By Maggie-the-Author

If it’s possible to be complex and simple simultaneously, that is my friend Maggie Stuckey. She has more layers to her than a Walla Walla Sweet but can answer the most complicated question so directly and so clearly that you instantly feel like an expert yourself. You’ll see exactly what I mean if you go to her new website at www.maggiestuckey.com.

Right off the bat you’ll find that the site is divided into two important parts – Maggie-the-Editor and Maggie-the-Author. Each side of that homepage invites you to explore Maggie’s world and, I guarantee that the more you look, the more you’ll learn and the more fun you’ll have.

But wait! Before you click on anything, read Maggie’s first seven words: “Welcome! I’m so pleased you dropped by!” They sum up her warmth, her openness and her genuine interest in us – her readers and her friends. If you’ve not yet met Maggie in person, you’ll feel like you want to before you read very much further.

By Maggie-the-Editor

I chose to go first to the “Editor” side of Maggie’s site. In my simplistic way, I’ve always thought of her as wearing two hats – one labeled “Author” and the other labeled “Ghostwriter.” But, ghostwriter wasn’t a clicking choice so I wanted to see if the word “ghostwriter” was even mentioned at all. Yes, it is – mentioned and explained. But also clearly explained are the terms “book doctor,” “developmental editor,” and “collaborator.”  Maggie has been all three.  And more!

Her Q&A section deals with the kinds of books she works on, the writing process, financial arrangements, and even how this type of work is found. Her candid answers will be illuminating to writers as well as to readers – as in how do all those celebrities and experts in specific fields also have the ability to write best-selling books? Somewhere behind the scenes they must have a Maggie.

Maggie Stuckey

On the Author side of the site, Maggie talks about the books she has written herself – books on gardening, cooking and entertaining. Take a look at the titles and you may be very surprised to find that you have some of the books she has written on your very own bookshelves. Her most recent book is Soup Night about which Maggie writes: Along with 140 delicious recipes it’s filled with stories of neighbors around the country who have built a genuine community through the simple act of getting together regularly for a soup supper.

On both the Maggie-the-Editor and Maggie-the-Author sides of her site Maggie includes a “Tip of the Week.” I think those are my favorite sections. Or maybe my favorite part was seeing familiar names such as Warren Buffet and Tim Allen on book jackets and wondering if Maggie interacted with them directly or maybe not at all. Or is it the bright red, yellow, and blue color theme that pulls me into the site?

www.maggiestuckey.com is all super and informative and cheerful – just like Maggie is.  See for yourself! And then have a bowl of soup from one of her recipes in Soup Night. At our house last night it was African Peanut Soup.

Oh yes… and be sure to tell her what you think of her site on the ‘Send Maggie A Message Page!’ “Especially if you see any glitches,” she says. It’s early days and there might be bugs to work out…