Nothing New Under the Sun by Tara Tyler

Taking Back Beast World, Phase 2. Disney/Pixar's Onward comes out Mar 6 with a setting eerily close to BEAST WORLD. It's time to speak out again--in a positive way!

Diane is a hard worker and a wonderful promoter of books -- not to mention a busy publisher! I don't know how she does it all! Thanks for having me today, Diane.

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
by Tara Tyler

Seriously. Every story has been written, over and over again throughout the ages. Yet millions of books and movies are produced each year. Like, how many Spiderman and Batman movies do we need? Yet they keep coming! So how do we stand out in this world of re-dos?

KEEP IT FRESH!

Storylines may have similar bones: lonely detective solves a murder mystery, star-crossed lovers, hilarious misunderstandings, or the hero saves the day. But what makes each story special are the alternative settings, the unexpected twists, inventive technology, mash-ups, and most importantly, a unique voice.

Beast World is a fantasy adventure where teenagers rebel against the rules and stand up for themselves to make their world a better place--a familiar theme--but these teenagers are fantasy creatures! I came up with this concept while watching my youngest at football practice (2012). I loved how the smallest guy on the team was also the toughest. He wasn't afraid of the bigger guys and surprised them with his ferocious drive. And Gabe the goblin was born.

I also teach awkward teens. Newsflash: every generation of teenagers is the same: going through growing pains, figuring out who they are, making dumb mistakes, and hoping to make a difference. Assigning a species to the different cliques, I created Beast World--where Gabe the goblin wanted to break the stereotype barriers assigned to his nerdy species. I thought it was a pretty unique concept: Fantasy creatures in high school.

Until...

Disney/Pixar made their own "suburban fantasy" world--with basically the same setting as Beast World--six years after BROKEN BRANCH FALLS was first published.

Seeing the trailer came as quite a shock to me (and my readers). I didn't want to whine or complain, but I did decide to do something about it. After their lawyer basically told me I was nothing since the stories weren't the same, I felt like I was onto something. And I wouldn't let that stop me. I just had to work harder to get noticed.

Last summer, I made a lot of new contacts and had a successful Taking Back Beast World campaign. Now that the movie is coming out in a couple of weeks, I'm at it again.

It's a David vs Goliath story. I'm a tiny teacher writing (and re-publishing) on the side VS a mega-monster movie corporation. It's really no contest, so I'm promoting my books alongside their movie... Win-Win!

If you like fantasy adventure as in Disney/Pixar's Onward,
you'll love reading Tara Tyler's Beast World Series!

Maybe some day, I'll get one of my screenplays picked up--there are sure enough new media outlets. And then I'll see where the adventure takes me from there.

Just like my plucky characters, I won't give up!

What obstacles have you come across in your writing/publishing? 

Ever see a book or movie suspiciously close to your manuscript? 

Any advice for me??

Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over the US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her husband and one boy left in the nest. She has two novel series, Pop Travel (sci-fi detective thrillers) and Beast World (fantasy adventures), plus her UnPrincess novella series where the maidens save themselves. She's a commended blogger, contributed to several anthologies, and to fit in all these projects, she economizes her time, aka the Lazy Housewife—someday she might write a book on that... Make every day an adventure!

How to find:

website: Tara Tyler Talks

twitter: @taratylertalks

facebook: Tara Tyler - Author

Instagram: taratylertalks

newsletter: tara tyler news

The Insecure Writer's Support Group and Upcoming Releases

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s question: Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?

I can’t think of a single image or piece of art that inspired me. 99% of my fiction writing comes from dreams. I dream a scene, I form a story around it.

However, once I have a story idea and an outline, I do rely on visuals. I have Pinterest boards for several of my books and story ideas. Those help this visual person stay with the story.

You can view my boards on Pinterest.

But!

I have little time for writing.

