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Elaine Ambrose

Bestselling Author, Ventriloquist, & Humorist

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Writing Workshop – “Writing the Wrongs: How Experiences Create our Stories”

September 23, 2023 By Elaine Ambrose

A writing workshop titled “Writing the Wrongs: How Experiences Create Our Stories” is available on October 27 and will be repeated on November 3 in Eagle, Idaho. Bestselling author Elaine Ambrose will facilitate the morning sessions, and a panel of Idaho authors will end the workshop with a discussion and Q&A session. Participants will be encouraged to volunteer to read their works aloud to the group. The cost for the workshop is $80 and includes continental breakfast, lunch, all materials, and books.  A Zoom option is available for $40.

The focus of the event is to encourage writers to recall memories of personal angst, fear, or sadness. These raw emotions can create dynamic stories to heal the wounds of past trauma and drama. The Workshop includes continental breakfast, lunch, and materials.

The event is in a private home, so the address will be emailed after receipt of a paid ticket.

Elaine Ambrose

AGENDA

9:00 AM – Continental Breakfast

9:15 AM

Welcome and Introductions with Elaine Ambrose

9:45 AM

“Music as Muse” Exercise and Personal Writing Prompts will inspire participants to recall latent memories to spark emotions to enhance an original story.

10:30 AM

Participants Volunteer to Read

11:00 AM

“How to Discover and Improve Your Authentic Voice” – Interactive Exercises

12:00 PM

Break for Lunch and Personal Writing

12:45 PM

“How to Find Positive Affirmation as a Writer” – Panel of Local Authors

1:45 PM

Open Discussion and Readings

2:00 PM

Adjourn Workshop

Eventbrite link with more details and registration options: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writing-the-wrongs-how-experiences-create-our-stories-tickets-723702753417?aff=oddtdtcreator

Filed Under: blog, events Tagged With: #amwriting, #books, #Idaho, #writer, writers workshop

Take Me on Vacation this Summer!

April 14, 2023 By Elaine Ambrose


For summer reading, please consider my books, eBooks, and audiobooks.
The books have won 26 prestigious writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. My books feature authentic storytelling, they have never been banned, they are reusable, and the books don’t need batteries or electronic chargers. All of them were written in Idaho and published in the USA.

Most of these books, eBooks, and audiobooks are described on the Amazon Author Page, but they also can be ordered from local bookstores and independent distributors. Or, bring some wine to my home and I’ll sign a free book!

The audiobooks are listed on Elaine Ambrose – Audio Books, Best Sellers, Author Bio | Audible.com.

The eBooks are listed on the author’s profile on BookBub.

Three 2021 International Awards for Children’s Fiction

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. Published by Brown Books Kids.

Frozen Dinners

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. Published by Brown Books Publishing Group.

Gators & Taters

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.

The Magic Potato

This bilingual children’s book won the 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.

 

Midlife Happy Hour

Three awards, including finalist for “Book of the Year for Humor

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. Published by Brown Books Publishing Group.

Midlife Cabernet

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 – Published by Adams Media/Simon&Schuster. This popular reference book combines medical advice, amusing anecdotes, and hilarious hints for hot women surviving the “M” word.

 

 

 

 


Other Books by Elaine Ambrose

Drinking with Dead Women Writers – 2012 – with Amanda Turner

Drinking with Dead Drunks – 2012 – with Amanda Turner

Daily Erotica – 366 Poems of Passion – 2010 with Gretchen Anderson, Rachel Hatch, and Liza Long

The Red Tease – Adventures in Golf – 2005 Bronze Medal Winner for Humor from ForeWord Magazine

Waiting for the Harvest – 1992 – Available only from the author.

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

My current project is titled Midlife Reboot – 

Humorous Stories of Rest, Resilience, and Renewal

Filed Under: blog, books Tagged With: #amwriting, #audiobooks, #books, #childrensbooks, #humor, #Idaho, #memoir, #midlife, eBooks

120 Women Empowered to be Published Authors

October 20, 2022 By Elaine Ambrose

My company, Mill Park Publishing, survived 16 years of productivity and empowered more than 120 women to become published authors. The company also donated money and books to various charities, organized writing retreats, was an annual sponsor for the Idaho Writers Guild conference, created a YouTube channel for writing tips and book promotions, and sponsored live comedy shows in Boise. The company published 18 books, 16 eBooks, and four audiobooks. The books received 26 national writing awards and multiple glowing national reviews.

