Brenda Colbath, author of more than twenty books spanning children’s literature, mystery, science fiction, and suspense, believes that every extraordinary story begins with an ordinary life.
Born on a sweltering summer day in the tiny town of East Corinth, Maine, Brenda entered the world in a modest paper-covered home shared with her parents and two older brothers. Her family lived simply, sustained by her mother’s hardworking spirit and a garden that provided food throughout the seasons.
One of Brenda’s earliest memories is both vivid and unforgettable. After falling from the family’s rough wooden porch, she awoke lying across an old rocking chair while her mother carefully taped together a deep gash across her back. The accident left a scar she still carries today—a lasting reminder that even life’s earliest chapters can leave permanent impressions.
The family later moved to Dexter, Maine, where they rented half of a large house on Middlesex Avenue for the princely sum of ten dollars a month. Even as a child, Brenda displayed the independent spirit and imagination that would later define her writing. Before undergoing an emergency appendectomy, she insisted her parents take her home to wash her feet before she would allow herself to be admitted to the hospital. The delay caused her appendix to become acute, but after recovering, she delighted in entertaining—and horrifying—her friends by dramatically declaring, “The doctor’s knife slipped and went right through me!” while proudly displaying her surgical scars.
Brenda attended a two-room country schoolhouse in Corinna Center, where four grade levels shared a single classroom. Although the limited educational resources placed many students at a disadvantage, she persevered, eventually graduating from Corinna Union Academy—a name she jokes sounded far more distinguished than simply “high school.”
Her family later purchased a fifteen-acre farm complete with a century-old farmhouse, a two-story barn, a chicken coop, and the traditional New England outbuildings that defined rural life. The property was surrounded by lakes, where Brenda and her family spent countless hours fishing during every season. Among her fondest memories is owning a beautiful Surrey with a fringe on top—without the horse to pull it—but loving it just the same.
Each school day began with a one-mile walk to the bus stop before an eight-mile ride into town. Those journeys were made brighter by the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Additon, who welcomed Brenda with a glass of ice-cold lemonade in the summer or hot chocolate during the colder months. Mrs. Additon, a retired schoolteacher, nurtured Brenda’s lifelong love of literature by generously lending books from her personal library. Those treasured hours spent reading taught Brenda how to become completely absorbed in a story—a skill she admits sometimes caused her to miss conversations happening around her.
Another influential figure was her sophomore English teacher. On the first day of class, he silently stood before his students while the room buzzed with chatter. Without warning, he dropped a large book onto the floor, instantly commanding everyone’s attention. His message was simple: from that moment forward, English—and only English—would be discussed in his classroom.
Each Friday, students submitted five handwritten pages titled Random Notes. Rather than writing ordinary journal entries, Brenda began crafting serialized stories, ending each week’s submission with the words, “Continued next week.” Her teacher eagerly awaited every installment, often asking, “What happens next?” Brenda’s playful response never changed: “You’ll have to wait until next week’s chapter.” He became the first person to tell her, “You should do something with your writing.”
She never forgot those words.
Brenda built a successful career in real estate, first in Washington State, where she spent approximately fifteen years earning her Broker’s License at a time when women were rarely welcomed into the profession. Determined to succeed, she educated herself through title companies, mortgage companies, and community college courses, mastering every aspect of the business.
After relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, she enjoyed another fifteen-year career in real estate. When the industry changed dramatically following the 2008 housing recession, Brenda returned to the passion that had always been waiting for her: writing.
Today, she draws upon nearly three decades of professional experience, countless memorable personalities, and a lifetime of observations to create richly developed characters and compelling stories.
Her debut novel, Murder on Lake Haverly, introduces readers to the Maye West Mysteries series while drawing inspiration from her years in Arizona’s real estate industry. Many of the personalities found throughout her novels bear striking similarities to the Realtors, brokers, clients, and acquaintances she encountered over the years. As Brenda likes to say with a smile:
“Their names have been changed to protect the guilty.”
Selected Works
Maye West Mysteries
- Murder on Lake Haverly (Book One)
- Options (Book Two)
The Spirited One Series
- The Protector (Book One)
- James (Book Two)
Standalone Novels
- The End of the Road
- Immortal Enemies
Ruby & Nolan’s Great Adventures in Space
- Science Project (Book One)
- Dragon Flight (Book Two)
- The Keep (Book Three)
- The Others (Book Four)
- Wormhole (Book Five)
- Merpeople (Book Six)
- Decisions (Book Seven)
- Irus (Book Eight)
- Volcano (Book Nine)
Sleep Travelers Series
- The Story of Ning, Dog, and Boss (Book One)
- The Amusement Park (Book Two)
- The Dude Ranch (Book Three)
- The Train Ride (Book Four)
From rural Maine to successful real estate broker, and ultimately to award-worthy storytelling across multiple genres, Brenda Colbath’s journey reflects resilience, curiosity, and an enduring belief in the power of imagination. Whether writing mysteries, science fiction, or children’s adventures, she continues to create stories that entertain, inspire, and invite readers of all ages to turn just one more page.