Meet our featured author, Mandy R. Cornelius, a former educator, children’s book author, and unexpected goat lover who discovered her passion for storytelling after moving to a 51-acre farm in Northeast Florida with her husband. Surrounded by a herd of goats and armed with little more than curiosity and a copy of Goats for Dummies, Mandy quickly found inspiration in Sugarhead, a tiny blind goat with a big personality and even bigger determination.
Get to know Mandy and her book titled, “Sugarhead and the Great Goat Island Escape, Book One in the Adventures of Sugarhead Series”, a heartfelt story with valuable life lessons, aiming to inspire children of all abilities to lead, persevere, and celebrate their differences.
L Magazine: Is this your first book?
Mandy: Yes, it is my first book.
L Magazine: What inspired you to write Sugarhead and the Great Goat Island Escape?
Mandy: My husband and I moved to Northeast Florida onto fifty-one acres of wooded land with two overgrown ponds and a beautiful vision. He grew up on a farm. I didn’t. So when he brought home a herd of goats to help clear the land, I quickly jumped on Amazon and ordered “Goats for Dummies” and began learning. Then came Sugarhead, a tiny blind goat who, against all odds, not only survived but thrived. Little Miss Sugarhead became the leader of our herd, despite her visual impairment. As a former teacher, I knew that children of all abilities would benefit from Sugarhead’s story and all the antics of our herd. So, I decided to begin writing stories that not only showed the extraordinary drive of Sugarhead but also demonstrated lessons in teamwork and mutual respect. I hope that children and parents will be able to enjoy the books, and that teachers can utilize its lessons in their classrooms.
L Magazine: What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
Mandy: I would love for people to share this book with children who need to experience a character with similar characteristics as themselves. A character who leads with strength despite her challenges. My hope is that kids feel empowered and encouraged that they can be successful and celebrate one another.
L Magazine: Where can readers find Sugarhead and the Great Goat Island Escape?
Mandy: The book is available on Amazon and also through the link in my Instagram bio @mc2.ranch
L Magazine: What advice do you have for aspiring writers who may be scared to start?
Mandy: Putting something out into the world that you have created, whether it be a story, poetry, a painting, or anything else, can be overwhelming and make you feel venerable. It is also the very moment that you take a step back and ask yourself why you created it. Was it to tell a valuable story that could help others? Was it to heal an emotional wound? Was it to make a statement? And if your answer can be of benefit to someone in this world, then that becomes your focus, and you go for it! Share your talent with the world and see where it lands, who it can help, and what it can improve.
L Magazine: Now, a few fun questions! If you had to pick a lipstick or lip balm color, what would it be and why?
Mandy: Since I’m the one who wears lipstick while farming, I will say my go-to shade of Estee Lauder Rose Tea
L Magazine: If you were to be lost in a bookstore, in what genre would you be found?
Mandy: In the cookbook section, no doubt.
L Magazine: What else would you like the audience to know about you and your book?
Mandy: Be sure to follow my Instagram page and Amazon to be the first to know when the second book in the series comes out!
Through the unforgettable character of Sugarhead and the adventures still to come, Mandy invites readers to see the beauty in resilience, the power of inclusion, and the joy of embracing who you are.
Be sure to connect with Mandy through her Instagram @mc2.ranch and follow along as the Adventures of Sugarhead series continues.
