Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I thought I was an Indian Princess. Raised in the mountains and windswept plains of Wyoming, near the Wind River Reservation, my early years were spent in the shadow of the Tetons and roaming Yellowstone and Shoshone National Forest. I had a pinto pony and an aversion to shoes, along with my long dark braids. My family spent most weekends on archaeological digs discovering the culture and customs of the early Sheep Eater, Shoshone, and Arapaho tribes. A camping tent and river-chilled watermelon every weekend were a great way to grow up! Eventually I became an award-winning thirty-year professional public school educator and a mom, but I’m still a history and nature lover.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Authorship of The History Tree Series started as a concept introduced by my daughter, Tori, while walking the battlefield at San Jacinto, Texas. We brainstormed that a talking tree as an eyewitness to history-making events was a great way to engage children in learning and loving their heritage. As more volumes in the series debut, I anticipate an opportunity to reach children globally with their own local “celebritree” story teller. At this point I have written Alamo Tree, The Old Patriarch Tree, and The Dueling Oak as part of The History Tree Series
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
All the trees I write about are real, and still surviving and thriving. I like to go sit under or near the tree as often as possible. I watch the reactions of people around it, and I imagine what it has seen.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr Suess, Eric Carle, books by my coach Marcy Pusey
What are you working on now?
A new series called Plane Old History. Also there are at least another 8 History Tree Series books “under construction.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At this point, the marketing has been the most difficult. I am trying to learn how to reach out and advertise. I LOVE doing signings and do very well talking to people and selling directly because this is a beautiful book. Until quarantine I was content to just make a lot of personal appearances but now I need to expose new audiences to The History Tree Series.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write when you are inspired and don’t stop to edit or rearrange. Just put your head down, phone on silent and get the words on the page (or in the computer as it were).
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You are living the life you want to be or you would do something about it.
What are you reading now?
Published by Chandler Bolt
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have 3 series in progress so I have plenty to do. I just really need to learn marketing
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Grapes of Wrath
Alexander Hamilton
Under the Tuscan Sun
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Author Websites and Profiles
Tana Holmes Website
Tana Holmes Amazon Profile
Tana Holmes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account