Local entrepreneur and preservationist Sara McDaniel has announced a two-book publishing deal and several updates on her ongoing restoration projects, continuing her multifaceted work in Minden and beyond.
McDaniel, known for her Simply Southern Cottage brand and historic renovations across the city, shared via social media that she signed a deal with HarperCollins Christian Publishing and W Publishing Group. The books, which she described as stories of “redemption, resilience, and hope,” will draw from her personal journey and the experiences that launched her national following.
“I just signed a TWO-BOOK DEAL… This journey has been years in the making,” McDaniel posted. “These books will share stories straight from my heart — stories of redemption, resilience, and hope. The kind that remind us beauty can rise from the ashes.”
She thanked literary agent John Blase, the publishing team at W Publishing, and her followers for encouraging her over the years. “When I started this account in late 2016, it was simply an avenue to share my renovation with my friends and family. But God had other plans to use my immense heartbreak to touch the lives of millions,” she wrote.
In addition to her new publishing endeavor, McDaniel is preparing for the September opening of Purvéy, a curated retail store located at the corner of Broadway and Dixie in downtown Minden, across from A.J. Price. The store will feature vintage fashion, reloved clothing, vinyl records, used books, and propagated plants.
“I’m so excited to be bringing this shopping experience to Minden,” McDaniel said. She described Purvéy as “a unique shopping experience curated by Sara McDaniel of Simply Southern Cottage and Minden Stays,” with the goal of drawing more visitors to the city.
McDaniel continues to make strides in local development, with Phillip’s Cottage, a transitional home for women with children, expected to open by late August or early September. The project was created in honor of her father, Phillip Carroll, a beloved educator and pastor in Webster Parish who passed away in 2023. The home will offer private bedrooms for up to three women and their children.
“My dad spent his entire life serving in ministry and the public school system,” McDaniel said. “I know nothing would make him happier than knowing his work is being carried on beyond the grave.”
Funds for the home were partially raised through the inaugural Phillip’s Cottage 5K held in April, which McDaniel plans to make an annual event around her father’s birthday to benefit the nonprofit.
Meanwhile, McDaniel received a grant to complete the second floor of the historic Fuller-White House, one of several high-profile renovation projects she has undertaken in Minden. The home, located next to The Villas at Spanish Court, was featured on the Magnolia Network’s “In with the Old” last November.
McDaniel’s ongoing work has been widely recognized in publications such as Cottages & Bungalows, House Beautiful, and Forbes, and continues to generate tourism and momentum for revitalization in Minden.
“Thank you for walking alongside me,” McDaniel said. “I can’t wait to take you behind the scenes as we bring these books to life.”