Candace F. (Candy) Abbott

 

Candace F. (Candy) Abbott is recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Publishing. Founder of Fruitbearer Publishing, LLC, Abbott established a publishing firm that is the home to an array of Christian authors and their inspirational works. Fruitbearer Publishing is rooted in Galatians 5:22-25, scriptures that are centered towards the demonstrations of the Fruit of the Spirit.

 

For more than two decades, Abbott has reached out to many women through her books while managing her publishing firm. Her first book, Fruitbearer: What Can I Do for You, Lord? served as a springboard for her publishing company. “My role is everything from chief cook and bottle washer to problem solver, counselor, and visionary,” Abbott said. “For years, Fruitbearer was a one-person company, and I did most everything myself with the occasional help of freelance editors.

 

Now, my greatest role is to oversee operations, serving as coordinator to keep the projects on track, but because I enjoy graphic design, I still do a lot of hands-on work with interior and cover design.” She claims that her greatest professional inspiration is author Catherine Marshall and her book, The Helper, which served as a spiritual catapult for Abbott and kick-started her career as a writer. In addition, Marlene Bagnull and Nancy Rue assisted in the pursuit of Abbott’s creative endeavors.

 

To keep abreast of the latest in the industry, Abbott is an active member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, Christian Small Publishers Association, and International Women’s Association. Her advice to anyone starting out in the industry would be, “Know your limits. Go to the source when you have questions, and get advice from the experts. Join professional organizations. Attend writer’s conferences, sign up for classes and workshops, and make lasting friendships as part of the process.” Perfect Misfits, featuring Fruitbearer books, recently opened at Lewes Georgetown Highway in Georgetown, Delaware. In addition to Christian books, the owner, Elizabeth Boerner features workshops, pre-loved furniture, and an art gallery.

 

In the future, Candy hopes Fruitbearer books will be well known as books of integrity across the country and around the world. “My dream would be for Fruitbearer titles to start showing up in little boutiques all around the country so people will delight in discovering our quality authors and their inspirational books in surprising places,” she said. Her ministry, Mothers with a Mission, offers “Real Hope, Real Truth, for Real Moms” through a blog and other resources. Founder and Director of Delmarva Christian Writers’ Fellowship, Abbott notes her interpersonal skills as her greatest strength. She believes in being faithful and supportive of others. When she isn’t working, Candy spends time caring for her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, and enjoying her three children and four grandchildren. She will soon release her most recent book, I’ve Never Loved Him More: A Husband’s Alzheimer’s. A Wife’s Devotion. For more information, please visit www.fruitbearer.com, www.motherswithamission.org, or www.delmarvawriters.com