Aspen poet’s ‘Cowgirl Poetry’ hits bestseller lists

Aspen resident poet Charlie Henderson celebrated a remarkable literary debut last week when her book, “Cowgirl Poetry,” was published on Oct. 15 and immediately soared to No. 1 within 24 hours. 

She was number one in Amazon book rankings in three categories — United State Poetry, Epic Poetry, and Native American Poetry — and hit bestseller status in 12 categories altogether.

“I’m floored. I’m in shock and awe,” Henderson said of her book’s instant success. 

The collection is already being carried in stores locally, including Carl’s Pharmacy, Golden Bough in Basalt, and White River Books in Carbondale, as well as in Bullock’s Western Wear in Glenwood Springs.

“Cowgirl Poetry” is a compilation of poems “celebrating life in this valley and the healing power of ranch life, horses, and nature,” according to Henderson. As described on the back cover, the book serves as the author’s “love letter to the land, the saddle, and every dusty mile I’ve traveled chasing sunsets and stories.”

The poems were born from “long rides, quiet nights under big skies, and the fierce gentle strength it takes to live the ranch life,” according to the author’s description.

A South African native who arrived in New York in 1999, Henderson moved to Aspen in 2014 and works as a realtor specializing in ranch properties. 

After her father passed away last July, she found herself writing in a leather-bound journal. The writing process served as a way for her to quietly grieve — losing her last surviving parent had left her feeling “untethered.”

Her inspiration to write deepened through encounters with other locals, including the legendary local rancher Emma Danciger and witnessing her tremendous energy.

“She’s in her 80s, cruising around in her Lexus with antler horns on it,” Henderson said with admiration.

The path to publication took an unexpected turn when she consulted a medium recommended by a friend. During the session, both her parents came through, with her mother encouraging her writing. Since no one knew she had been putting pen to paper, this message was remarkable to Henderson.

“Nobody knew. My fiancé didn’t know; my kids didn’t know. It was my private thing,” she said.

The medium connected Henderson with Publishing Joy, and, in a wild coincidence, when Henderson called her investment advisor about funding, he quoted the exact amount the publisher had requested.

“You can’t make this stuff up,” she said.

The collection in her book celebrates what Henderson calls “life in analog, not digital.”

One poem reads: “Digital life ain’t my jam… I choose wind-down windows, a clutch, and an accelerator, having to time the stick shifts so as not to stall the car. I choose ranch life over anything. I choose life in analog, not digital.”

The poetry draws from her experiences at Sopris Mountain Ranch, where she keeps her horse Apple. She’s also involved with the Snowmass Western Heritage Association board, which runs on the local rodeo.

“One of the main themes is how horses heal you,” Henderson said. “My horse, Apple, has gotten me through an awful divorce 10 years ago, heartbreak, amazing times — the basics we’ve gotten so far away from because of our phones and digital lives.”

The book’s success showed vast support from the community and beyond — with friends purchasing copies worldwide.

“I was getting text messages from South Africa, London, Paris, Denmark, Australia,” Henderson said.

For her, the book represents more than personal success. It’s about preserving her Western heritage and sharing her role within that framework.

“You always hear of cowboy everything, but I thought, why don’t you hear much about cowgirl poetry?” she said.

The book promises readers “pieces of my heart — the hard days, the belly laughs, the moments that made me feel small and wild all at once.”

For more information and to purchase the book, visit one-chic-cowgirl.com.