A local mother-and-daughter writing team co-authored a book, “Depression Cookies,” which has received attention from the Lifetime Network.

The authors have been asked to appear on “The Balancing Act” and be featured in “The Author’s Corner.

Angela Silverthorne, born in Georgia, but raised in Williamston and Washington, wrote a novel with her daughter, Tia Bach.

Through the website www.depressioncookies.com and a press release, Lifetime Network caught a glimpse of the novel’s story.
“They loved the idea that a mother and daughter had written it,” Bach said. “(Network producers) called me and asked if we were interested in filming a segment on May 2.”

Silverthorne has had numerous poems, short stories and a book, “Promises Seeded Inside” published.

Bach began her writing career as a corporate technical writer, but she has written and published several articles on parenting and received acclaim for her short stories.

Silverthorne loves reading and writing in all genres.

“(Tia) came to me one day and said she had a great idea for a book,” said Silverthorne. “I thought it was wonderful. Then when she said she wanted me to write it with her, I said, ‘Now, honey, I don’t know about that.’ But it took her about 30 minutes to convince me that we were going to write this book.”

It took nearly 10 years for the idea to come to fruition because Bach moved often because of her husband’s job.

“We finally sat down about two years ago and decided to finish it,” Silverthorne said. “And I am so proud of her for doing so much for the book.”

Bach said the novel is a coming-of-age story in which the reader is introduced to two different interpretations of what’s happening, from the view of the mother, Abby, and from the view of the teenage daughter, Krista.

“We both just always loved reading and writing and wanted to write a story with both of us taking a point of view, with the idea that someone would read this and no matter what you’ve been through, you can see the daughter’s perspective and the mother’s,” Bach said.

“And it’s so beneficial because once you become a mom, you sometimes forget what it’s like to be a teenager. And teenagers don’t know what it’s like to be a mom. So, it’s a really nice book that shows both perspectives.”

Initially accepted by a small publication press in North Carolina, the book just a few weeks away from printing when the publisher died. So, the team had to go with another publisher, Xlibis.

“We have since entered the world of marketing, which I didn’t know anything about,” she said.

According to Silverthorne, the story is multigenerational and incorporates a bit of humor.

“Because being in any family, especially ours, if you don’t laugh at yourself in the middle of everything that life is, it will tear you down,” she said. “So, you kind of have to laugh about it. You start seeing how these women kind of have a domino effect on life.”

Silverthorne said the title of the novel, “Depression Cookies,” reflects her love of such cookies and what they meant to her growing up — that she could get through anything.

“They’re really a comfort food,” she said. “They’re saltine crackers, smothered with melted marshmallow and peanut butter. And it was all we could afford when I was little.”

Silverthorne said the story is about women, their struggles and their coming together through shared experiences.

Silverthorne and Bach will be at I Can’t Believe It’s a Book Store in downtown Washington from noon to 3 p.m. Friday to sign copies of “Depression Cookies.”