Debbie Macomber started writing at 30, a dyslexic mother of four with a high school education. She wrote because she loved telling stories.

Today, Macomber is a New York Times bestselling author with over 170 million books in print, a television series about a fictional small town in Washington State that mirrors her own home town of Port Orchard, and a series of movies to her credit. She also has a couple of plays and potentially even a musical in the works.

The Washington author will visit St. Andrews Village August 3^rd at 10 a.m. for an informal talk. The talk is free and open to the public but space is limited so please RSVP by calling 633-0920.

Through it all, Macomber, who is coming to Maine to visit a long-time friend who lives in the Boothbay area, has maintained the small town, family-friendly sensibilities of the woman who first sat down at a typewriter.

She is a big fan of the Seattle Seahawks – the night before a recent interview she had dinner with Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, whose non-profit foundation she supports – and she sees her many fans as friends.

When they visit, she tries to meet with them at her office. She is also an enthusiastic knitter and her website, debbiemacomber.com, features her favorite knitting projects along with the pattern, needle size and type of yarn used. She also shares her favorite recipes on her website, along with several from readers.

She said she tries to treat her readers the way her father, who had an upholstery business, treated his customers.

“I saw the way he took care of his customers.  They were more than his customers, they were his friends and I want the exact same relationship with readers,” said Macomber.

Despite her success, she has a down-to-earth perspective about her work. She writes happy endings because there is so much negative in the world. A devout Christian, she wants her books to be a blessing.

“My books are not going to change the world, but they are going to help somebody get through chemotherapy,” said Macomber.  “I write because I love it. I am a story teller and every day I thank God that I get to do what I love and there is nothing that gives me more satisfaction.”

For more information about Debbie Macomber, go to debbiemacomber.com. For more information about St. Andrews Village, visit standrewsvillage.com or call Bob Drury at 633-0920.