BizPUBLISHING continued from page 157 “I’m always so amazed with how she comes up with these really encouraging stories,” said Abad, who said Mackey would read her books to her as she worked on them. It’s easy, Mackey said. “Sally does the things I love,” said Mackey, who’s also a former tap dancer. “It’s so easy for me to write about it – it’s my life.” Mackey said her grandfather greatly influenced her. “He was a tough guy,” she said. “He always told me, ‘Don’t let anyone tell you can’t do that.’ That wasn’t something you told little girls back then.” Mackey has carried that message throughout her books, much to readers’ approval. “They love the message,” Mackey said. “If you work hard, you can do anything you want to do. It’s a good message for girls.” Mackey’s books also educate. In the back of the book, there’s a glossary for readers who don’t know horse lingo such as “curry,” “barrel races” and “lope.” Mackey is currently working on “Sally Loves ... Skateboarding.” The topic came about while she was writing the swim book, which stems from Mackey’s love of competing in triathlons, including the Ironman. She said that when she wrote the swim book she stressed the importance of Sally wearing a helmet whenever she rides a bike. When her three grandnephews read an early draft of “Sally Loves ... Horses,” they wondered why that same focus wasn’t on using a helmet when she was riding. Mackey revised the draft to reflect the importance of wearing riding helmets. Later on, the boys had more ideas for Mackey. “The boys were so engaged,” she said. “They said, ‘Maybe Sally wants to skateboard.’ ” Thus, the next topic was born. The boys will be Sally’s best friends in her next book, which Mackey estimates will be out in May. So what will come after skateboarding? Mackey said her next book idea is up in the air, except for one stipulation: “It will have to be something I love.”
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