About

Millie Florence’s earliest memories are of lying under the covers at night, whispering stories to herself long after her parents had told her to go to sleep. She published her first book, ‘Honey Butter’, at age 13 and hasn’t stopped since!

Millie lives in a picturesque blue house in the woods of southern Illinois. She loves adventure, good food, and just about all things yellow.

Read Aloud Revival Podcast | Brave Writer Podcast | Raising Life-Long Learners | Reshelving Alexandria

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be an author.

My earliest memory is of laying under the covers at night, whispering stories to myself long after my parents had told me to go to sleep.

Before I could type, I would dictate my stories to my parents, who transcribed them for me. I read voraciously, told stories to anyone who would listen, and filled notebooks with my ideas. For Christmas one year I received a small battery-powered recorder, which I told stories into until I had filled up its storage.

My childhood in a single photo.

When I was nine years old I decided I was going to publish a book. I had no idea what this meant, or when it would happen, but to me, it was the obvious next step. After all, the point of stories is to share them.

When I was ten I attended my first writing conference, the Illinois Young Authors Conference. There was an author Q&A one night, and I remember looking up at the authors on stage and saying aloud; “One day, I’m going to be up there!”

After a lot of research and writing, I published my debut novel, Honey Butter, at the age of thirteen and I’ve continued to pursue this career ever since.

13-year-old me holding my NaNoWriMo certificate for finishing the first draft of Honey Butter
At the release party for Honey Butter.

My second book, Lydia Green of Mulberry Glen, was published in 2019 when I was fifteen years old. It was around this time that I started speaking and teaching.

Holding Lydia Green of Mulberry Glen
One of my first school visits. It was so much fun!

I spent the next couple years working on various writing projects, and signed with Bandersnatch Books in early 2022 for my third novel The Balter of Ashton Harper, at eighteen years old.

Signing the contract with Bandersnatch!

In March of 2023 I met Sarah Mackenzie by chance in an elevator at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions, and by May I signed with her company, Waxwing Books, to republish Lydia Green of Mulberry Glen under the new title of Beyond Mulberry Glen. I grew up listening to Sarah’s podcast, so this was a dream come true!

Sarah and I at a convention together!
Signing the Waxwing contract!

The Balter of Ashton Harper was published in October of 2023, and Beyond Mulberry Glen will release January 7th, 2025.

My story has only just begun, but I can’t wait to see what the next chapter will bring.