 

No batteries required.

2004 – The Red Tease – A Woman’s Adventure in Golf

(2008 – (I fulfilled a publishing contract to coauthor Menopause Sucks published by Adams Media.)

2010 – Daily Erotica (Featuring Gretchen Anderson, Rachel Hatch, Liza Long, and Elaine Ambrose)

2011 – Mother Knows Best by Patti Murphy

2011 – The Backyard Chicken Fight by Gretchen Anderson

2011 – Little White Dress (Compiled by Liza Long featuring 26 writers)

2012 – Drinking with Dead Women Writers (with Amanda Turner)

2012 – Drinking with Dead Drunks (with Amanda Turner)

2013 – Mother Knows Better by Patti Murphy

2013 – Angel of Esperanza by Judith McConnell Steel

2014 – Midlife Cabernet – Love, Life, and Laughter after Fifty

2016 – Feisty after 45 – The Best Blogs from Midlife Women (Anthology featuring 45 writers)

2016 – Midlife Happy Hour (Published by Brown Books Publishing Group. Mill Park published eBook and audiobook.)

2017 – Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories (Edited with new illustrations and audiobook.)

2017 – The Magic Potato – Storybook in English and Spanish (Edited with new illustrations)

2017 – Angel Bumps (Anthology compiled by Anne Bardsley with 50 writers)

2018 – Frozen Dinners (Memoir published by Brown Books Publishing Group. Mill Park published eBook.)

2019 – The Glamorous Life of Josie Marie by Angie Meyer Olszewski

2020 – Melody’s Magical Flying Machine (Published by Brown Books Kids. Mill Park published eBook and audiobook.)

So, what’s next? Here’s the working cover for a new humor book to complete the Midlife Trilogy titled, Midlife Reboot – Humorous Stories of Rest, Resilience, and Renewal. Yes, I realize I passed midlife a few decades ago, but I could live to be 140. So far, I’m still in the reboot stage and waiting for a creative download of energy.

Here are photos of a few of the books and donations: (Click on the photo to see the caption.)

Authors of "Daily Erotica" met at a writer's group in Eagle, Idaho. Their free readings entertained groups across the valley.
Authors of “Daily Erotica” met at a writer’s group in Eagle, Idaho. Their free readings entertained groups across the valley.
Amanda Turner and I met for Christmas lunch in 2011 and wrote an outline on a cocktail napkin for "Drinking with Dead Women Writers."
Amanda Turner and I met for Christmas lunch in 2011 and wrote an outline on a cocktail napkin for “Drinking with Dead Women Writers.”
Proceeds from Patti Murphy's book were donated to Women's and Children's Alliance with Beatrice Black, WCA executive director.
Proceeds from Patti Murphy’s book were donated to Women’s and Children’s Alliance with Beatrice Black, WCA executive director.
A portion of proceeds from Judith McConnell Steele's book was donated to the Writers in the Schools Program sponsored by The Cabin in Boise.
A portion of proceeds from Judith McConnell Steele’s book was donated to the Writers in the Schools Program sponsored by The Cabin in Boise.
Liza Long wore her abandoned wedding dress to read her essay at the premiere party. Proceeds were donated to Dress for Success.
Liza Long wore her abandoned wedding dress to read her essay at the premiere party. Proceeds were donated to Dress for Success.
Nancy Oppenheimer, a former nun, describes her wedding dress in "Little White Dress."
Nancy Oppenheimer, a former nun, describes her wedding dress in “Little White Dress.”
Money was donated to Wassmuth Center for Human Rights so 200 local school children could see the documentary, "He Named Me Malala."
Money was donated to Wassmuth Center for Human Rights so 200 local school children could see the documentary, “He Named Me Malala.”
Publishers Weekly wrote, "Midlife Cabernet" is laugh-out-loud funny.
Publishers Weekly wrote, “Midlife Cabernet” is laugh-out-loud funny.
"Feisty after 45" featured 45 midlife bloggers.
“Feisty after 45” featured 45 midlife bloggers.
Sherry Briscoe reads her essay at the premiere party for "Feisty after 45."
Sherry Briscoe reads her essay at the premiere party for “Feisty after 45.”
I used an average-sized Idaho potato to promote the children's writing contest for New Year's Eve.
I used an average-sized Idaho potato to promote the children’s writing contest for New Year’s Eve.
Student winner of children's writing contest at the Idaho Potato Drop.
Student winner of children’s writing contest at the Idaho Potato Drop.
Books and 3D toys featuring "Melody's Magical Flying Machine" were donated to Idaho Special Olympics and Family Advocates.
Books and 3D toys featuring “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine” were donated to Idaho Special Olympics and Family Advocates.
Anthologies and books enabled 120 women to become published writers.
Anthologies and books enabled 120 women to become published writers.
No batteries required.
No batteries required.

