Tracy and Traci Virtual Event -Tuesday, 4/13!!

by with No Comment CatalystThe FieldThings That Occur to MeWriting

Tonight’s the night!

Tuesday, April 13th at 7:00pm EST

Join the fun as Australian Sci-fi Fantasy author Traci Harding and I discuss all things sci-fi, fantasy, esoteric and metaphysical. We’ll throw in a little bit about the Zero Point Energy Field, and alternative universes and states of consciousness for good measure! Zoom links below. I’m really looking forward to this and I know you’ll enjoy it.

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Out Of This World Virtual Author Event

by with No Comment CatalystThe FieldWriting

I’m thrilled to announce an Out Of This World Virtual Author Event with me and Traci Harding, Australia’s #1 Sci-Fi Fantasy author!! Join the live conversation as Traci and I discuss our books, writing, where we get our ideas and the similar themes woven throughout the stories we create.

Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00pm EST USA

One of my reviewers from the Catalyst Blog Tour last summer compared my books to Traci’s so I reached out and connected with her on social media. Our books touch on the subjects of time travel, quantum physics, the Universal Energy Field, extraterrestrials, and the esoteric and metaphysical. It was so cool to find another fiction author who writes about the things I’m interested in. An added bonus is we get along great!

Another cool thing is that Traci lives near Brisbane, Australia so when we’re chatting on the evening of Tuesday 4/13 it’ll be 10:00am in the morning on WEDNESDAY the 14th for her! It truly is a small world.

Even though she’s deep into revisions on her next book (she’s written over 22 titles!!), she graciously agreed to do this event with me. I’m extremely excited and know that you are in for a treat when you join the conversation! More details on the Zoom event below.

Want to learn more about Traci and purchase her books? Visit her website at Personally signed books by Traci Harding (allthingstraci.com.au)

There’s even more info on Traci at her publisher’s site: Traci Harding – Australia’s Best Selling Fantasy Author

Want to purchase one of THIS Tracy’s books in The Catalysts series? Click Here!

Here’s the Dirt on Traci Harding!

Traci Harding is a Science/Fantasy Novelist, published through HarperCollins/Voyager Australia and Bolinda Audio.    Her work blends fantasy, fact, esoteric theory, time travel and quantum physics, into adventurous romps through history, alternative dimensions, universes and states of consciousness.

Since its release in 1996, the Ancient Future Trilogy has had over fifty reprints, three editions and was released as an omnibus in 2014. The first book of the series made the ABC’s list of “the Most Loved Books of All Time” (2010) and “Australia’s Top 100 Homegrown Reads” (2013). TThe Ancient Future became an Australian best-seller in its first month of release, and in 2014 the omnibus shot into the Amazon US top 5 Science/Fantasy books. Every Harding novel since the Ancient Future has debuted in the top 10 on the Science/Fantasy best-sellers list soon after publication. Traci has sold in excess of a half a million books in Australia alone.

Here’s the Dirt on Tracy Richardson (that’s me!)

Tracy Richardson is the author of the young adult series The Catalysts, including Book I, The Field, and Book II, Catalyst. The Field won the Eric Hoffer award for young adult literature and was a Bronze Medalist for the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. Catalyst was a Finalist in the American Fiction Awards Young Adult category and won first place in the New Age category. Tracy has a degree in biology and her science background plays a significant role in her writing through her incorporation of both true science and science fiction. Her books are set in real Earth time with both a science fiction/paranormal theme and an environmental theme. There is no second planet.

Join Zoom Meeting – Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00pm EST USA

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Favorite Books

by with No Comment Things That Occur to Me

The last book in The Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner, Return of the Thief just arrived in the mail today!! The series is possibly my all time favorite with The King of Attolia being one of my absolute favorite books. Can’t wait to read it! My boyfriend has already started it, but he’s a fast reader. 🙂

Here are some of my favorite book series. Not in any particular order. There are more of course, but these are some of the best.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore ~ and all the other books in the series

An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart ~ Third in the Merlin and King Arthur series

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis ~ The Narnia Series

The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien ~ The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Firebrand by Kristen Britain ~ The Green Rider Series

It’s interesting that I seem to be drawn to fantasy when I write science fiction/paranormal novels.

What are some of your favorites?

Buy links to Catalyst below.

Amazon | Books-a-Million | Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Brown Books Publishing

Catalyst Cover

Endorsements for Catalyst

by with No Comment Catalyst

Just received these lovely industry endorsements for Catalyst! Also sharing a terrific review by Athena – OneReadingNurse who shares a name with a ‘character’ in the book and TOTALLY gets Catalyst! She even compares it to The Celestine Prophecy!!!

