#67 - Susan Friedland: Misty, Marguerite, and the Magic of a Great Horse Story

Susan Friedland is a former middle school English teacher turned equestrian author based outside Chicago, Illinois. She traded the classroom for the page and has since written four books, including her latest, Marguerite, Misty, and Me, a deep dive into the life of beloved children's author Marguerite Henry.

A lifelong horse-obsessed kid who grew up borrowing horses in Wayne, Illinois, Susan eventually found her way to fox hunting, polo lessons, and the wild pony swim at Chincoteague Island, all while building a writing career that blends her love of horses, history, and storytelling.

What we talked about:

• The real story behind Misty of Chincoteague: wild pony swims, saltwater cowboys, and the tiny Virginia island that inspired one of the most beloved horse books of all time
• How Marguerite Henry went from a city woman with no horse experience to the author of millions of copies across multiple languages, including a Newbery Medal winner
• What it actually takes to write a book about a beloved figure and why Susan says it's "not for the faint of heart"
• The hero's journey hiding inside every great horse story, and why that's probably why these books still hit the way they do
• Why traditional publishers keep passing on horse books, and why Susan (and the numbers) think they're wrong

Susan's story is proof that the path to your dream career doesn't have to be a straight line. It can look like a fox hunting trail through the California hills, a trip to a Virginia island, and an attic full of letters written to a pony. If you've ever felt the pull of a horse book as a kid, this one will take you right back.

Follow Susan on Instagram: @saddleseekshorses

Subscribe and follow @horsepeoplepodcast for more cross-discipline content and stories.