Filed Under: blog, books Tagged With: #amwriting, #anthologies, #humor, #memoir, authors, children's books, publishing

“Melody” Flies to Family Advocates Program

April 14, 2022 By Elaine Ambrose

 

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is an award-winning children’s book that features a girl with Down syndrome who uses a 3D printer to create a flying machine. Her positive attitude and creative storytelling abilities have delighted readers, educators, parents, book reviewers, and awards committees across the country. To accompany the book, two toys were designed by a 3D printer in Nampa, Idaho.

Fifty copies and 100 3D toys recently were donated to Family Advocates in Boise. The organization is dedicated to ending child abuse, Family Advocates addresses the full spectrum of need with comprehensive programs for both prevention and advocacy.

“We are excited to accept the donation of books and toys,” said Kathryn Seebold, executive director. “We organize a book drive for our Family Strengthening families a few times a year, and this would be a great addition to those events and to add to our children’s library.”

Three 2021 International Awards for Children’s Fiction

Publishers Weekly named the book an “Editor’s Pick for a Book of Outstanding Quality.” The review mentioned “vivid prose” and “imaginative tapestry that is Melody’s magical adventure.”

Kirkus Reviews reviewed the book as “a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

The book won international writing awards for children’s fiction from New York City Big Book Award, the Moonbeam Book Awards, and from the Independent Press Book Awards.

The book is illustrated by Idaho illustrator Caroline Zina. The paperback was published by Brown Books Kids. The book is a beginning chapter book for early readers and is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. The author is available to speak at read at area schools and civic organizations.

The Publisher’s Weekly review concluded: “This charming flight of fancy with an equally charming protagonist will delight readers who want to be both educated and entertained.”

 

 

(Illustrations have copyright protection)

Filed Under: blog, books Tagged With: #3Dprinter, #amwriting, #Down Syndrome, #Family Advocates, #Kirkus Reviews, #Publishers Weekly, children's fiction, Storytelling

“Melody” is a Global Winner for Children’s Fiction

October 6, 2021 By Elaine Ambrose

 

Today the winners of the 2021 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards were announced. Idaho Author Elaine Ambrose won her 10th global writing award in six years. Her third children’s book, Melody’s Magical Flying Machine, won the Silver Medal for Juvenile Fiction – Early Reader/First Chapter Books. The delightful story features a 10-year-old girl who loves to tell stories and dreams of adventure. She also has Down syndrome. With the assistance of a talking bird, she uses a 3D printer to create a flying machine. Supporting characters include a little brother who tells knock-knock jokes. To accompany the book, two toys were designed and created by a 3D manufacturing company in Nampa.

According to Jenkins Group, sponsor and organizer of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards program, the awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators and to celebrate children’s books and life-long reading. Medalists were chosen from nearly 1,500 total entries that came from children’s book authors, illustrators, and publishers from around the world.

Creating books that inspire children to read, to learn, and to dream is an extremely important task, and these awards were conceived to reward those efforts. Each year’s entries are judged by expert panels of youth educators, students, librarians, booksellers, and book reviewers of all ages. Award recipients receive gold, silver, and bronze medals with stickers depicting a mother and child reading and silhouetted by a full moon.

