Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Connecticut and received a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from Western Connecticut State University.
Reading and writing have been a central part of my life since I was in grade school. I still have stacks of journals, stories, and poetry dating from first grade through college. It was a means to escape, to create, and to express myself.
After college I spent six months in Thailand as a volunteer English teacher. When I came back I moved to NYC and have been working in the media buying industry for the past three years.
Although I love my job in media, writing has always been a calling of mine. Fiction was my primary genre for many years, but after moving to the city I fell in love with writing poetry.
When I’m not reading or writing my favorite escape is the beach, preferably a clean and secluded one. There is nothing like the smell of the sea. I spent many summers by the ocean so it is only fitting my first book would be called ‘Ocean Breath’. It’s my first and only book (so far). My debut book is a collection of poetry with illustrations I drew myself.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is named ‘Ocean Breath: A Poetry Book’ and it was inspired by my past. My late teens and early twenties were years that I grew a tremendous amount while learning a lot about myself. This book includes poetry that touches upon emotions of the past, memories, love, heartbreak, and finding happiness.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the notes app on my iPhone then transfer the drafts into a Word doc where I will edit and reorganize my work. I also love using colored fonts while organizing my poetry in a Word doc.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rupi Kaur literally paved the way for self-published poets. Milk and Honey was the first poetry book I read that really made me excited for contemporary poetry. I’m also a big fan of Robert Frost. In college we had to memorize a poem and I chose Frost’s ‘Fire and Ice’ then memorized a few of his other poems for fun.
Other authors that have had a major impact on me are John Green, Jenny Han, Malcolm Gladwell, Michael Crichton, and Stephen King.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my second poetry book! As well as a non-fiction book that will give step-by-step instructions on how to write, format, and publish a poetry book of your own.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram is my main promoting website right now, but I also got a lot of love on Facebook from my close circle of friends and family on my book launch day.
My website tatumhamernik.com is up and running with a few blog posts and I have big plans to make the site a lot more comprehensive in the future!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As Stephen King says “kill your darlings”. Do not post something or publish something just because you are emotionally attached to it. Not everything you write will be amazing and that is okay.
Read, read, read. All genres, as much as you can! You can learn so much from other writers.
Lastly do not give up! And try not to compare your beginning with someone else’s middle or end of their writing journey. It is a lot of time, work, and effort. Just stick with it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world and there will always be someone who hates peaches. Writing is so subjective, if someone doesn’t like what you wrote it doesn’t always mean it was bad and someone else might love it!
What are you reading now?
A Stephen King book of course! This one is Needful Things. I switch between reading Stephen King, poetry, non-fiction, and fiction books throughout the year. In the Fall or Winter it’s usually Stephen King for spooky season.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books! Being an author has been a dream of mine forever, so after publishing my first book I can’t wait to do more!
I am also looking to expand my reach in the writing community. I have a solid group on Instagram of fellow writers and book lovers. Getting to know them has been so fun and I can’t wait to meet more people.
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?
This is an amazing question!
Looking For Alaska by: John Green
Catcher in the Rye by: J. D. Salinger
The Summer I Turned Pretty by: Jenny Han
I think it would be too scary to bring a Stephen King or Michael Crichton book with me on a desert island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tatum Hamernik Website
Tatum Hamernik Amazon Profile
Tatum Hamernik’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile