Toddie Downs is a Snoqualmie resident, part-time pediatric speech therapist, part-time freelance editor and full-time mom. And as of last month, she’s added published author to that list.
Toddie’s first novel, Summer Melody, was just released by Booktrope; the same local publishing company that helped launch local author, Tess Hardwick’s writing career. Booktrope focuses on utilizing the power of online reading, social media, book sharing and the growing popularity of the eBook.
Summer Melody is a family drama about three generations of women who are all taking care of someone who can’t communicate with them effectively, either due to dementia or autism, and how the family support can get you through pretty much anything.
Toddie says she wrote Summer Melody several years ago, finishing it on Sunday afternoons while sitting in one of the booths at Bibo Coffee, which after three ownership changes is now SnoValley Coffee.
You might say fate landed Toddie at Booktrope. Her son happened to be in the same elementary school class as Tess Hardwick’s daughter. The two moms met. At the time Booktrope had just published Tess’s book, Riversong. Tess encouraged Toddie to submit her novel to Booktrope and the rest is history. Toddie calls it “the small world happy ending.”
If you love books, want a copy of Summer Melody and are interested in meeting Toddie, another of her friends, Rachelle Armstrong, owner of The Bindlestick Coffee and Beer House, is hosting a book launch tomorrow, November 3rd, from 4 – 7:30PM. The Bindlestick is located on Railroad Ave in historic Snoqualmie, right across from the railway depot.
Toddie says there will be books, food and she’s even trying to drum up prizes to raffle off from local artisans.