Go to the BUY page to get your copy – Ebook out now, print book in September.

Endorsements

“Tracy Richardson has created an intriguing premise that blends the worlds of sci-fi, spiritualism, and climate activism.”

—Allen Johnson, Screenwriter, The Freemason

“An ode to the responsibility of taking care of our one and only Earth, Catalyst offers an energetic and immersive experience that spotlights alternate dimensions, energy fields, and our very own human potential.”

—Genese Davis, Game Writer, Author of The Holder’s Dominion series

“Catalyst frames a portrait of collective humanity for each of us to find our likenesses rendered within a profile of the human condition.”

—Rita Kohn, Senior Writer for the NUVO Cultural Foundation

Review by Athena – OneReadingNurse

This book contains a lot of really great messages for young readers, first and foremost the environmental consequences of our actions.  Marcie and her team are dealing with an energy company that wants to expand fracking in the area, and there is a great amount of info about that and other environmental disasters.

Marcie has an interesting character arc as well.  She knows there is something about the world that she can sense, but isn’t sure what it is.  With the help of Zeke and Lorraine, two grad students on the dig, Marcie and the other teens learn about the Universal Energy Field and the implications of the fourth, fifth, and dimensions beyond.  Leo is the other main character and provides the opposing point of view on fracking, as his father works for the energy industry.   Their relationship is interesting because it pretty accurately portrays how teens have trouble with opposing viewpoints, and how to talk around issues and make compromises. I really shipped them.

I’m also Greek and ran cross country and share a name with the alien space ship…so…yeah, there are those things too.  I liked Marcie a lot.  The book reminds me of The Celestine Prophecies, which I was obsessed with in high school, and I’m really glad that this generation of young readers gets a book like this too.

The book turns from fairly normal, to paranormal, to sci-fi Jesus in a spaceship REAL quick, and I loved it.  I thought the context of spiritual leaders made sense, since it would be pretty egocentric to assume that the gods and goddesses and religious leaders are only dedicated to one planet.  The sci-fi element is definitely a bit out there in left field but it worked for me.

The book is relatively short at 248 pages.  The pacing is pretty even and I’m sad that it took me so long to start because once I did, I read it in two sittings.  I was never bored at all. I would totally and fully recommend this for teen readers as an environmentally and self-conscious read that has some great examples of conflict resolution and interpersonal relationships within the team.

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CATALYST – Quotes from the Blog Tour

by with 2 Comments Catalyst

I recently held a Blog Tour on Twitter hosted by @TheWriteReads – Thank you Dave! Here is a short list of what bloggers had to say about Catalyst. I’d love to hear what you think – love it or not so much? It definitely brings out a strong reaction in readers which is what every writer is looking for!

While I have to say I really liked this one the first thing I will say about this book is its not going to be for everybody. It is in a word … ok well two words OUT THERE. I feel that a lot will love it and a lot will hate it. – Lisa

Richardson writes a likable main character in Marcie. She’s got the makings of being a strong-willed yet kind-hearted protagonist along with other abnormal (not quite paranormal) gifts. – TR Horne

Catalyst advocates the need to care for our planet with a strong plot. The message it delivers is vital and the approach is a bit different from the other fantasies with similar theme. – Book Bug World

It has science, archaeology, telepathy and spirituality in a complex mix. The thought provoking plot makes this a intriguing and interesting read. – Lel Budge

I loved seeing Marcie figure out her abilities or sixth sense as she calls it, she was such an interesting character, smart and independent. This book was really well done and well written. – Holly Loves Books

Catalyst is a book with a strong message and big ideas. It is well written and goes in depth on fracking, environmental catastrophes, love and friendships, religion, spirituality… and the list goes on and on. I liked this one! I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to people looking for a YA supernatural adventure with a strong environmental message. – The Book Dude

Catalyst is an enlightening tale toward a better tomorrow full of magic and mysteries of the universe. The story transported me to another dimension made of beauty, light, and all that is good. – Tessa Talks Books

I enjoyed this journey of Marcie’s and hope she and the others can bring about some change before it’s too late. – A Voracious Reader

Catalyst is a book with enormous ideas. …readers of YA with a metaphysical or environmental theme will love this. – Elizabeth Tabler

