WHO AM I?
I am Annie Cook, and I write fiction novels aimed largely towards older women (45+)who are dealing with life-altering issues such as divorce, widowhood, menopause, redundancy, family estrangement. However, my novels contain characters of both genders and all ages, so they are suitable for anyone to read. They are stories of hope and healing, and recovering from trauma "with the help of a little bit of love and magic."
HOW DID I GET HERE?
I only published my first novel in 2023 (at the age of 63!) after deciding to take a chance on seeing if anyone would like what I write. I hadn't found many light-hearted novels for women my age at the time, and so I wrote 'a' book, that somehow has now morphed into a series of eight! I am having tremendous fun with new and recurring characters, and overlapping stories, in the Teapot Cottage Tales, which are set in a ficional town in the Lake District of England, and based around a'magical' little holiday house where peoeel are drawn who are recovering from life-changing traumas. They are unwittingly drawn to the cottage and, while they are there, the unique healing energy within the cottage walls enables them to rebuild their lives in all kinds of different and unforeseen ways.
WHY IS THIS FUNDRAISER IMPORTANT TO ME?
I have readers in the USA and I would love to reach more of them, and share ideas and inspiration with other authors across the pond. There is nothing like being there, in an environment where people who share your passion all congregate. The idea of being there is so exciting to me, but as yet I am all alone with my work, since I have really only just started, and I am unable to finance the trip unaided.
WHY DO I THINK I DESERVE TO GO?
I'd like to be an 'ambassador' for older women who are maybe trying to find the courage to write, and for those who don;t feel very heard in society anymore, becasue of their age. I do podcasting aimed at women who are perhaps struggling with big issues that affect them, within their own networks of frienes, colleagues and family, and in wider society. My podcasts cover topics like feeling invisible in society as ageing women, finding it hard to find 'me-time,' or juggle busy lives, or relate well to the people in their orbit. I want to reach more people, and being listed at the book fair will help meraise my profile and enable me to connect on a wider level with women who appreciate the kind of suppport I can offer.
I need to get to pay for my trade stand, get myself to L.A. and find somewhere to stay for a few days. The crowdfunding amount I am hopng to achieve will enable me to do all that. I would love to make the dream happen. If I can't, it will simply remain a dream.