Dancing Lemur Press has five releases this year:

March 17 –
Gabe’s Guardian Angel by Beverly Stowe McClure
Fiction – Young Adult: Boys & Men/Loners & Outcasts/Bullying
Print ISBN 9781939844668 $15.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844675 $4.99

May 5 –
Voyagers: The Third Ghost - An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Juvenile Fiction – Historical/Action & Adventure/Fantasy & Magic
Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99

June 2 –
Lost Helix by Scott Coon
Science Fiction – Action & Adventure/Mystery
Print ISBN 9781939844682 $17.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844699 $4.99

July 14 –
Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer's Block, Depression, and Burnout by Chrys Fey
Writing / Self-Help: Depression-Stress Management
Print ISBN 9781939844743 $17.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844750 $4.99

September 15 –
Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure by Sherry Ellis
Juvenile Fiction - Action Adventure/Legends, Myths, Fables-Caribbean & Latin American/Fantasy & Magic v Print ISBN 9781939844705 $7.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844712 $3.99

What image or art inspired you?

We are still looking for reviewers for DLP’s upcoming releases. Let me know if you are genuinely interested in reviewing one of the above titles.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group - #IWSGPit and Cover of Voyagers

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s question:
What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just "know" suddenly you wanted to write?

I was 13 years old. My aunt took me to a bookstore to pick out a book. I picked up Anne McCaffrey’s The White Dragon, just released in paperback. I knew at that moment I wanted to be an author – I wanted to see MY name on a book cover.

* * *

The #IWSGPit is next Wednesday!

You DO NOT want to miss this opportunity to participate in a Twitter pitch party that could change your writing career forever.

Dancing Lemur Press has signed FOUR books from Twitter pitch events, at least three of them from #IWSGPit.

So, visit the IWSG site for information, hashtags, and details.

Dancing Lemur Press will be watching your pitches!

* * *

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made the Write Life Best Websites for Writers again this year!

* * *

Presenting the cover for the next IWSG anthology:

Voyagers: The Third Ghost

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Journey into the past…

Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?

Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride!

Available May 5, 2020
$13.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 168 pages, Freedom Fox Press
Juvenile Fiction: Historical (JUV016000) / Action & Adventure (JUV001000) / Fantasy & Magic (JUV037000)
Print ISBN 9781939844729 eBook ISBN 9781939844736
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

To pre-order: Amazon print / Amazon Kindle / B&N / iTunes / Kobo

What set you on your writing journey?

Are you participating in #IWSGPit?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group, December Special, & Trans Siberian Orchestra

It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s question:
Let's play a game. Imagine. Role-play. How would you describe your future writer self, your life and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?

I wouldn’t say I’m living the dream, but if I went back 20 years and told a younger me I’d be a professional speaker and own a publishing company, my younger me would freak.

* * *

Today we announce the winners of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group anthology contest.

These ten stories and authors will appear May 5 in Voyagers: The Third Ghost:

The Third Ghost by Yvonne Ventresca
The Ghosts of Pompeii by Sherry Ellis
Dare Double Dare by Louise MacBeath Barbour
Return to Cahokia by L.T. Ward
Simon Grey and the Yamamba by Charles Kowalski
The Blind Ship by Bish Denham
Winter Days by Katharina Kolata
Feathered Fire by Roland Clarke
A World of Trouble by Rebecca M. Douglass
The Orchard by Beth Anderson Schuck

I’m excited to work with three returning authors: Rebecca M. Douglass appeared in Tick Tock: A Stitch in Time, Yvonne Ventresca appeared in Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Sherry Ellis is the author of Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China and the upcoming Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure.

I’m just as excited to work with the new authors and help them along their author paths.

Keep an eye on Dancing Lemur Press LLC and sign up for our newsletter (bottom right corner of home page) for more updates on Voyagers: The Third Ghost.

* * *

December Special!

Buy any print book directly from Dancing Lemur Press LLC and get two eBooks or audio books free.*

To get your free eBooks or audio books:

Purchase directly from Dancing Lemur Press’ website and state in the comments your free book selections and eBook format (if required.)

Full details here - Dancing Lemur Press LLC

(*Multi-book eBook sets or audio book sets not available.)

* * *

Christmas always kicks off for us with our annual Trans Siberian Orchestra concert.
This was year #15-16? We’ve lost count!
But it was incredible for two reasons:
Our first ever front row seats.
My brand-new iPhone 11 Pro with the most amazing camera ever.
Here is what we enjoyed:

 

How would you describe your future writer self?
Do you want some free books?
Have you ever seen Trans Siberian Orchestra?