I think every writer enjoys a book signing. We hopefully sell books, but at a book signing we also can talk to our readers, and I love to talk. On December 5^th from noon until 4PM I will be signing my books at Youngsville Tractor Supply Company. This book signing is special because it will benefit The 1 in 8 Foundation, which helps raise money to fund mammograms for women who could not otherwise afford it.

Tamara Winkel, director of equestrian events for The 1 in 8 Foundation, says, “We help women through early detection. Our primary thrust is funding mammograms for those who cannot otherwise afford them, but we also provide education about breast cancer and foster grassroots involvement in breast cancer awareness organizations. We do not have a large overhead like many breast cancer organizations, thereby allowing us to give far more to women.”

Tammy, as her friends know her, is also a horse owner and riding instructor. She and I connected when I was writing The Book of Miniature Horses in 2004. Tammy’s mini, Rambo, is pictured in the book along with the story of how Tammy rescued the little horse and turned him into a first rate show horse.

Tammy has been able to turn her love for horses into a way to raise money and awareness of breast cancer through the 1 in 8 Foundation, and I am happy to be able to help.

Through “Horse Power”, the name of the equestrian division, Tammy has events planned in North and South Carolina including a benefit trail ride in Myrtle Beach in February, to raise funds and awareness for the foundation. She looks forward to planning more horse events throughout the country. If you have an idea for an equine event and want to help with the charity you can contact Tammy at littlewink@gmail.com.

In addition to the book signing the event will include pork and chicken plates, live bluegrass music by Sourwood Mountain Band, and Santa, who has promised to stop by dressed in his Western garb to pose for photos with the horses and mules, face painting, a silent auction and other activities are also planned.

Yep, I said horses and mules will be joining me at this festive book signing. Sadie Mae, the cover mule of my latest release, The Book of Mules, will greet visitors and add her own signature to the book. In addition, Rocky the Wonder Mule and winner of the American Top Horse Idol Award will perform tricks. Rambo, Tammy’s award winning Miniature Horse, who is featured in The Book of Miniature Horses, will be on hand as well as a Draft horse to represent The Book of Draft Horses. In addition to my non-fiction horse books I will be signing copies of her popular children’s historical fiction books, Pale as the Moon and An Independent Spirit. These books are set on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and inspired by the wild ponies that live there. A portion of all of the book sales will be donated to the 1 in 8 Foundation. Proceeds from this event will go back into the 1 and 8 Foundation and the local community to help provide women with free mammograms.

What is the 1 in 8 foundation All About?

In 1998, 1 in 8 President and CEO, Ken Vrana, created Caitlin Productions. Inc., a non-profit documentary film company. Of the many films that Caitlin Productions produced, “Snow Angels,” probably received the most attention. It followed three women, through a year of their lives, all of whom had breast cancer.  When the film was completed Sir Paul McCartney offered the use of his music for the sound track and shortly thereafter, Ken was invited to work for The Garland Appeal. It was a the breast cancer charity that had been created to honor the life and work of Linda Eastman McCartney, Sir Paul’s late wife who had passed away from breast cancer.

For the next 4 years Ken traveled the United States creating fund raising events for the Garland Appeal and then in 2002, inherited the foundation when the Garland closed. While Ken’s new breast cancer charity continued for a time, using the Caitlin name it soon became known to every as the 1 in 8 Foundation. That number representing the fact that one out of every eight women in the country will be touched by breast cancer during their lifetimes.

As a 501-C3 Non Profit, the 1 in8 immediately began to produce fundraising events, primarily focusing on the motorcycle community. Soon however, with Ken’s extensive and lifelong involvement with all motorsports, the 1 in 8 grew to encompass everything from drag racing to Champ Car. The 1 in 8 grew rapidly, nearly doubling the number of events they did every year, and in October of 2007, it was named the fastest growing motor sports charity in the world. While Ken’s primary focus was raising money through exclusively motor sports related organizations, he soon realized that there were many people who wanted to help out who had no interest or knowledge of motor sports. In 2004 he created a second arm of the organization, called The 1 in 8 Foundation. Learn more by visiting the website www.1in8foundation.org.