Conversations with Abbie Britton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbie Britton.

Abbie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m currently working on a mystery series called Mother Wolfe Tales. This is the first ever detective/suspense book series which shines a spotlight on the global problem of animal cruelty. It centers on the FBI”s establishment of The Animal Cruelty Database in January 2016. The ACD uses the assumption that if a person is harming animals, they are likely to harm humans as well. Mother Wolfe Tales has a fictional female former FBI profiler from the ACD who is tracking down a serial killer who is murdering people who abuse animals. There are over 2 billion animal lovers and caretakers on the planet who are the audience for this 5 book series. One of the reasons I’ve written this book is to give back to all the animals who have saved me with their comfort during challenging times in my life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I was in undergrad at Barnard College/Columbia University majoring in writing, one of the most important things my thesis professor said to me was “every writer needs a day job.” And so I set to and went to Katie Gibbs secretarial school. My first job was at Bantam Books as executive assistant to Stuart Applebaum who was head of publicity. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned about publishing, had health insurance so I could pay for therapy, and woke up early every morning to write and also run with my dog Marley on Riverside Drive. I’ve always kept to this routine, but now my day job is teaching yoga and movement. I actually went to graduate school when I was 60 (I’m now 70) to become a yoga therapist. This was important because unfortunately yoga teachers are a dime a dozen all over the world because it is so easy to do a 200 hr. teacher training. Over the years teaching yoga became much more of a day job to support my writing, it became a commitment to serve and I’ve become one of the few master teachers in this country in every lineage except Ashtanga.

This may not seem like an obstacle to my book publishing endeavors, yet it takes time, sensitivity and energy to live in service of the well being of humans. I get up at 4 am every morning to write, and work on the business of my books. The rest of my day is spent as a somatic therapist. Meaning I do therapeutic work based on what I see in people’s bodies as opposed to listening to their stories. People’s bodies tell a clearer story about their challenges than their verbal stories.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have the most satisfying time combining my understanding of how healing happens and embedding this in my work as a published writer. I’ve recently published a book called 11th Hour, which is about daily yogic practices to take us out of chaos and into wholeness. Three years ago I published a book with my mother, the academy award winning actress, Estelle Parsons, about her journey through life, called Uncharted Territory. Both of these books are available on Amazon.

Mother Wolfe Tales is an amazing suspense series that explores the important relationship between animals and humans. The first book is about dog rescue, the second about the plight of wolves, the third about the problem of elephants being abused for spiritual reasons. Mother Wolfe Tales is very much about treating all sentient beings with respect. It’s been fascinating researching this series because there are actually laws established regarding animal rights. Global Animal Law, Animal Cruelty Database and ARK are phenomenal agencies and services. The ARK at JFK provides a vital, specialized hub that ensures the well-being of thousands of traveling animals each year, acting as a central resource for airlines, pet owners, and government agencies.

It’s been quite an experience doing the in depth research for Mother Wolfe Tales. My plan is to market this book through the massive network of these facilities, conferences, rescues and humans who believe in the protection and care of all animals.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my family both human and animal. My sons Eben and Augustus, both writers of phenomenal stature, my exceptional daughter in law Kat, and my hugely shiny and amazing grand daughter Sandy, her mother Brit. My mother matters profoundly to me, she is 98 and still working at the actor’s studio and my twin sister Martha, co director of the Actors Studio and my nephew April. Our family dogs: Luna, Ruby, Bodhi and Floki. My rescued turtles Big Daddy and Gita and my rescued 3 toed tortoises Anna and Elsa. This tribe is my inspiration.

What matters to me is that both humans and animals are treated well and kindly and as the unique form of life they are.
What matters most to me is truth and relationship. What matters to me is that I can give back to my readers and students some of the stuff I’ve been given by my teachers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brittonrx.com
• Instagram: 11thstepyoga
• Facebook: Abbie Britton