Double up Buttercup! It's 2020!

I have a feeling this is going to be a good year!
It could be because of the double 20's, or maybe the great time we had over the holidays (hope you did too!), but I think it's mainly because I have some great things going on and coming up!

First off, I just re-published

BROKEN BRANCH FALLS

Check out the side binding!

Now I'm on to Cradle Rock, and then a few tweaks on Windy Hollow, now that I've got the process down. All these should be ready in time for the upcoming movie release of Disney/Pixar's Onward. I've alluded to this in previous posts, and now I'm ready to jump onto its coattails. I created the ORIGINAL Beast World concept of fantasy creatures in high school (suburbia) so if you like this movie, you'll love my stories!

Many writers have seen their concepts, stories, or characters they've created from their own experiences, hard work, painstaking years of blood, sweat, and tears magically appear on a big screen written by someone else or in someone else's best-selling publication. It happens all the time as there is nothing new is under the sun. BUT the similarities here are too glaring. It's too much to take without saying something. I have to try and be heard. I will emulate my characters and give it my best shot!! And I can use all the help I can get!

I'm putting together a team! This is a continuation of the my summer campaign to get the word out about Beast World. Volunteers can do as little or as much as you like. If you'd like to join, here's the FORM. And as always, there are prizes!

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~~ RECENT EVENTS ~~

I had 2 awesome events last Fall!
First was the "Gratitude Crop" - a scrapbooking and vendor event. 
Lots of cool scrapbooking ideas and creative minds. And I sold a few books too!

I also participated in an AUTHOR EXPO on a ladies' night of shopping
in the quaintest little bookstore of the most adorable downtown ever!
So many cute shops and eateries.
The Mulberry Street bookstore and cafe is my new favorite place.

It was jam-packed with patrons from the event's open to close on a chilly eve.
A smashing success for all 20 authors!

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Bookishness

Where I answer commonly asked questions and pass on writerly advice... lately, sharing questions from one of my sweetest fans on Goodreads, she's awesome!

BookwormNerd: What is one book you love that others do not?

Answer: That was a tough one. Many times, I go against the crowd. Like I was not a big fan of the Twilight series and definitely did not like Fifty Shades of Grey, both of which were very popular. I like a lot of science-fiction and fantasy, and that’s not always popular with others, but it definitely has a big following...

My Thoughts: I love that most books have a fan base. Everyone is different and likes different things. And if you want to be a writer, no matter what you write, there will be readers who love your books!

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What I'm Reading...

• In 2020, I want to read more! While I edit my books, I'm going to catch up on my TBR list... 
• Plus, here's the latest in one of my friends' romance series...MAGUIRE'S CORNER, book 3

AND THEN YOU FALL by Heather M Gardner

I'm not usually a romance reader, but these books are action-packed murder mysteries with some intense drama, plus the steamy stuff...

What I'm Writing...

• Next up for re-publish is CRADLE ROCK & WINDY HOLLOW
• Then SIMULATION & DISPOSAL as I work on CONDUCTION, the 4th POP TRAVEL novel - stolen tech, murder, and of course, pop traveling all over creation!
• GERTRUDE (the Nerdy Princess) UnPrincess novella #4 is ready for typing. Still hoping for a February release. Different is beautiful!
• BEAST WORLD #4 is still waiting in the forest... Gabe's sister Ginny is ready for high school!

Where I'll be...

• No events in this chilly month. Staying inside is good for writing, editing, and planning!

• Hoping to get down to North Carolina to visit my son and plan an event!
• Will be in the midst of the Taking Back BEAST WORLD campaign, getting ready for the release of Onward... Might have to stage a protest at a movie theater!

• Looking forward to the response of my BEAST WORLD campaign. Wish me luck!
• And Spring Events coming up!

Seems like just yesterday everyone was saying,
Winter is coming -- and now it's upon us!

Make your 2020 Bright and Shiny!

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You're invited!

When I started this weekly twitter chat over the summer, I was just hoping to rant about my writerly woes with other writer friends. I never expected it to keep going! It's now a regular release, so nice to chat about whatever comes to mind with other writers and artists.

The #WEDWRANT -- is a way for us to get together not only to rant, but to encourage and have a few laughs. There's a regular group of us, and we welcome anyone who'd like to join in!

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HELP WANTED!

If you like to read, tweet, and help others--join my STREET TEAM! I treat my team for offering their services and time to sneak peeks, and special swag. Please fill out this FORM if you're interested.

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Subscribe to Tara Tyler's Newsletter 

~~ Available for SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, BOOK CLUBS, and BOOK TALKS ~~

Things are looking up this Fall!

The Journey Continues...