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook read by the author. The chapter book was illustrated by Idaho illustrator Caroline Zina and published by Brown Books Kids. Earlier this year, the book won Distinguished Favorite from the Independent Press Award program.  Ambrose donates copies of the book and 3D toys to area charities. This is the second Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Ambrose. The Magic Potato won the Silver Medal in 2018.

Six books by Ambrose were published in six years and have won 10 global writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books.

Three Award-Winning Children’s Books. 

  • Melody’s Magical Flying Machine 
    • 2021 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award – Silver Medal
    • 2021 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Award Winner for Children’s Fiction
  • Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories
    • 2017 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Winner for Children’s Fiction
  • The Magic Potato – La Papa Mágica
    • 2018 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award – Silver Medal for Bilingual Children’s Fiction

Two Award-winning Humor Books! 

  • Midlife Happy Hour – Our Reward for Surviving Careers, Kids, and Chaos
    • 2016 INDIES Finalist for “Book of the Year for Humor”
    • 2016 Winner of Distinguished Favorite for Humor from Independent Press Awards
    • 2016 Winner of Gold Medal for Midlife from Independent Press Awards
  • Midlife Cabernet – Life, Love, & Laughter after 50
    • 2015 Winner of Independent Publishers Silver Medal for Humor
    • (Publishers Weekly reviewed as “Laugh-out-loud funny!”)

Two Awards for Memoir

  • Frozen Dinners – A Memoir of a Fractured Family
    • 2019 Winner of “Distinguished Favorite” for Memoir from Independent Press Award
    • 2018 Winner of New York City Big Book Award for Memoir

Author’s Shameless Marketing Plug: Don’t wait on the predicted backlog of holiday and Christmas supplies and gifts. Books can be ordered now through independent book stores, online, or from the author.

 

Filed Under: blog, books, events Tagged With: #amwriting, #bookaward, #Down Syndrome, #fairytale, #Independent Press Award, #KNOWwomen, #Moonbeam Children's Book Award, bestselling, entrepreneur, storyteller

RUPTURE – A Short Story in Five Scenes

July 9, 2021 By Elaine Ambrose

1.

Julia was ten years old when her mother smacked her over the head with a tube of Pillsbury refrigerator biscuits. The can ruptured and eight Southern Homestyle clumps of molded dough wiggled from her brown hair onto the floor.

“Aha!” exclaimed her mother as she picked up the dough and arranged the raw biscuits on a cookie sheet. “That’s how you open these pesky cans.”

Helen had followed directions on the package, removed the label, and pressed the appropriate line with a spoon. Nothing happened. She twisted, pulled, added colorful language, and slammed the cardboard roll onto the counter. The stubborn tube refused to break.

With incredible bad timing, Julia happened to run into the kitchen and demand something to eat. That’s when her resourceful mother decided Julia’s head presented the perfect solution to the family’s dinnertime dilemma.

“Ouch!” yelled Julia, rubbing her head. “Why did you do that?”

“So you’ll have something to eat,” her mother responded as she slid the pan into the oven. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

Helen glanced in the mirror to straighten her skirt and smooth her frizzy blonde hair.

Julia made a mental note never again to demand food, especially from her mother. She knew none of her friends had mothers who would smack them in the head with a can of dough. They were lucky.

2. 

Dinner commenced when her dad Hank, a big man with gnarled hands, and her two older brothers James and Teddy, skinny boys with shaggy brown hair and freckles, tumbled into the kitchen after working all day on the farm. After a quick wash in the kitchen sink, they sat down as Julia’s mother scurried to bring a platter of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a bowl of green bean casserole, and a basket of biscuits with butter.

“These biscuits aren’t homemade,” mumbled Hank, washing down the warm bread with a large glass of milk.

“Didn’t have time to bake from scratch today,” Helen said, trying not to sound defensive. “The hose in the garden ruptured and almost ruined my carrots. I had to repair the hose and replant some vegetables.”

Hank grunted, so James and Teddy grunted, too. Julia watched in silence as the family finished the meal, all of them sopping the potatoes with the biscuits. Her head still hurt.

