When I was a child one of the things I liked to do while my mom cooked was something we called ‘machen’. Until recently, I thought it was a word that we had made up together until she informed me that it actually means ‘to make’ in German. Machen almost always involved searching through our pantry for ingredients and tossing whatever I had found into a mixing bowl. I recall these recipes mostly consisting of flour and water with a few other baking ingredients here and there. I'm almost certain we had even put at least one or two of my creations into the oven. I have my doubts that they were ever edible. My early cooking attempts always ended up in the trash, but I look back on those memories fondly. It’s become very clear to me later in life that these early experiences are what instilled my love for cooking.

Growing up in the foothills of the Adirondacks there was no shortage of restaurant jobs in the summer months. In the years between my junior year of high school and following the completion of my associates degree I found employment at multiple restaurants. I worked the line, washed dishes, and had gained a little front of house experience. It was during this time I came to realize how stressful a kitchen environment can be. There were times I absolutely hated it. What always stuck with me was the enjoyment I had for making something for someone, whether I was working at an Italian restaurant or a walk-up burger shack.

I’ll likely never work in a restaurant again, but I still find joy in cooking at home. There’s something very special about cooking with (and for) the people you care about. My wife, Jess, and I have spent countless hours together in the kitchen. When I have a new recipe in mind, Jess is the first to try it. I have only one rule if I'm going to cook for someone: honest opinions only. If I'm going to spend my time and effort on something I want to know whether it’s good or bad. I'll toot my own horn and say that a majority of the time what I make in the kitchen is pretty dang good, and if it isn't, I improve upon it next time. Over the years Jess and I have amassed a pretty solid home menu, and we're always trying new things and seeing what works.

The inciting idea for the Amboy Series came to me when I was delivering pizzas during a blizzard back in 2013. Over the next six years more bits and pieces of a story were thrown into the mixing bowl. I had worked on plotting and outlining here and there, but didn’t really sit down to write a draft until I finished my master’s degree in 2019. Since publishing my first book in 2021, I have honed my craft, and I’ve figured out what works for me and what doesn’t. Sometimes I spend weeks working on a section of a draft just for it to end up in the trash. There are times when the pressure I’ve put on myself becomes too much to bear and I feel like giving up. Ultimately, what keeps me moving forward is my love of storytelling and creating something for others to enjoy. When a reader connects to one of my stories or tells me about a favorite scene or character, it makes every moment of stress and self-doubt worth it. I’ll never cook in professional sense again, but I don’t foresee a time in my life when I’m not writing and sharing my stories with you all.

About the author

Steven Healt was born and raised in the Adirondack Region of New York State. He graduated from SUNY Oswego with a degree in Geology. He then went on to achieve a Masters in Geoscience from West Chester University. When he isn't reading or writing he enjoys camping, hiking, playing the guitar and spending time with family and friends.