Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been an award-winning art director/creative director in the Chicago ad biz for over 25 years and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with an emphasis in Illustration. A lot of my clients have been in the food and beverage arena, and my love of food grew into a rich and vibrant online website and social space in 2008, under the brand “The Urban Domestic Diva”. It is now a place where I share a lot of creative inspiration for the garden, kitchen and home. I am able to use a lot of my design, marketing, writing and photography styling experience all at once. Gardening and food continue to coalesce in my brain, spurring curiosity and creativity- because they are symbiotic. I wrote a book about using herbs and florals in sweeter recipes a few years ago, called Savoring Sweet. And this spring I launched BEE NATIVE! Flower Power.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
BEE NATIVE! Flower Power launched this spring, and it was inspired by my love of gardening and food, and the important role pollinators play in that relationship. The number of bees and butterflies are depleting at a rapid rate. Just last month 9 bumblebee species were put on the endangered species list. As this has been happening, I have slowly been adding native plants to my garden planning. The impact was noticeable. The ore natives I planted, the more butterflies and bees visited my yard. I counted 20 butterflies in 4 days and I am not even outside 24/7. And I live in the city and have an urban garden. So the power of native plants and flowers is real, and it can make a huge impact on your local pollinator population. The best way to act globally is to start locally, and why not your own back yard?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will jam and listen to podcasts, youtube videos and music when I design, illustrate and art direct. But when it comes to writing, I need it quiet with no distractions. It’s bizarre for me, but there it is. I also like diffusing essential oils sometimes when I write. Clarity, lavender, citrus always helps.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, fiction-wise, Ray Bradbury & Neil Gaiman are my absolute favorites. Non-fiction authors and thought leaders in the food and garden genre-I always loved Jerry Baker. His writing style and approach is very homespun, and all his garden tips and “tonics” are less toxic for the environment. I use his garden ideas all the time in my own outdoor spaces.
What are you working on now?
Once I get this book in as many people’s gardening-gloved hands as possible this summer, I will be working on the second BEE NATIVE! in the series-either the East Coast region or the Pacific. I plan on tackling all the native plant regions of the country. So no matter where you live, you will have an easy and beautiful guidebook to help you choose a plant that works perfectly in your garden, and helps your local pollinators.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you feel the need to write that book, but feel the market is saturated enough in your space, and suffer from imposter syndrome-just remember-there is only one you. You have your way of telling your story. People will want to hear your unique voice. Tell it your way, and be true to who you are, and you will be fine.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Eleanor Roosevelt: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” I think that’s how the quote qoes.
What are you reading now?
Just finished “Where the Crawdads Sing”. And I started Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine-from The Great Library Series. It’s summer, so a little fantasy is kind of nice.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to create a larger, hardbound book about all the things that my blog and social space are about. How to craft with small budgets and in small spaces, cooking and homesteading while working crazy hours. Tips, recipes, ideas, lifestyle-and all with beautiful photography and infographics I want to grow the Urban Domestic Diva online space and shop into a lifestyle brand, for people to be inspired to make their lives creative, beautiful and delicious.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury. Norton Anthology of American Literature, Neil Gaiman Trigger Warnings.
Author Websites and Profiles
Flora Caputo Website
Flora Caputo Amazon Profile
Flora Caputo’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account