When Brittany Fergus moved to Hilton Head Island, she never imagined a stranded boat in Broad Creek would be the spark for her first published book. But Stuck in the Mud, a charming children’s adventure set in the Lowcountry, grew from a mother’s perspective, a toddler’s imagination, and a deep love for the natural beauty of South Carolina’s coast.
Originally from Ohio, Fergus first visited Hilton Head as a child. “I started coming to Hilton Head when I was about 10, and I’ve always felt connected to the Lowcountry,” she said. “It’s been in my heart for as long as I can remember.”
Though her academic background is in finance (she holds a degree in the subject with a minor in British literature), writing was always a private creative outlet. “It was never something I pursued professionally,” she said. “Writing was a break from reality for me – a little playground. But that changed when I became a mother.”
In 2015, after the birth of her son Jonathan, Fergus began to see the world through his curious young eyes. It was during this time, while living in the Crosswinds neighborhood with a view of Broad Creek, that they both noticed a mysterious boat stuck out in the marsh. “My son was probably 2 or 3 at the time, and he became completely fixated on that boat,” Fergus recalled. “Every day he’d ask me, ‘Is it still stuck in the mud?’”
The repeated question – and her son’s fascination – sparked something in Fergus. She began jotting down ideas and imagining the story behind the abandoned vessel. “I started thinking, ‘What does he imagine is happening with that boat?’ and from there, the story unfolded.”
That story became Stuck in the Mud, a whimsical Lowcountry adventure that follows a young boy named Jonathan and his friends as they try to unravel the mystery of a boat trapped in the marsh. With pirates, storms, and families living aboard as possibilities, the children’s imaginations lead them on an engaging journey filled with questions, curiosity, and courage.
“It’s a Lowcountry adventure to solve a boat mystery once and for all,” Fergus said. “The characters wonder – did pirates leave it behind? Was there a hurricane? Is it someone’s home? There’s this wide-open sense of possibility, which I think is so magical for kids.”
Brittany Fergus, author of Stuck in the Mud, a charming children’s adventure set in the Lowcountry.
Though she had no immediate plans to publish the book when she wrote it, the story stayed with her. “It was one of those things where the book found me,” she said. “I didn’t set out to become an author. It was more like the story insisted on being told.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought life to a standstill, Fergus finally had the time to explore the publishing process. She began researching self-publishing and discovered Warren Publishing, a hybrid press based in Rock Hill. “They were amazing,” she said. “They held my hand through everything, from editing to formatting to marketing. I felt supported the whole way.”
Family-crafted illustrations
Adding even more heart to the project is the book’s illustrator, Fergus’ sister-in-law and Jonathan’s godmother, Cait Chiou, an artist based in Chicago. “Before I even signed with Warren, Cait and I were playing around one summer, and I asked if she’d illustrate it,” Fergus said. “She said yes, and she brought the story to life with such stunning imagery.”
Chiou, though not a Lowcountry resident, infused the book with detailed depictions of the region’s wildlife and landscapes. “She did research and used the stories and photos I sent her,” Fergus said. “Her illustrations are just beautiful, and they really capture the essence of Hilton Head.”
Beyond its charming artwork and imaginative story, Stuck in the Mud offers deeper lessons for its young readers. “At its heart, the book is about curiosity,” Fergus said. “It’s about seeking answers, using your imagination, and not being afraid to take chances to solve problems.”
What makes Stuck in the Mud even more special is that it is rooted in the real community. “All of the characters are based on real Hilton Head kids,” said Fergus. “Our friends, our neighbors – the whole cast is local. Every parent gave permission, and they all know their kids are featured. It’s really a love letter to this place and the people in it.”
That love extends to the visual setting of the book as well. While the story’s Hilton Head references are subtle, they’re unmistakable for locals. “You’ll see the Harbour Town Lighthouse in the background, and you’ll recognize the landscapes. The Lowcountry is everywhere in the book – it’s part of the story.”
With Stuck in the Mud officially released, Fergus is already at work on her next project, also inspired by life on the island. “Last summer, an incident involving the pluff mud sparked a new story,” she said. “I’ve written the manuscript, and Cait has already storyboarded it. I’m working with Warren again and deciding whether to go more picture/story book for younger children or transition into longer chapter book territory for slightly older kids.”
Stuck in the Mud is available on Hilton Head Island at Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum Shop, Barnes & Noble, and The Old Oyster Factory (because Broad Creek is the book’s setting). It can be purchased online at most major booksellers and on Fergus’ website, BrittanySloanFergus.com.
While Fergus and her family are no longer on the island full-time, they kept their Hilton Head home and return often to spend time with friends and family. For now, Fergus is enjoying the full-circle moment of having her heart-born story shared with her beloved Hilton Head community. “It’s a story I wrote straight from the heart,” she said. “It weaves Lowcountry wildlife, imagery, and adventure into something that I hope inspires imagination in kids, just like that boat in the mud did for my son.”
As for what’s next, Fergus is open to wherever the current takes her. “I would love for Stuck in the Mud to be featured alongside other children’s books in future publications. It’s just been such a joyful experience, and I’m grateful for the chance to share it.”
Stuck in the Mud is available on Hilton Head Island at Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum Shop, Barnes & Noble, and The Old Oyster Factory (because Broad Creek is the book’s setting). It can be purchased online at most major booksellers and on Fergus’ website, BrittanySloanFergus.com.
Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or just someone who loves the Lowcountry, this heartwarming tale promises to spark curiosity, and maybe a few marshy adventures of your own.
