Prolific local author, Endeah Canty, moved to West Bloomfield when she was five.

“We moved from Plainview and Eight Mile in northwest Detroit,” she said. “We were the first black family in our sub. I went to Doherty Elementary, Orchard Lake Middle School, and graduated West Bloomfield High School. My daughter goes to Doherty now, so it’s this strange full-circle nostalgia when I go there.”

Canty’s mom was a teacher.

“She taught middle school science in Detroit and at Birney in Southfield,” she said. “I was inspired by her art and poetry. I wrote some poems in college when I was at Grand Valley State University and Oakland Community College. Poetry also unexpectedly led me into learning sign language and interpreting for the deaf.”

Initially wanting to be a teacher, Canty pivoted to joining the workforce, then unexpectedly became a writer.

“After graduation, I soon realized I wasn’t comfortable in the education system,” she said.

Canty started working as a professional model and commercial actress while touring with North America Auto Show companies like VW, Ford and GM.

“When my husband and I got pregnant, I didn’t want to travel anymore so I became a GM product specialist full-time, downtown at the Renaissance Center,” she said.

Long nights and determined perseverance led to a creative breakthrough.

“I was busy, exhausted and my daughter was speech delayed,” she said. “I used to pray to God for guidance. Then 2020 happened and my daughter and I were at home every day together. I grew up loving Goosebumps, Sweet Valley High, comic books like Wendy, Casper, Betty and Veronica. I started reading heavily again, which led to exploring and experimenting with different types of writing.”

Canty created two hit books, multiple series and her own publishing company.

“’The Magic Shell’ and ‘I See God’ are my two bestsellers,” she said. “I also have The Magical series, The I See series, and The Perfect series, which features my daughter, Olivia. ‘The Perfect Scoop’ is co-authored with her.”

Hundredfold Return Publishing, Canty’s boutique publishing company, now has 11 authors as clients

“We even created a bilingual English and Spanish book,” she said. “Hundredfold Return is from Biblical scripture. So shall you reap and God will bless you. I prayed and God gave me a vision of a tree of oranges, which inspired me to bring the stories to life myself rather than rely on the cutthroat uncertainty of traditional publishing.”

A lover of nature, Canty’s books are often centered around nature.

“I’m hoping to inspire more outdoor play and exploration,” she said. “I love Michigan. Some favorite places are Ocqueoc Falls, Alpena, the Thumb, Benton Harbor. On my days off, I love hiking and discovering new places in our great state.”

Offering an abundance of lakes (Cass, Union, Walnut, Pine, etc.), West Bloomfield can be a fun place.

“I love Marshbank Park for the water, the beautiful trees,” she said. “Favorite eateries are Stage Deli, Red Coat Tavern, J. Alexander’s. I also love walking around Cranbrook House and Gardens nearby in Bloomfield.”

Canty continues dedicating her life and writing to helping others.

“Publishing and teaching,” she said. “Supporting local indie authors. Extending a helping hand in this game and in life. I’m collecting ideas for my first chapter book while building a course to teach people how to write their own stories.”