top of page

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? 

We LOVE independent bookstores! 💕Whenever possible,

please order your copy at your favorite local shop!

A Memoir
by
Suzanne Weerts

Cover.png
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.

SW Headshot_edited.jpg

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

blurbed in UNC's College of Arts & Sciences Magazine

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

FEFF304C-B2A9-4351-B3FC-96BE74C84796_1_201_a.jpeg
Book Signing

Meet the Author

Recorded & Upcoming Events

    Wed, May 06
    The Ebell of Los Angeles
    Join Wendy Hammers and Suzanne Weerts and help us channel the spirit of the Kentucky Derby with the return of Sassy Southern Stories! Don your fascinators and come early for music & mingling on the porch beginning at 6pm, followed by stories in the parlor at 7:30pm!
    Sun, Jun 07
    RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar
    Suzanne is heading home to share stories with the people who helped form her foundation not far from where many of the tales took place! Come out for champagne toasts and a fun conversation with sports broadcasting legend David Glenn.
    Thu, Jul 16
    Chevalier's Books
    Join Suzanne Weerts & Alicia Sedwick as we share stories about growing up in the South in the 70's & 80's @ Chevalier's Books, LA's oldest independent bookstore!
    September 2026
    Location is TBD
    Heading back to my roots to connect in my hometown and Carolina Communities. More details on events coming soon!
    Fri, Apr 24
    https://archive.kpfk.org/index.php?shokey=a
    Listen in on the recording of the conversation about storytelling with KPFK's JULIO MARTINEZ, BEVERLY MICKINS, host of STORY SALON and SUZANNE WEERTS, Author of Champagne Girl in A Budweiser Family.
    Listen whenever you're inspired!
    Podcast link below!
    Suzanne chats with iHeart Radio's Helen Little about the roller coaster of emotions in excavating childhood memories and the shared nostalgia of growing up in a far simpler time.
    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!
    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!
    Recorded on March 18, 2026
    Click below to get the link!
    Suzanne joined six other writers for readings from their memoirs and works in progress for an evening of recorded, gorgeous stories, hosted by Terrie Silverman.
If you missed our readings at Story Salon, Vroman's, The Village Well, The Circle, The Ebell of Los Angeles,
or The Healdsburg Bubble Bar, here are some more opportunities to connect! Always open to in-person or online Book Club gatherings!

 
Contact

Need more information? 

bottom of page