Writer Wednesday: The Generous Heart of T.K. Richardson

Often writers can be generous sorts, using their words to back causes and to raise money for charities. (They are a very cool, often socially aware group. Love it!) T.K. Richardson is no exception. In fact, I think this doll could be a poster girl for generosity.

You may recall T.K. from a previous interview some time ago while she was searching for an agent for her fantastic young adult book “Return the Heart.” Since then, she has been very busy writing and selling her books on her own. Not only that, she’s been putting her heart into a few worthy causes.

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Without further ado, here’s T.K.:

You’ve been incredibly busy since the last time you were a guest. You have self-published your YA novel, “Return the Heart” and have book two (“Shield the Heart”) in that series coming out later this year as well as a novelette, “Courtship and the Kremlin.” You have also published a cookbook for teens (“Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate”), an anthology of poems (“Imagine: Poems and Short Stories”), created a Writers Resource Directory and a nonprofit organization called Partners In Print. As well, you will be appearing in an anthology of short stories called “Love, Me” which is due out this week.

“Love, Me” is an anthology of short stories of young love. Were you romantic as a teen?

Oh, I don’t know… I think all teens are to some degree. But Love, Me is really a special project. The profits will go to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for their work with kids in the foster care system. It goes along quite nicely with my nonprofit Partners in Print, a book donation program for foster children. Love, Me features some fantastic YA authors, too: Sarah Tregay, Shana Norris, Ela Lond, Amy Kinzer, Emily Ann Ward and me. I’m excited to see it come out this week. It’s an anthology of short romance stories for teens and it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day.

How does a teen cookbook differ from a ‘regular’ cookbook? What were some challenges in making this book for teens? (And I’m sure people want to know: Are there any secret family recipes/family favourites inside?)

I think what makes Simmer unique from a regular cookbook is that the recipes are set up differently. They’re the same recipes that I use, only I have the directions set up in step-by-step easy to follow ways. Where an adult would know what to do from one step to the next, beginning cooks don’t. And I think that’s what sets Simmer apart. And yes, there are some secret family recipes in the cookbook! The Peanut Butter Pies recipe is from my mother in law. It’s a family favorite at all holiday gatherings and I highly recommend it.

“Return the Heart” and “Shield the Heart” have a touch of Russian history. You are interested in some Russian authors as well. How did you become interested in Russian history?

When I first started reading Russian lit I was hooked. I spent more than 10 years reading nothing but Russian authors and literature to understand the finer points and the ‘hidden’ meanings to many of the stories I had to study their history to find out. After so many years, it was just a part of me, and I think this just naturally came out in my writing. But using Russian lit and history in a series for young adults was a surprising turn of events. I hope the stories I write will draw my readers to look deeper into the books that have inspired me.

Tell us a bit about Partners in Print.

Partners In Print is a grass roots book donation program that began in March of 2010 with an initial book drive that produced 422 books. Since that time we donated over 2,000 books to kids in foster care and we’ve recently opened our very own little book cottage where children in the foster care system can come and “shop” for free books. It’s truly a labor of love that keeps me connected to this silent community.

How can readers get involved with Partners In Print?

Our main goal is to encourage everyone to donate in their own communities. Most places have agencies that help children in the system and Partners in Print would like to reach all children. But we can only do that with the help of people in every community. It’s so easy to gather a few books together and donate, too. It promotes local communities and helps some of the most forgotten children. But for those who are unable to do that, we gladly take book donations and give them away on your behalf. Our mailing address is Partners In Print PO Box 82432 Bakersfield CA USA 93380

Foster children seem to have a special place in your heart with Partners in Print donating books to children in foster care, as well as donating the proceeds from the short story anthology (“Love, Me”) going to those who advocate for foster children in the courts. How did your passion for foster children come about?

My husband and I were foster parents for many years and during that time we cared for more than 100 abused and neglected children. Since we no longer foster, Partners In Print is our way of continuing to help children in out of home placement. It’s our way of still caring for them. Whether it’s donating books, or lending my writing to a book where the proceeds help their cause – it’s all with one goal in mind: give children hope, give them a voice, and give them a strong foundation to grow from. Books are a wonderful tool in the process.

What is on your bedside table right now?

My Bible, Crime and Punishment by Dostoevky, and Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol.

As a lover of play and fresh air, I ask, what is your thing to do out of doors?

Oh, I’d have to say taking long walks outdoors. I just love soaking in the views.

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Thanks, T.K.!

I have to say, T.K. is one of the busiest writers I know. You can find out more about her books and ordering them right here. You can also visit her gorgeous website and blog. Partners In Print as well as her Writer’s Resource Directory (you might even find a blog post written by yours truly!).

P.S. Love the cover designs!

Book Review: Return the Heart

Book Review for: Return the Heart
By: TK Richardson

You may recall TK Richardson (Website & Blog) from our author swap some time back. Well, guess what? She’s been busy writing and publishing her first book, Return the Heart. And you know what? It’s fabulous. This is a gal who has invested in her skill and it shows.

Lilly, the heroine, is well-developed, as is the rest of her ‘gang’ of new friends that have special, top secret talents. You know what motivates them, what their internal conflicts are, and all that high-tech writerly mumbo-jumbo. In other words, you totally get why each character acts the way they do and totally understand (and empathize) with the push-pull they feel at any given moment.

So, what’s up with Lilly anyway? Well, Lilly can read hearts. That is, she can look at someone (or a photo of someone) and read their feelings, histories, desires, and most telling, their secrets–good and bad. Her friends have similar, but unrelated talents, and together they mesh to create a powerful group that is wanted by agencies (both good and bad) around the world. But I’ve already told you enough. TK slowly doles out information in a way that intrigues the reader and causes them to want more and I don’t want to spoil that for you.

Watch for more from TK, and more in the series. (After reading the last chapter I emailed her and asked, so you totally led up to a sequel–is there one? The answer is yes. Yay!)

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Limbo for a Prize

TK Richardson is having a party to celebrate the upcoming release of her book, Return the Heart! And everyone is invited! I know, and it’s happy hour AND it’s Friday. AND for Americans it is a long weekend. AND there are prizes. AND I am doing the limbo over there! I know! You didn’t know I could limbo, did you? So go on, go check it out! You could win some writerly yummies. And if you aren’t a writer, they are still yummy.

See you there!