Backyard Living Books began with a simple belief: everyone should be able to enjoy the satisfaction of building, growing, raising, and creating in their own backyard, even if they’re starting with no experience at all.

Too many beginner books assume readers already know the basics. They skip important steps, use unfamiliar terminology, or overwhelm readers with information before they ever get started. I wanted to create a different kind of guide, one that explains each project clearly, builds confidence one step at a time, and makes learning enjoyable.

I’m Steve McChesney, founder of Backyard Living Books.

I’ve spent much of my career writing, building businesses, and helping others learn new skills. That passion eventually led me to create Backyard Living Books, where practical information and clear instruction come together for readers who are just getting started.

Every book is carefully organized, visually engaging, and written specifically for complete beginners. My goal is to remove the confusion, answer the questions new hobbyists often have, and provide the confidence needed to take that first step, whether you’re building a raised garden bed, raising chickens, planting fruit trees, keeping bees, preserving food, or exploring a more self-sufficient lifestyle.