Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author

Author Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo and PIE: The Old Brown Horse himself!:

“After we got the horses, I moved on to therapeutic horseback riding for special needs children.”

Read the reviews!

Read the reviews!

Invaluable lessons from PIE: An Old Brown Horse (That Knows What He is Doing) and author Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo:

“There is nothing like seeing the bond of child and horse. These magnificent beasts can be so gentle and protective. The unconditional love and trust they show is unfathomable.” Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo

“This is a feel good story about life, second chances and giving back.”  January Magazine

“[Pie} became the most amazing mentor and therapy horse.” The Wall Street Journal

“Writing a story in the first person is not uncommon, but when that first person is a horse, well, I really wasn’t expecting it to actually be entertaining to say the least… What a pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable story this is.” Colleen Bratley

Welcome to 4writersandreaders, Kandy. It’s great to have you with us today. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a seventh generation Texan with a brick at the cowgirl museum. I have always loved animals. I have worked in alternative education for over twenty years after a short career in the justice system. My formal training is in criminology so it works well with the job that I do during the day. My nights and weekends are taken up pretty much with working with animals. I have trained dogs for over twenty-five years at several major institutions. Working with horse, dog, cat, and snake rescues is something I do because I feel I need to give back. Some of time has been spent training and working with Therapy Dogs. After we got the horses, I moved on to therapeutic horseback riding for special needs children.

Tell us about your family?
I am married to a wonderful man who not only puts up with, but helps with all my projects. We have been married for twenty-three years and have one daughter. Our daughter is grown and is trying to find her way in life. She is very artistic. It will be interesting to see where her path leads her.

We have two dogs, a German Shepherd and an Australian Shepherd that share our house with three cats. They are our four children now that our daughter has moved out. My last snake unfortunately died a couple of months ago.

 How long have you been writing? What type of writing do you normally do?
I have been writing off and on my whole life. I have just never really done anything with it. I have always had to write and create things to keep my students interested.

Can you give us a brief synopsis of your book?
Briefly, this is a book about an old rescued ranch horse and all of the amazing things he has done since he was rescued. The book was basically written and told by him. I just gave him some minor help with the computer. The most amazing part of it all, is that Pie is still with us at the ripe old age of 38!

What prompted you to write a story about PIE?
After seeing all the wonderful things Pie has done over the years, I felt that his story needed to be shared. There is nothing like seeing the bond of child and horse. These magnificent beasts can be so gentle and protective. The unconditional love and trust they show is unfathomable. The strength and security they impart to their riders is something to behold. Pie, has done this over and over and over again through the years. I know he didn’t serve in a war, or win any awards, but he has done more than his share as a merchant of hope for those that needed help.

Do you have a favorite line from PIE: An Old Brown Horse? 

That would have to be the one from my husband in the forward: “Stop messing with the pretty ones and go get an old brown horse that knows what he is doing.”

Who is your favorite character and why?
Hands down, it would have to be Pie. His descriptions and insights are spot on. Sometimes they are funny and sometimes they are just downright snarky. Pie’s personality definitely shows through in his observations.

Watch PIE’s video and find out more about how a once broken horse finds new meaning in life and how he help special needs kids do the same:

I just love PIE’s video, Kandy. What was the hardest part about writing your book?
The hardest part I think came after writing the book. That would be trying to figure out how to promote it. I had some serious problems when the book first came out. As it turns out there was a misunderstanding and the book was printed without the final edit. Ouch! That has since been fixed. We pulled the book from production and edited it. Unfortunately, I was not able to pull the sample from Book Daily, so it continues to be a constant reminder of the problem. What is out there now no longer has the edit issues. Some of the earlier reviews reflect those problems. I would just like to tell everyone that bought an unedited book if you will contact me, I will be happy to replace it.

“The book itself was already in my head and came out on the paper with no hesitation. I think I was temporarily possessed by Pie.”

Do you do anything besides write?
I have a day job working with behavior challenged junior high students. I keep a barn full of horses. We go horseback riding, walk and train the dogs, and spend time with my family. My daughter has moved out, but still lives close. She and I spend time together doing things with the horses. My husband and I spend time touring in his 45^th anniversary Camaro.

How is the book doing?   I am really happy at how well my little book is doing. He has been mentioned in January Magazine and in the Wall Street Journal. Recently PIE received a five-star review from Reader’s Favorites and also earned a Silver Star for his cover. 

Where can our readers get a copy of ‘PIE: An Old Brown Horse’? http://www.amazon.com/Pie-Brown-Horse-Knows-ebook/dp/B00A7ZMHKE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372112877&sr=1-1&keywords=PIE%3A+The+Old+Brown+Horse PIE: An Old Brown Horse is also available on Barnes & Noble.

Be sure to get your copy today!

Well, Kandy, now that PIE is off and running, what’s next for you?
I’m not sure yet, but I think I feel another book possession coming on…

I can hardly wait to find out about your next inspiration. Thanks for joining us at 4writersandreaders. It has been great learning more about you and PIE. What a great success story for PIE and how therapeutic horseback riding is helping special needs children. ~ Bette A. Stevens

Find out more about author Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo and her adventures with PIE at http://www.kandykayscaramuzzo.com/

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