The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout
On the surface, Ali Stephenson has everything-a thriving career as managing editor at Southern Style Magazine, financial security, and a picturesque life on the Chesapeake Bay. With close friends, daily yoga, and peaceful beach walks, she appears fulfilled. Yet, she's unaware that she's being primed to step into the role of publisher, following in the footsteps of her mentor, Joe Driscoll.
Before that transition, Joe sends Ali to deep South Texas to cover a story on fly fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre. She expects a routine assignment but instead embarks on a journey that forces her to confront the past she has worked so hard to suppress.
Ali has long been drawn to unavailable men, a pattern rooted in childhood trauma-her father's murder of her mother left her to be raised by her grandparents in the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, her path to healing begins when she meets Mama Kate, a fiery lodge owner deeply devoted to the divine feminine. Under Mama Kate's guidance, Ali must face her demons and embrace her inner wisdom.
A feminine counterpart to A River Runs Through It, The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout explores the complexities of human relationships through the lens of saltwater fly fishing and a profound connection to nature.
While at its core a woman's coming-of-age novel, the story resonates with men as well. Through the journeys of Captain Jack Cooper, Ali's fly fishing guide, and Gus Lammons, Mama Kate's steadfast companion, readers witness struggles with trust, love, and the courage to make choices rather than simply react to life's circumstances.
Autorentext
Kathy Sparrow has been captivated by the power of storytelling since childhood, inspired by Marguerite Henry's Chincoteague Pony series and the vibrant tales of the women in her family. This early passion evolved into a lifelong vocation as a writer, educator, and mentor.She began her career as a freelance writer, profiling luminaries like Carolyn Myss, Sesame Street's Kermit Love, New Age Pioneer Stephen Halpern, and The Body Shop founder Anita Roddick. Her academic studies deepened her understanding of narrative's ability to heal and connect, culminating in her thesis, Stories that Heal: Building Cross-Cultural Bridges through Literature.Her work has appeared in publications such as E Magazine, American Fitness, Hudson Valley Magazine, Saltwater Fly Fishing, and others, and has held editorial roles with IDG Press, Master's Press, and the Association for Research and Enlightenment.Kathy's novel The Whispered Teaching of Grandmother Trout was inspired by her experience as a fly fishing lodge owner on the Lower Laguna Madre and hailed as the feminine counterpart to A River Runs Through It. Her memoir, On the Mother Lagoon: Fly Fishing and the Spiritual Journey (Fall 2025) shares her psycho-spiritual experiences as one of the earlier female saltwater fly fishing guides in the U.S.She is co-creator and producer of Stanky & Cece Adventures, a children's book series slated for animation, with titles such as Stanky & Cece: Break the Rules (2022) and Stanky & Cece: Out of Control (2023).As a "Literary Midwife," she mentors writers-ranging from Olympic athletes to visionaries and thought leaders-through every stage of their creative and publishing process. Kathy has led the creation of anthologies including Dr. Deb Sandella's Mind Over Trauma, Karen Rae's Being Brave, and Ignite Your Leadership, by co-authors from Jack Canfield's advanced trainings. Her ghostwriting credits include The Precipice of Life: Leadership and Personal Growth Insights from a Mountaineer's Edge.A university professor, Kathy teaches writing, literature, theatre, creative writing, and marketing for authors at National University, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of Texas-Pan American, plus others.A lifelong learner, her mentors include Jack Canfield, Laurie Seymour, Dr. Deb Sandella, and others. She is currently honing her screenwriting craft.Kathy lives in Toluca Lake, California, with her partner, enjoying yoga, hot indoor cycling, neighborhood walks, and time with family and friends.