After dinner, Helen and Julia remained in the kitchen to wash the dishes while her father and brothers retired to sit outside on the porch. Julia could see a dim red glow as her father took a drag on his cigarette, followed by the usual coughing and spitting.

“Why does he still smoke?” Julia asked, stacking a dish in the drainer.

“He’ll cut back once the harvest is finished,” Helen replied. “You know it’s a stressful time.”

“I’m having a stressful time, and I don’t smoke,” Julia said. “I’d rather kick something or holler outside. Maybe I could smack someone with a can of biscuits.”

Julia glanced to her side and noticed her mother biting her lip.

“Someday you’ll be blessed with a family, and you’ll understand,” Helen said with a tone of voice more weary than usual. “I’m sorry about your head. But it came in handy.”

They both laughed and finished the dishes.

3.

The next morning, Hank pounded on Julia’s bedroom door. “Get up,” he called. “We need your help today to finish the potato harvest.”

Julia pulled on her work clothes and boots and joined the family in the kitchen. Breakfast was simple: hotcakes and bacon. In the hurry to go to work, James knocked the plastic syrup bottle onto the floor, and Teddy accidentally stopped on it. The bottle ruptured and a gooey mess spread across the room.

“Out!” ordered Helen as she reached for towels to clean the syrup. Julia followed her father and brothers outside to the pickup truck. She glanced back at her mother on her knees wiping the floor. Julia decided she might not want to be blessed with a family.

4.

They worked all day bringing in the last load of potatoes from the back 40 acres. Julia stood on the harvester pulling out weeds while James drove the truck. Her dad and Teddy rode beside the truck to collect the potatoes as they tumbled over the conveyor belt. Twilight cast long shadows over the cellar as Hank shoveled the final pile of dirty potatoes.

Suddenly Hank stopped, clutched his chest, and dropped to the ground. His three children screamed at him to get up, but he wouldn’t move. James ran to the house for his mother. She quickly called for an ambulance and ran to the field with water and a blanket.

Teddy sat on the ground, clutching his knees and rocking. Julia held her father’s large, weathered hand and watched as his chest heaved in spasms until it stopped moving. A deep sigh came from his mouth, and he was gone. She let go of his hand when the paramedics wheeled him away to the ambulance.

“He suffered a ruptured abdominal aneurysm,” the doctor explained later at the hospital. “At least he went quickly. A rupture of this type is common among smokers.”

Helen and her children drove home in silence. Friends and other family members arrived and filled the house with tearful stories, mugs of coffee, and plates of pie. Julia escaped to her room and opened her journal.

“My dad died,” she wrote. “I don’t know how to feel. I hope I remember the sound of his voice.”

5.

A few years later, James left for trade school and Teddy joined the Army. Helen sold the farm and moved into town to work at the library. After graduating from high school, Julia worked for a local veterinarian and saved money to buy a used car. It was a blue Toyota with one red door.

Her mother was sitting on the porch when Julia drove up in the car.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“You’re breaking my heart,” Helen said. “I feel like life has ruptured me into shattered pieces that can’t be mended.”

Julia sat beside her mother. She could stay, but there was no future in the small farming community. In the distance, a mourning dove cooed a simple solo.

“I’ll always carry your strength and goodness,” Julia said. “But I want and need a chance to see what is beyond this place, and I want to go where the road takes me.”

Julia noticed her mother’s hair had become gray and brittle, her hands rippled with veins, and her eyes were tired. Julia’s heart softened.

“Give me your blessing, Mama.”

Helen patted her daughter’s hand. “Go tomorrow,” she said. “You have my blessing, but don’t forget me.”

The next morning, Julia backed the Toyota out of the driveway. Helen stood at the door and waved until the car was out of view. She whispered, “I want to go with you.” Julia didn’t hear her mother’s plea as she turned up the music on the car radio and accelerated toward the freeway.

 

©Elaine Ambrose

(Rejected submission for The Cabin’s anthology, Rupture: Writers in the Attic.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #amwriting, #Cabin Literary Center, #rejection, #short story, anthology, storyteller

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