Catalyst is an enlightening YA story that is not very focused on plot but more on characters, the issues at hand and what’s between the lines. It makes you think about what is being said, and about everything that’s left unsaid, and I think that’s part of what makes it so powerful. – The Artsy Reader

This was a very enjoyable book and a rare YA with a thoughtful message. I really liked the characters and the premise of a young girl and her friends using their extrasensory abilities to try to save our earth and its resources. – Maureen

Catalyst is a fun young adult book with a strong lead. I recommend it to readers who are invested in making the world a better place and to very patient sci-fi lovers, as the sci-fi part comes up later in the book. I enjoyed Catalyst and I really hope you do too! – Ari Drummer

I have to agree that there were some unlikely parts to this book, but overall it was really enjoyable and I would definitely recommend to any science fiction fans or anyone who is an advocate for climate change and are against fracking or any other harmful activities to the planet. – Ellie Read to Ramble

After reading the first few chapters, I was hooked.

The book talks a lot about the dangers of fracking and needing to move away from natural gas and oil for pure energy needs. I absolutely loved that aspect of the book! – Sarah Anderson-Pagal

4 Star Review for The Field

by with No Comment The Field

4 Star Review for The Field by Storybook Reviews

This book actually surprised me because sometimes sci-fi/paranormal books are and miss with me.  But this story of a young man’s ability to absorb the energy around him and see or sense things intrigued me.  Since this is a YA book, it wouldn’t be complete without the usual teenage drama and young love.

This story follows Eric, an up and coming goalie for the high school he attends.  He has a younger sister and brother with whom he has a good relationship.  Actually, he has a good relationship with all of his family which is refreshing to see considering what we see in the news.  The drama or angst comes from his friends and their shenanigans, which is not uncommon for a teenager.  Eric has some strange dreams and has no idea what they could possibly mean until events prove his dreams to be a reality and not just some weird dream.  

I enjoyed the science aspect of this story and the explanations of matter, energy, and harnassing it for the betterment of mankind.  I think that all of this could be possible one day, perhaps sooner than we think.  I also appreciated that the science in this book was thoroughly explained and not just glossed over.  The author definitely put her degree to good use in this book.

There is romance between several of the characters and of course northing runs smoothly as is usual with teens.  However, I felt that the advancement of the various relationships felt solid and realistic.  The relationships were subdued and did not progress too much more than kissing. 

We give this book 4 paws up and if you enjoy YA with a sci-fi or paranormal flair, you might want to pick this book up for your next read.

THE FIELD is a One of a Kind Story

by with 2 Comments The Field

Amazing review of The Field from Chick-lit Café.

The Field by Tracy Richardson is an imaginative, engaging read about soccer, teenage angst, science and the supernatural. Readers will revel in this one-of-a-kind story.

Eric Horton is an exceptional soccer player and goalie. He has the ability to perceive where the ball is heading and is able to block it with uncanny accuracy. Eventually, he begins to question and perceive that this ability could be coming from a supernatural source. He is a good student and takes an AP class in Environmental Science, taught by a new teacher from France. Then, he is lucky and manages to go out with the French teacher’s beautiful daughter, Renee. The new physicist teacher convinces Eric and his friend Will to be test subjects for some scientific research he is conducting, and Eric soon discovers that he has the natural ability to communicate through telepathy and perform astral projections.

But, when things start to go wrong with his friends, Will and Rene, he begins to doubt himself. He must pull it together and use the gifts that he never knew he had. Eric has frightening dreams and forebodings that torment him, and they are beginning to come true. But, with the use of his recent source of energy and strength, he manages to take control, and perform supernatural feats.

The Field by Tracy Richardson is a fabulous book for teens and young adults. It is filled with intrigue, mystery and sweet romance. The author has a lot of scientific knowledge and it is apparent throughout this story. This a great read for those who think outside box, and desire to explore the idea of how everything in the universe is connected, and the possibility of the paranormal and supernatural, specifically from a scientific approach.

Tracy Richardson has created realistic and relatable characters that teens and young adults will connect with. Parents will get a clue from Eric’s character and mind, as to what is going on in a teenagers head. Richardson has a unique way with words, and had me feeling like I really knew and understood Eric. Her descriptive writing pulled me in from the very first chapter and kept me fully interested all the way through to the astounding conclusion. The plot is great, and the book is full of drama, mystery and romance.

The Field is thought-provoking, entertaining and completely different from anything I have ever read. Chick-lit Cafe recommends it to those who love science fiction, the paranormal and the mysterious universal connections between energy, humans and matter. Get yourself a copy, we are confident you will love it!

