About the Author:  T.M. Taylor

Second Earth the Draeus

Inspiration sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. It happened several years ago to T.M. Taylor, author of the book, Second Earth the Draeus.

Upon becoming a grandmom, her granddaughter Preslee always asked grandma to, “Tell me a story.”  And no matter how many nursery rhymes or fairy tales she read to her; Preslee always wanted to hear grandma’s stories. So, T.M. decided to start writing down all the tales she was making up for her. Who would have guessed a book would emerge from having imaginative fun with your granddaughter?

Second Earth the Draeus is an entertaining fantasy fiction book that takes place on a planet where a Pangaea-like phenomenon occurs every 100 years with the entrance of the volatile storm Draeus. All civilizations living upon the planet must prepare for it, and survivors must then learn to live together with new topography and new neighbors!

It’s a fun and interesting read that garnered an Honorable Mention in the Young Adult category in the Hollywood Book Festival 2023. A TikTok challenge in regard to the book was launched in December, 2023.

So, let’s get a little insight into the life of T.M. Taylor, a self-published author at the tender age of 65.

She spent her pre-school years in Florida before her family moved to a small town near the Chain of Lakes area in northern Illinois, just south of the Wisconsin border. (She still has the ‘Flummadiddle Award’ she won for her writing in middle school; fictional stories she had written and read out loud every week in class at her teachers request). Upon graduating high school, she immediately moved to St. Petersburg, Florida and made it her home for over 25 years.

T.M. (Tee or Toni to family and friends) welcomed the addition of a son, Aaron in 1984. Sometimes life happens, and remarried in 1992, embracing second husband, James and step-daughter Sasha into their lives.

Through the years, T.M. found time in between a busy schedule to attend writing classes at St. Petersburg College. After several years in the dental field working for several Endodontist specialists, she eventually pursued a career in marketing. She became a Special Services Coordinator as a copywriter, secondary photographer, and managing editor of the monthly newsletter for a corporation that managed retirement communities. Next was a move to Inverness, Florida where another copywriting position at another retirement community in Ocala kept her busy for several years.

Taking a break from work and being empty nesters at the time, she and her husband traveled extensively, out west and to Alaska, mostly by RV. During that time, she became a contributing feature/human interest writer for Destination Tampa Bay Magazine. However, writing a book was never very far from thought, and when the stories she had told to granddaughter Preslee began emerging into a novel, well, she just kept going.

Ever have a dream, but think “hey I’m too old to start now.” Well, T.M. had that dream and tossed thoughts like being too old to start it out the window.  “It took a lot of research and a lot of work, but it was something I love to do! So, find something you really enjoy and get started, no matter what your age! I think there’s the ability in everyone to succeed.”

Now residing in the north Georgia mountains, T.M. is working on the sequel to the Draeus, and has designed some merchandise to coincide with the lands in the book. The TikTok Challenge ends February 29^th, 2024, but plans on other contests in the future.

You can find the book Second Earth the Draeus by T.M. Taylor on Amazon.com. There is also a link on her website at SecondEarthLives.com, where you can check out some unique names and their meanings, and explore the new continent of a PD 32 (Post Draeus 32) fantasy map! Teh Monaeali Ahkhe,  ya’ll.

“Writing is a passion, my heart, and soul. I truly enjoy the characters and places I write about. I hope you find my creativity a source of fun and entertainment for you, because I sure enjoyed writing it!” T.M. Taylor

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