Meet Taryn Souders | Children’s Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taryn Souders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taryn, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I never planned to be an author. I actually got my degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a specialization in mathematics, and then got my teacher certification.

But I grew up in a creative family and I couldn’t help myself! Once my husband and I started having kids, I started writing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always enjoyed reading. It was my go-to activity when I was younger, and if I could, I’d just sit and read all day as an adult, I’ve also always enjoyed writing, especially back in high school. I remember my sophomore English teacher told me I should consider becoming a writer one day because she thought my stories were good. I assumed she was just “being a teacher” and saying nice things. But after my husband and I had kids, I thought, why not give the writing thing a shot?

I wrote my first book, a picture book called Whole-y Cow! Fractions Are Fun and sold it, Then people asked when my next book was coming out . . . so I figured I better write one. After Dead Possums Are Fair Game released, the question came again. So I’ve kept writing and that’s how I ended up where I am today!

Lately I’ve been on a murder mystery kick–which some people might find unusual since I write for kids. But kids love mysteries and they are well aware there’s a broad range of crime in this world. I believe kids need to know there is justice, especially when terrible things happen, even something as terrible as murder. But no worries, I’m not into blood and gore. Coop Knows the Scoop is a cold case and The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is an accidental death that happens “off screen.”

One of things I’m often told by parents and librarians is they appreciate that I write clean, fun, and heart-warming stories that aren’t cloaked with some type of agenda–just a good old-fashioned whodunit.

The road to publication isn’t an easy one. It’s filled with potholes of rejection and frustration. But I believe it’s what I’ve been called to do for the time-being, so I’ll keep driving down that road. If you want to write and be published, the best piece of advice I can offer is to learn to accept rejection and be willing to learn from it. Critique is the best way to make your writing stronger, so join a critique group, start writing, be willing to listen, and don’t give up!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Mount Dora, FL is a fun little town to visit right in the heart of Florida. We have lots of antique malls to peruse and there’s an ice cream shop on every corner! My favorite place to eat is our local brewery called Eden Abbey. They have wonderful burgers and tacos and some artisan brews that are fabulous! We are surrounded by lakes (I live in Lake County) and so the boating options are endless. I’d rent a pontoon boat and spend the day on Lake Dora or any of our other beautiful lakes here. We are also only an hour away from the New Smyrna Beach, which is lovely. And of course, we’re only 45 minutes away from the parks like Disney and Universal Studios. However, I tend to prefer a quieter atmosphere and love to hang out in Downtown Mount Dora, exploring the unique shops. My favorite, a bookshop of course, is Barrel of Books and Games. If you ever come to Mount Dora, visit Barrel of Books and Games and then grab dinner at Eden Abbey (Wednesday nights are Trivia Night and super fun)!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Word Weavers, International has been a huge help in getting me to where I am today! It was through this wonderful organization that I met my agent, Sally Apokedak. I wouldn’t be published if it weren’t for her. I also have an amazing critique group called the Inkstigators. We’ve been together for twelve years and I wouldn’t give up those friendships for anything!

Website: https://tarynsouders.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taryn_souders/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TarynSouders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taryn.souders/

Image Credits
Headshot photo by Malcolm Yawn