Order your copy today!

Why I Wrote THE FIELD

by with No Comment The FieldWriting

The idea behind The Field came from several different places. The first influence was metaphysical. We all experience it. The hunch that turns out to be true, running into a friend that you were just thinking about, the answer to a question you were pondering popping into your head or an eerily prophetic dream. I wanted to tell a story about a regular person, a normal person, who was having these types of experiences. Most of the YA paranormal stories that I read are about teens who are extra-ordinary in some way. They have special powers that no one else possesses. In The Field, Eric is an ordinary high school soccer player who is experiencing something more. He’s connecting to The Universal Energy Field and the Collective Consciousness; something that I believe we all can do.

The second influence was all of the disaster, post-apocalyptic literature out there. I like a good dystopian story as much as the next person, but I was starting to feel as if all we could see in the future was doom and gloom. I’d like to think that we are better than that. Certainly bad things happen and bad people exist, but why not focus on what is good? It doesn’t have to be sappy or boring, either. And it isn’t necessarily easy. Eric struggles with figuring out how to tap into The Field, how to play well in the goal, and in his relationships with his girlfriend and best friend.  And it doesn’t end with him having all the answers. The process is what matters and what he learns is that he’ll never know everything and that it’s not important. He just needs to know that there is something more out there than we experience, if we just take the time to pay attention.

Environmental issues play an important role in my writing as well. I have a degree in biology and while I didn’t pursue science as a career, I am still very influenced by it. The earth is our home and I believe that we should take care of her. We live in a throw-away culture, not thinking about how our plastic bottles or lawn fertilizer will affect the world around us. I think the time is fast approaching when we’ll have to take notice. Really, it’s already here. In The Field I focus on so-called ‘Clean Coal’ and to some extent nuclear energy and compare them to other truly clean energy sources such as wind or solar and then I take it a step further. What if The Universal Energy Field is a source of energy that we can tap into? How would we do it? What is it? I don’t mean to claim that I have the answers, but there are brilliant scientists who are trying to find those answers. Again, it comes back to my belief that there is so much more in the Universe than we perceive or even imagine.

The soccer focus came naturally. Both my husband and son are soccer goal-keepers. Our son is still playing club soccer in college and my husband has coached travel and high school soccer for years. You could say that I am a soccer mom, but I wish you wouldn’t. Really. Even though I do have a van. And live in the suburbs. I will say that watching your son dive at the feet of a sprinting, teen-aged boy intent on scoring is the worst kind of torture. Let’s just say that my stomach was in knots most weekends and I spent a lot of time in the bathroom at games from nerves! In fact, our son recently sent a text message picture of himself with a broken nose from playing soccer while my husband and I were on vacation. At first we thought he’d been mugged or in a fight because there was no message accompanying the picture. Do you know what he said when we called him in a panic? “I made the save!” I did actually play one season of women’s league soccer myself, but after being drilled in the face with a ball and knocked completely off my feet, I was glad to discover that I was pregnant and could no longer play. (Okay, it was a long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. My team wore pink socks. So not my color!)

Exploring these ideas through the vehicle of story presents a unique opportunity. In fiction, I can make things up (which I love), but I can also present new ideas in a way that is more accessible and approachable. I hope that my books allow people to look beyond what they think they know is true, and, hopefully, give them a really good story to enjoy while they’re doing it.

The Field Advance Review Copies are here!

by with One Comment The Field

It’s official! The Field (October, 2013 Luminis Books) is up on the Luminis website and on Amazon and the Midpoint Trade Book site!

Advance Review Copies are here and going out to reviewers. Over the weekend I was signing books at BookExpo America (BEA)and I will be at ALA (American Library Association) in Chicago on June 29th and 30th. Here’s the cover ~designed by my son, Alex Katsaropoulos. Excited doesn’t even describe how I feel!

The Field Coverfront

At BEA signing books!

IMG_5776

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Is Eric Horton’s skill in the soccer goal due to his athletic ability, or something much, much more?

THE FIELD delves into metaphysical topics of The Universal Energy Field and The Collective Consciousness. Is THE FIELD science fiction? Paranormal? I’m not really sure. Here’s what one author had to say about it:

“The idea behind THE FIELD is a brilliant blend of soccer, science and fiction. True-to-life characters, contemporaty environmental issues, and engaging metaphysical principals skirt the edges of science fiction and magical realism in this modern coming-of-age novel.” Laurie Gray, author of MAYBE I WILL and SUMMER SANCTUARY