Kelsey Barrett and her family escape the Florida heat a few times each year to their favorite place, Stowe, Vermont. On one visit, her daughter asked every morning when she woke up, “Is the gondola awake?” With that one question came the idea for Kelsey’s first self-published book, one she hopes her own gondola girl will cherish for years to come.

When she’s not figuring out the logistics of self-publishing, Kelsey is the Director of Marketing for a company in the marine industry. With life in Florida and a career focused on boats, Vermont has been a refreshing change of pace and scenery where she can unwind and make memories with her husband, Alex, and their two kids.