing photographs in National Geographic magazines provided the perfect escape, and she vowed to someday travel the world. Since then, Elaine has visited more than 32 countries. Highlights of her explorations include riding on a bull elephant on safari in Nepal while witnessing a wild tiger kill a buffalo; hiking to the top of the dome of the Vatican in Rome, Italy; attending a cooking school in South Africa; singing in a concert choir that toured Europe; cruising down the Nile on the way to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt; hosting a tour group in Ireland; and getting expelled from a tour of the Taj Mahal in India because she was too noisy. Elaine recently toured Greece and the Spanish island of Palma de Mallora with only carry-on luggage and her new husband.
Volunteer Projects include:
Bishop Kelly High School and Centennial High School Booster Clubs
President of Ada County Delta Gamma Alumnae
Founding member of The Idaho Writers Guild
Original planning committee for the Boise River Festival
Member, Board of Directors for the YMCA and YWCA
Member, Board of Directors of the University of Idaho Foundation
National President of the University of Idaho Alumni Association
Founded the Idaho Chapter of “Cycling Without Age.” Here’s a preview of the launch party.
