Illinois Authors

Saddle Seeks Horse Press 2018

When a single woman searches for her knight in shining armor, sometimes the horse is the better option. When Susan was a girl of 10, she thought it would be perfect if only she could marry a horse. Two decades later, she sometimes feared she might have to marry a horse as there seemed to be no suitable human alternative. Trot through Horses Adored and Men Endured, and you’ll sneak a neighbor’s Palomino to a horse show, buy a green gelding as a first horse against all conventional advice, and trek across the Irish countryside on a sassy chestnut. Tag along on several cringe-worthy dates starting with food poisoning at prom to the surprise pie fight. Be there when Susan finally falls head over heels with someone tall, dark and handsome—a bay Thoroughbred gelding. If you love heartwarming animal stories and laugh-out-loud tales of bad dates, pick up the memoir Horses Adored and Men Endured right now and gallop away on a horse-loving, awkward dating adventure!

Saddle Seeks Horse Press 2023

Who was Marguerite Henry before she was a famous author? What was her secret for writing unforgettable books? Why was Misty (the book and the real-life pony) so special? Uncover the captivating backstory of Marguerite Henry, author of Misty of Chincoteague and dozens of beloved books about animals in this heartfelt memoir, Marguerite, Misty and Me. Join passionate horse lover Susan Friedland on a cross-country adventure as she delves into the hidden history of Marguerite, the Newbery Medal-winning author and literary legend. From a kayak in the waves off Chincoteague Island and an underground archive in Minnesota, to a dreamlike ride aboard a Chincoteague Pony, Friedland unearths clues while forging deep connections with fellow Misty fans. She even meets some of Marguerite’s friends (and one of her illustrators). Saddle up for an enchanting ride that explores the legacy of Marguerite Henry and celebrates not just Chincoteague Ponies, but horses everywhere, as well as the people who love them. Susan Friedland is just as crazy about horses today as she was loping around her yard on a hobby horse as a child. Susan has been actively blogging on her award-winning blog, saddleseekshorse.com SaddleSeeksHorse.com, since 2013, and she co-hosts the Horse Illustrated Barn Banter Podcast. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, including Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, and Sidelines. When she's not writing or traveling on equestrian adventures, she's trotting around on her off-track Thoroughbred Tiz A Knight in her home state of Illinois, or wintering in Ocala, Florida.

Saddle Seeks Horse Press 2020

Have you or someone you care about recently lost a beloved horse? Are you struggling with how to move forward with a gaping hole in your heart and an empty stall in the barn? Does riding suddenly seem less appealing? In Strands of Hope: How to Grieve the Loss of a Horse, fellow horse lover Susan Friedland shares how she coped following the tragic death of her heart horse DC, and the journey that led her back to the saddle.Award-winning equestrian blogger and author of the memoir Horses Adored and Men Endured, Susan relates lessons learned from her own grieving process and those of five other horse owners who also know the pain. Through personal stories, interviews and practical tips, she offers strands of hope for the bereaved equestrian. In these pages you’ll discover: How to write an equine eulogy The health benefits of shedding tears Creative ways to commemorate the life of a horse What to say (and not say) if your friend has lost a horse Interviews with equestrians who have also experienced tragedies, ranging from losing a foal and saying goodbye to a childhood pony to having to mourn a horse’s early retirement and more. Riding and being with horses can bring you joy again. If you want to trot forward into the future but are feeling sad and stuck, this book is for you! Buy Strands of Hope today to begin the healing journey now.

Saddle Seeks Horse Press 2020

Are you a rider and writer? Do you enjoy stories with horses as the main (mane?) theme? Get your creative juices flowing with this journal of writing prompts for the equestrian. Grab your favorite pen, take a seat and release your ideas, like a horse turned out on a crisp winter morning. With a variety of prompt styles ranging from photo prompts, persuasive topics, fiction starters and more, you will hone your creativity and level up your critical thinking skills. Select prompts provide writing samples if you need a little guidance to unfurl your words on the page. From serious to silly, contemplative to cathartic, the writing prompts crafted by Susan Friedland, a 20-year teaching veteran and author of Horses Adored and Men Endured and Strands of Hope: How to Grieve the Loss of a Horse are designed to let your imagination gallop. Unbridle your creativity by clicking "Buy Now" and get writing!