GET TO KNOW TAWNA (ON A PERSONAL LEVEL)

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I think about writing. Maybe not the process of putting my hands on the keyboard, but my brain is constantly downloading places, events, jokes, and characters for current or future books. I can’t speak for all authors, but this is why lots of us snicker at the question, “where do you get your ideas?” Most of us are drowning in them!

Okay, but you’re not always in author mode, right?
I try not to be. I love reading, cooking, daily yoga, camping, standup paddleboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, drinking wine, and taking my pup to the dog park. I may or may not think about writing while I do those things.

I heard a rumor you’re banging your business manager.
True.

Seriously? 
Yep. We’ve been bonking each other since 2011, married since 2014, and running this author biz together since 2023. We also partnered up to raise two amazing and delightfully weird kids, plus we freakin’ loooove hitting the road in our travel trailer to do the author thing from anywhere. Who says you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure?

Are you a full-time author?
As of December 2024, yep! I used to be one of those authors who swore she’d never give up the day job. To be fair, my day job as the PR and Communications Manager for my city’s tourism bureau meant I got paid really well to take journalists out snowshoeing and to blog about the best burgers in town. Suffice it to say, the job didn’t suck. But splitting my focus between two careers wore me out after 14 years, so here I am now just doing the author thing. 

What’s with all the boob jokes?
Hooters, blouse bunnies, sweater potatoes, lady balls, dumplings, chesticles…shall I go on?

Fans of Making Waves probably recognize that litany of boob terms from the book, and it’s true I’m fond of all things boob-related. When an adolescent growth spurt left me looking like a pair of olives speared on a toothpick, I realized I could either be the joke or make the joke. I like the latter, even now that I’ve grown into my assets.

For the record, I’m an equal opportunity genital jokester. Want to know 100 words for penis?

Kinda.
Pork sword, beef bayonet, joy juicer, executive staff member…

Do you do speaking engagements?
Occasionally when someone offers me food, wine, money, or some combination of the above. To offer me one or more of those things, email me at tawna at tawnafenske dot com or contact my agent.