Episode 60: On Developing a Trilogy, Dictation & the Horse's Point Of View with Shane Ledyard (Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast)

Episode 60: Welcome to the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast! In each episode, you’ll hear inspirational stories from horse book authors including writing advice and marketing tips to help you write your own horse book. If you are an author, aspire to be an author, or simply love horse books, then you are in the right place!

In this week's episode, you'll meet Shane Ledyard, the author of the Horse Gone Silent Trilogy. You'll learn ...

• About the real life story (and horse) that led Shane, a rider, trainer, clinician and judge, to write Horse Gone Silent.
  
• How Shane negotiated the learning curve at the beginning of his author career and turned those obstacles into a series of happy accidents.
  
• How he used voice-to-text technology to get words on the page, and why he decided to write from the horse's point of view.
  
• And MUCH more!

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Watch Shane Ledyard's Interview on YouTube!

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Or listen to the audio only version.

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About Shane Ledyard

Shane Ledyard epitomizes the modern American horseman. Raised in horse country in eastern Pennsylvania, he makes his living in the hunter and jumper industry as a rider, trainer, clinician and judge. His writing influences include authors of classical novels such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Frances Hodgson Burnett. He loves spending his free time with his wife Carice and his children, Kevin and Kaydy.

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Shane Ledyard Podcast Interview Excerpt

Carly: You make your living in the hunter and jumper industry as a rider, trainer and judge. Talk to us about your equestrian life today.

Shane: At Ledyard Equestrian, I offer classic American horsemanship for hunter, jumper and equitation riders and their horses. My style is gritty and fun and my experience spans over two decades in equestrian sports. I travel nationwide for clinics sharing a systematic, proven and uplifting style of horsemanship.

I am also a judge offering fair, honest and accurate judging for hunters and equitation for USEF, IHSA, NCAA, IEA, 4-H and schooling horse show venues. The integrity of the sport is of the utmost importance to me.

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Carly: Tell us about your Horse Gone Silent trilogy.

Shane: My goal with Horse Gone Silent was to deliver adventure, drama, and life lessons in a tale that will speak to your heart. In the first book, readers will follow the life of champion show jumping horse Calebo from his sweet youth, to the top of his sport and then to auction where he faces unfathomable depths of despair. Never sure of his ultimate fate, Calebo relies on his faith, family, and friends to give him strength on his incredible journey.

In the second story, sweet Emma Sterling is living a storybook life filled by horses, friends, and her loving parents, Julia and Chase. Then, without warning, young Emma’s heart is shattered when her father returns home from military duty a completely changed person. Emma’s innocence and family’s future are threatened as her mother desperately attempts to save them from a viscous emotional struggle that may destroy them all.

In this seemingly unrelated story to its predecessor, Horse Gone Silent, a thrown away mare named Ophelia, and a mother’s deep faith, are the Sterling family’s only chance to overcome a battle for their lives that they never saw coming.

​Brielle’s Promise brings together the Horse Gone Silent trilogy in the sweetest of ways. Emma Sterling is back, and she brings with her a surprise that shocks everyone that knows her-even Ophelia! This exciting conclusion will satisfy you and warm your heart, as you return to the stable at Hound Hollow and Emma’s hometown, then make an unpredictable stop with new characters.

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Carly: It is said that all stories are partly personal. Is there a personal connection for you in the Horse Gone Silent series?

Shane: Horse Gone Silent is based on a true story.  I had a friend, Laura, and she runs up a really big facility north of me. I'm a horseman by trade. I judge, coach and teach. They had me up to do clinics, and I got to know Laura's horse. He was very special horse. Everyone loved him.

I was teaching on him one day, and when we were done, we just started talking about him. Laura told me his history and it literally sounded like a movie. It was just a remarkable story about this animal. He was a Dutch horse and close to 20 years old.

Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly. It was it was from a really freak thing, and they had to put the horse down. I felt terrible because we bonded over the horse. I went up to offer my condolences and it just came out of my mouth as I was giving her a hug. I said, "I'm going to rewrite this. I'm going to rewrite his ending."

I had remembered everything that she had told me about his history, so I went in the car, did an outline, and went home where I started researching how to write a book. The next thing I knew, I had actually written one.

I didn't expect it to have the success that it did. I wrote it to help a friend during a difficult time, but the reactions I get from the people who read it are so moving. I am inspired to continue writing when they tell me that the story is inspirational to them, so I kept writing and it turned into a trilogy.

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Connect with Shane Ledyard

The Trilogy: 
www.HorseGoneSilent.com
Instagram @horsegonesilent
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HorseGoneSilent

Shane's Equestrian Business:
www.LedyardEquestrian.com 
Instagram @ledyardequestrian
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shaneledyardequestrian

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Books by Shane Ledyard

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thanks for your help keeping this site running!

Other books mentioned in the interview:

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New Equine Author Interviews Each Week!

Make sure you never miss a show by subscribing on YouTube or Apple Podcasts. This podcast is made possible by listeners like you. I appreciate your support! 

​Thank you for joining us this week on the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast I hope you enjoy these Q&A sessions with wonderful equine authors who love all things horses and writing just like me. 

​If you are an author who writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted please let me know. Visit my contact page to fill out a request. I'd be happy to have you on the show, too.

Want a free guide to secrets of horse book authors? Gallop over to https://www.carlykadecreative.com/wisdom.html and join the Equestrian Author Spotlight email list to have the author advice resource delivered instantly to your inbox.

View the Episode Directory

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About Your Host Carly Kade

Carly Kade is an award-winning independent author, horse owner, creativity coach, and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast. She helps fellow writers start, grow, and expand their author careers. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle!

Carly's award-winning In the Reins equestrian romance book series was written with horse lovers in mind, no matter which discipline they ride. The horses are as vital to moving the story forward as the human characters are.

These books are perfect for poolside reading, taking to the beach, or settling down with after a day of horseback riding.

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