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In a Southern town in the 1970s, the rules for girls are simple: look pretty, behave politely, marry well. But for this rebel-in-the-making, life beyond suburban America beckons. Before she can escape, however, she’ll have to navigate extreme diets, feathered hair, and a mother who insists on hanging her bras on the clothesline in full view of the boys next door. Will she ever find a life that fits and a beverage that suits her champagne dreams? 

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A Memoir
by
Suzanne Weerts

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About

About the Author

Born in Charleston, SC, formed in Raleigh, NC, and reborn in Southern California, Suzanne Weerts’ creative nonfiction essays can be found in The Sun and Good Old Days magazines, and in several anthologies and online publications. Suzanne is a writing teacher, producer, nonprofit fundraiser and community activist who loves helping people find their voice on paper, on stage, and in standing up for meaningful causes. The mother of two compassionate young adults, Suzanne is mighty grateful that her mother’s repeated warnings of “Just you wait until you have children of your own!” amounted to 98.5 percent amusement, joy and wonder. She lives in Burbank, CA with her semi-social husband and their antisocial pandemic puppy.

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About the Author

Born in Charleston, SC, formed in Raleigh, NC, and reborn in Southern California, Suzanne Weerts’ creative nonfiction essays

can be found in The Sun and Good Old Days magazines, and in several anthologies and online publications. Suzanne is a writing teacher, producer, nonprofit fundraiser and community activist who loves helping people find their voice on paper, on stage, and

in standing up for meaningful causes. Her company JAM Creative has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local non-profits through storytelling events, and she can also be seen on stages across Southern California sharing her own stories including at

The MOTH, Story Salon, Revealed and Tales By The Sea.

 

The mother of two compassionate young adults, Suzanne is mighty grateful that her mother’s repeated warnings of “Just you wait until you have children of your own!” amounted to 98.5 percent amusement, joy and wonder. A proud graduated of

UNC-Chapel Hill, she lives in Burbank, CA with her

semi-social husband and their antisocial dog.

In the press

Cheers for Champagne Girl

Must See TV in a Book!

 From the first chapter, Suzanne reels in the reader, taking them back in time with vivid and witty descriptions of the simple pleasures of life - when kids played outside all day, there were three main television networks, and delicious TV Dinners and Tang were at the ready. Each chapter has its own mini story arc, always ending with a clever LOL comment, a good lesson learned, or a hint of gratitude for her life as a girl in a traditional southern family.

 Do yourself a favor and grab a glass of bubbly (or better yet a Bud) and jump into Suzanne’s bright and colorful “kiddie-pool-of-a-book.”

It’s sunny and the water’s warm!

Jennifer Skorlich

Former NBC Publicist

Champagne Girl in a Budweiser Family
is Suzanne's Debut Memoir, and her writing is also featured in these Anthologies

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Book Signing

Meet the Author

Upcoming Events

    Sun, Mar 15
    The Crow
    Suzanne will share a story from Champagne Girl in a Budweiser Family at this LIVE storytelling event in Santa Monica benefiting HOOPS 4 JUSTICE.
    Recording available NOW!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHMCFHr_TtI
    Two Tar Heels reflect with heart and humor on growing up in North Carolina in the 70s and 80s. Grab a glass of bubbly and take a trip back in time with us!
    September 2026
    Location is TBD
    Heading back to my roots to connect in my hometown and Carolina Communities. More details on events coming soon!
    Podcast available now!
    https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-xqqdc-19e2712
    Suzanne Weerts joined Juanita Mantz (JEM) in early December 2025 for a reading and discussion on storytelling and turning short pieces into a memoir. Check out the podcast linked here!
If you missed our readings at Story Salon, Vroman's, The Village Well, The Circle, The Ebell of Los Angeles,
here are some more opportunities to connect! Always open to in-person or online Book Club gatherings!

 
Contact

Need more information? 

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