Virginia equine author

Meet Gigi Amateau

What has inspired you to write horse books?

Our appaloosa, Albert, my daughter, Judith, and the incredible natural beauty of Rockbridge County, Virginia, inspire me to write fiction for children. That mysterious way horses know exactly what people need really inspires me, too.

Gigi and Albert Gigi and Albert

Name: Gigi Amateau.

Born: Ripley, Miss.        

Current residence: Richmond.

Family: Husband, Bubba, and one daughter, Judith.

Pets: Biscuit, a Redbone Coonhound.

Horses: Albert, a cremello appaloosa.

Occupation: Children’s author.

What is your “claim to fame”? My family would probably say my claim to fame is either red velvet cupcakes or always telling them to “dig deep.”  I also wrote the children’s book “Chancey of the Maury River,” published by Candlewick Press.

Hobbies: We love to vacation and ride in Rockbridge County when we can. I enjoy yoga, too, and Albert is a good steady guy to practice yoga with and on. I also enjoy it when I have time to garden, walk, read, and cook.

Philosophy on life:  Every day holds plenty to give thanks for and there is no worry that some time with nature won’t relieve.

Best horse advice ever received: When we first added Albert to our family (about 10 years ago), he didn’t like me very much. That’s the truth. A friend told me to let the horse be himself and to love him for the animal that he is, not for my idea of what he should be. She said that once he understood that he could trust me that I would see all of my efforts and commitment to him returned double or triple fold. She was exactly right.  

What would people be surprised to learn about you? People always seem surprised that I have tattoos. Tatts are like garden statuary though; I mean can you imagine having only one little garden gnome? No, a garden needs lots of little ornaments. This seems to be the case with tattoos, too. They like company, I guess.

Where can people find/buy your books? The best place to buy my books is from your local independent bookstore. You will also find my books online, in libraries, and bookstore chains.

Is there anything you would like to add? A few years ago, Albert had surgery to remove his left eye because of cancer. I think it was during his recovery that he finally understood that I wasn’t going anywhere and he really started to let me care for him. While I love riding when I can, what I really love is knowing that friendship can exist between people and animals. Albert is a true friend. I 100 percent believe that he has ministered to me, my daughter, and so many children and adults through his gentle presence, his courage in fighting his cancer, and the way he is always just himself—brave, reliable, steady.