After surviving all the stress and turmoil of DISNEY/PIXAR basically stealing my Beast World setting, I got my act together, published and had a stupendous launch of my sixth book, WINDY HOLLOW! The campaign went splendidly this Summer with lots of new followers and friends. And, it's been well-received, with smashing reviews, like this latest review of the entire Beast World Series (so far) at Pen and Paper. I plan on promoting the Beast World series again when their movie comes out in March. I really appreciate all the support! Let's hear it for the little guys!

With the Holidays just around the corner, I'm excited to have a couple of events in November. But I'm running out of books! I have to get Pop Travel back up and printing by the end of October. And soon after, Broken Branch Falls, hopefully by the end of the year. It can be done. And since I'm doing it myself, it WILL be done! Gotta stay positive!

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~~ RECENT EVENTS ~~

After recently moving, I found the cutest bookstore. Mulberry Street Books in Lebanon, OH.
And I was right! It was officially named one of the coziest bookstores in Ohio!
The best part: I was able to do a signing there -- which went very well! I met some great folks and sold a bunch of books. Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to more!

They not only promote authors and sell books, but they promote other crafts and classes related to all things bookish or creative. And they brew coffee and sell yummy treats.
I got this adorable handmade ipad cozy while I was there:

Another event I'm excited about is a weekly twitter chat that I started while I was promoting the release of WINDY HOLLOW.
It's called #WEDWRANT -- a midweek gathering of writers/creatives who get together to rant, encourage, and have a few laughs. There's a regular group of us, and we welcome anyone who'd like to join in.

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Bookishness

Where I answer commonly asked questions and pass on writerly advice... lately, sharing questions from one of my sweetest fans on Goodreads, she's awesome!

BookwormNerd: What is the most difficult thing about writing about the opposite gender?

Answer: Since I have three sons, writing the opposite gender is not that difficult for me. Though there are gender differences, they are aren’t that important most of the time. Personality is what you want to capture when you’re writing.

My Advice: I know female leads seem under-represented, but I think we are more complicated and harder to write! I recommend writing the characters that come to you. Don't force a female if a male is what comes to mind and vice/versa. I try to keep an equal balance in my books, but males come easier to me. That's one reason I started my Un-Princess series, where the girls are in charge!

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What I'm Reading...

• I'm in the midst of an ARC of NOT GUILTY by C. Lee McKenzie. It's about a teenage boy with high future hopes that are dashed when he becomes the prime suspect in an attempted murder case. It's full of raw emotions he has to deal with, turning his world upside-down. I hope it's got a happy ending!
  
• Since I've got a deadline, I have to pause reading anything else for the moment.

What I'm Writing...

• I've also paused FARTHER ALONG - though I got some great feedback from my beta readers and another artist working on a cover sketch, but...
• I have to get POP TRAVEL and BROKEN BRANCH FALLS re-published ASAP. I have events coming up!
• Also on hold, GERTRUDE (the Nerdy Princess) UnPrincess novella #4 - Hoping for a February release.
• As soon as I get my previous novels re-published, CONDUCTION, the 4th POP TRAVEL novel is ready for typing. The gang is working on a new method of data storage - in your body! But does that mean someone can control you with the right frequency??
• BEAST WORLD #4 is still in the works, and will hopefully be written up soon... this one stars Gabe's sister Ginny!

Where I'll be...

• No book events, but I'll be busy working to get Pop Travel re-published! So much to do!

• 11/2/19 - 11am-3pm - Gratitude Crop vendor event, Hilton Garden Holiday Inn, Cincinnati. Looking forward to selling some books. I just hope I don't buy more than I sell!
• 11/9/19 - all day - Girls Night Out - Local Author Expo at  Mulberry Street Books in Lebanon, OH. A sidewalk sale extravaganza!

• Family will be coming to town - gotta deck them halls!

This fall will be colorful and eventful!
Hope you enjoy every moment!

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If you like to read, tweet, and help others--join my STREET TEAM! I treat my team for offering their services and time to sneak peeks, and special swag. Please fill out this FORM if you're interested.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscribe to Tara Tyler's Newsletter 

~~ Available for SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, BOOK CLUBS, and BOOK TALKS ~~

Summer of Dreams!

I did it! WINDY HOLLOW is HERE!

If you want something done right, do it yourself! 

So I did. I took my rights back and published Windy Hollow!

WINDY HOLLOW
Beast World MG Fantasy Series, book #3
by Tara Tyler
Available NOW!

In BROKEN BRANCH FALLS, Gabe and his friends go on a quest to save their school, blowing up all the rules, and discover their origins.

Then they go to CRADLE ROCK and meet some real live humans, scaring them into attack mode. The Beasts realize they have to spread the truth ASAP.

Now, school's out, and Gabe is ready for a break from all the drama...

