Author EJ MacPhee
Most SaddleBrooke residents know me from behind the counter at the SaddleBrooke Gift Shop. What some may not know is that when I’m not ringing up handmade jewelry, greeting cards, or local crafts, I’m usually at my desk spinning tales of magical gnomes, unicorns, and elves.
My pseudonym is EJ MacPhee, and I’m a local author and illustrator with a lifelong love of storytelling. My background is in forestry and design—I even built log homes for a time—but stories have always been where my imagination feels most at home. Kathy and I split our time between the mountains of Colorado and Tucson, but SaddleBrooke is where we spend much of our year. The people, the creativity, and the community spirit here inspire me daily.
Several years ago, I began publishing a series of children’s books centered around a gnome named Mugglywump. He’s curious, mischievous, and often finds himself in bigger adventures than he ever imagined. The stories are aimed at children ages 5 to 10, but I’ve been told that parents and grandparents enjoy them just as much—especially when reading aloud.
This fall, I’ve released four new titles that I’m especially excited about:
• Mugglywump and the Road to Magic: Mugglywump discovers his hat may hold more secrets than he ever dreamed, leading him on a journey toward real wizardry.
• Mugglywump and the Unicorn: A magical unicorn teaches Mugglywump that sometimes it’s better not to know the future, but to make your own way.
• Mugglywump Meets Odie the Innkeeper: A crossover tale that brings together my children’s books with characters from my young adult fantasy world of Armonia.
• The Mugglywump Coloring Book: Featuring characters and scenes from all the stories, this new addition lets children (and grown-ups!) bring their own colors to the adventures.
All of these books, along with the earlier titles in the series, are available right here in SaddleBrooke at our community gift shop. They’re also available online through Amazon and can be found through my website at macphee1.carrd.co.
For grandparents, these books make wonderful holiday gifts. They’re the kind of stories that children can grow into and revisit, and the coloring book adds a creative touch. Whether tucked under a Christmas tree or read together by a warm fireplace, they’re designed to bring a little more magic into family time.
When you stop by the SaddleBrooke Gift Shop, please say hello—I’d love to meet you. Writing may be a solitary pursuit, but sharing stories is all about community, and I’m proud to be part of this one.
After all, every great adventure begins with opening the first page.