The Catalysts Book III Title Reveal!

by with No Comment CatalystEnvironmentExtraterrestrialsPrecipiceScience StuffThe FieldWriting

Title Reveal!!!

Book III in The Catalysts Series title is…

Precipice!!

It’s an apt title because in the story (and in real life?) humanity is on the precipice of disaster or salvation due to Climate Change and the havoc our activities are wreaking on Earth. Marcie and Eric and their friends are trying to be Catalysts for change with the help of other-worldly beings. I think you’re going to love it!

I’m working with my publisher, Brown Books Publishing, to come up with a release date. It’s still in the revision phase but getting closer to completion. I’ve done five (!) rounds of revisions already and it’s out with Beta-readers at the moment. After this round of revisions, it’ll be off to Brown Books for two to four more passes of revisions and corrections. Whew!

Hopefully, Spring 2023 release!

Signs and Messages from the Universe

I’m reading Signs – The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson. It’s about how our loved ones communicate with us from the other side and how we’re all connected – through the collective consciousness (read about it in my books). My mom passed away 12 years ago and sends me messages all the time. I decided to ask her to send me a sign – a blue hummingbird.

She loved hummingbirds and the color blue. It’s early in the season and we don’t have our hummingbird feeders our yet and haven’t seen any around the house. I was checking out at the dentist later that morning and on the partition between me and the front desk staff was a decal – of a blue hummingbird!

I relayed the story to the staff, and they gave me the decal. It’s on the window of my office now to always remind me of my mom and how she’s still around on the other side helping me and guiding me.

Do you receive signs and messages from the Universe?

Check out The Catalysts series here!

Take care and keep reading!

The Catalysts Series – Book III

by with No Comment CatalystWriting
Book III First VERY Rough Draft

The first draft of Book III in The Catalysts series is done! Over 97,000 words – 340 pages. I’m actually through with the first editing pass thanks to input from the editorial staff at Brown Books. Revising is sooooo much easier than writing from scratch; at least for me. Once I have my world and story built, I can move around in it and make changes. But not right away. I need a second set of eyes to look at it and tell me areas that need work. I just can’t see it right away as I’m too close to the project. Once I get the feedback, though, it becomes obvious to me what I need to do and I’m off to the races. Thank you to Sterling for her stellar input! It’s such a gift to have the support of my team at Brown Books!

Book III is different from the previous two as it’s from both Marcie and Eric’s perspectives. The two storylines are separate but concurrent and connect at points throughout the book. It’s almost like writing two novels. So at about page 310 I realized I was nowhere near being done. I could have gone on for another 300 pages. That means Book III ends in a cliff hanger for both storylines and ideas for Book IV are already percolating in my mind. I’d hoped to get a bit of a break from writing, but the muse is working in my subconscious! I’ll be back at writing on Book IV as soon as revisions on Book III are complete.

Writing for me is a lot like tapping into the flow of consciousness that my characters experience. It’s as though the story is already there and I’m uncovering it like an archaeologist. Not to compare myself to Michaelangelo, but I think he said the statues he created were already present in the marble and he was simply revealing them. I totally understand that.

I also sometimes feel like I’m getting assistance from my mom, who’s on the other side. She was a lover of words and a writer in her own right. Maybe she’s my ‘ghost-writer’? 🙂

Here’s the first page so far – revisions will still happen as the manuscript will go through three or four more editorial passes before it’s complete. What do you think?

I have a couple of ideas for the title but I’m not ready to reveal them just yet. Maybe I’ll do a reader poll.

We’re looking at a Spring 2023 pub date. Fingers crossed!

Twin Cities Book Fest

by with No Comment CatalystEnvironmentScience StuffThe Field

This Saturday, October 16th I’ll be a Featured Author at the Twin Cities Book Fest! If you‘r in the area come and see me between 10:00am to 5:00pm!!

It’s a Science Fair format so I’ll be focusing on the environmental themes in The Field and Catalyst. This is a great format for me as I love engaging with readers and talking about my books. Here’s what I have planned for my booth:

  • My computer will be running a video showing how a homeowner can light her water on fire from methane released during fracking.
  • I have a kinetic energy ball to demonstrate the Universal Energy field,
  • I created fliers on how to be a Climate Activist
  • Examples of reusing and upcycling – baskets made of candy wrappers and shorts with visible mending
  • My Be a Climate Activist, Be a Catalyst for Change banner

The Environment in Fiction and Fact

What can you do to be a catalyst for change? Environmental degradation can feel daunting, but there are all kinds of things YOU can do that help care for our planet and make a more sustainable future. Come meet YA fiction author Tracy Richardson to learn about her new book Catalyst and how fictional narrative and real life facts can both help us think about our environment more complexly.

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 and a Bronze Medal for the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, and was a Finalist in the Science Fiction category for the American Fiction Awards. Catalyst won the New Age category and was a Finalist in the Young Adult category for the American Fiction Awards. Tracy has a degree in biology, and her science background plays a significant role in her writing; her books include science themes such as quantum physics, collective consciousness, and the universal energy field, as well as strong environmental themes. There is no second planet. Tracy lives in Indianapolis and enjoys crafting, cooking, and being outdoors. Visit her at www.tracyrichardsonauthor.com.

Traci Harding Endorsement – The Catalysts Series

by with No Comment CatalystScience StuffThe FieldWriting

I’m very excited to share this endorsement for The Catalysts Series (The Field, Book I and Catalyst, Book II) from Traci Harding, Australia’s #1 Sci-Fi Fantasy author!!!

More than just stories, Tracy Richardson weaves quantum theory into the everyday to life altering effect. What may seem a fun tale is a subtle lesson in creating your own reality. Essential reading for young adults who desire to understand and master the skills to pre-pave their own future.

~ Traci Harding author of “The Ancient Future Series”

Traci and I did an author talk last April and really bonded over the similar themes in our novels. It’s been so exciting to find another author who writes about conscioussness, quantum physics and intention. These are just a few of Traci’s novels – she’s written over 20!!

Traci introduced me to fellow Australian author, A.K. Wilder, (aka Kim Falconer) author of The Path of the Stray, The Road to the Soul and most recently her new YA novels, Crown of Bones and the upcoming Curse of Shadows. Her books also deal with issues of environmental destruction, telepathy and consciousness but in a totally different way the The Catalysts series.

Happy reading everyone!! I know I’ve got a TBR pile a mile high!

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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94872057839

Meeting ID: 948 7205 7839

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,94872057839# US (Houston)

+16699006833,,94872057839# US (San Jose)

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

https://zoom.us/j/94872057839

Meeting ID: 948 7205 7839

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,94872057839# US (Houston)

+16699006833,,94872057839# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 948 7205 7839

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/auHtAHFhc

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.