Bozeman-based public radio producer Chérie Newman visits Elk River Books to discuss her new memoir, Other People’s Pets: Critters, Careers, and Capitalism in Yellowstone Country, on Thursday, July 25.
“When most of her freelance income disappears during the recent world-wide shut down, Newman falls back on an old skill: pet sitting. But she soon realizes that everything has changed. The town of Bozeman has changed. She has changed. A side-hustle that used to be simple has become complicated.
“Fans of the series ‘Yellowstone,’ as well as thousands of pandemic refugees, have swarmed Bozeman, wreaking havoc on the environment, local culture, and the economy. Many of her new clients are self-centered and thoughtless. Most of the pets are unruly and needy. After a few crazy experiences, she begins to wonder if she should continue accepting critter sitter gigs. But then she has to face the hard truth: She needs the money.
“This entertaining memoir weaves humorous tales about dogs, cats, chickens, and a turkey with Newman’s personal stories of her life-long quest to earn a bare-bones income in a place called ‘The Treasure State,’ and to survive in a town where the privileged few park their private jets at the airport and then hurry off to spacious multi-million-dollar homes, while locals struggle to afford a studio apartment.”
Newman is a writer, musician, audio producer and editor. For 12 years she worked at Montana Public Radio, where she created hundreds of programs, news stories and podcasts. She has recorded interviews in studios located in Bozeman, Missoula, Spokane, Billings, Burbank and Los Angeles, as well as in coat closets, farm fields, libraries and hotel rooms. Her articles, profiles, essays and book reviews have been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, literary journals and newsletters, and she blogs at MagpieAudioProductions.com and cheriewrites.com.
Elk River Books is located at 122 S. 2nd St. in downtown Livingston. The free event begins at 7 p.m., and a book signing and reception will follow.