Gabe and his friends fly over the Great Sea for the wedding of the century: a dragon prince and a beautiful harpy. But Gabe can't relax on this vacation. Besides competing in rigorous wedding events, he overhears the nearby human village WINDY HOLLOW is in danger from an evil human scientist and a vengeful were-ogre experimenting on beasts. Gabe and his friends risk crossing the mountains to help, despite several warnings. 

Maybe he's going too far this time, but he's in too deep to quit. It's do or die, hopefully not die!

Paperback ~~~ Ebook ~~~ Goodreads

I've been busy writing fun and informative posts on writing and other entertaining summer stuff... and with the help of some friends, we've been spreading the news about WINDY HOLLOW's long-awaited release! Stop by if you have time.

6/20 - Heather Holden - Reverse Interview, How does she Create such Awesome Art?
6/22 - Ellen Jacobson - Interview with some surprising questions!
6/24 - Patricia Lynne - Keeping Magic Alive
6/26 - MJ Fifield - Fantasy World-Building
6/30 - SA Larsen - Special Newsletter & a Vlog?!
7/1 - My IWSG post on Marketing with updates and a Special Guest!
7/3 - Alex J. Cavanaugh - IWSG Day - Fantasy Movies
7/4 - Tonja Drecker - Independence Day! - Kids in Books
7/8 - Christine Rains - Levels of Romance
7/10 - Heather M. Gardner - Binge Watching TV
7/15 - Tyrean Martinson - Hiking!
7/17 - Julie Flanders - Gotta Have Friends
*7/22 - Juneta Key - Surprise Post! (she doesn't even know what it's about yet!)

And of course, there's a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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~~ RECENT EVENTS ~~

Sadly, with my publisher going incognito, I can't get a good supply of books to sell at events. I had to cancel one of my favorite go-to's Ohioana. They tried to work with me to get books, too. 
I'll be back next year!

But I won't be out for long. I am planning to re-publish my books on my own.Those older books could all use a tune-up anyway. I'll just have a refurbished party like those home shows!

And I have been getting out... I was able to visit fellow author and critique partner,
Christine Rains!

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Bookishness

Where I answer commonly asked questions and pass on writerly advice... lately, sharing questions from one of my newest fans on Goodreads, she's awesome!

BookwormNerd: What are your hardest scenes to write?

Answer: The hardest scenes for me to write in any of my books are battle scenes or fight scenes — they’re hard to describe.

My Advice: There's so much going on at a fast pace. Sometimes I act the scene out. I like to know what someone would really do if faced with a fight scene. What would be real reactions for the characters? It's tough to write these descriptive scenes and keep the intensity. Another technique is to write short sentences to show forcefulness and quick motions. You should also build up suspense before the action with a little stalking or taunting dialog, which can be spoken or internal.

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What I'm Reading...

• Just finished SECOND NATURE by M.J. Fifield. Tremendous series! Reminds me of Game of Thrones -- and just like J.R.R. Martin, this genius takes her time putting her masterpieces together, so I have to wait a while for the 3rd book! 5 stars
• Which means I need more to read for the rest of the summer! I just picked up MURDER AT THE MARINA, a cozy mystery by Ellen Jacobson. I plan to read more, since her third one just released!
• Also going to finally read WICKED BUSINESS by one of my all time faves, Janet Evanovich

What I'm Writing...

• FARTHER ALONG - is finally with my beta readers! Looking forward to hearing their thoughts.
• REWORKING my previous novels for RE-PUBLICATION! This is a tough task... We'll see how it goes.
• That means these future books are on hold during my transition...
• GERTRUDE (the Nerdy Princess) UnPrincess novella #4 - I've recruited a special artist for the cover!
• CONDUCTION, the 4th POP TRAVEL novel - a new method of data storage in your body! But does that mean someone can control you with the right frequency??
• BEAST WORLD #4 is still in the works. But a shocking revelation has come to my attention, and I've had to deal with it... More news on that next time...

Where I'll be...

• WINDY HOLLOW Release TOUR!!
• Lots of travel with baseball and summer vacationing -- I get to see friends in every city!

• I'll be preparing for my new teaching job -- once I'm back into a groove, I'll be able to do more writing stuff!

• 9/21/19 - 2pm - BOOK TALK and SIGNING, WINDY HOLLOW RELEASE PARTY! at my local Mulberry Street Bookstore in Lebanon, Ohio! Very excited and a little anxious - I hope I have enough books!

Baseball is in full swing!
Try to stay cool this summer!

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If you like to read, tweet, and help others--join my STREET TEAM! I treat my team for offering their services and time to sneak peeks, and special swag. Please fill out this FORM if you're interested.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscribe to Tara Tyler's Newsletter 

~~ Available for SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, BOOK CLUBS, and BOOK TALKS ~~