Getting To Know M.L. Tarpley

Today we welcome children’s author M.L. Tarpley. Morgan will become a regular contributor to the blog this year.

Morgan’s new book is Maylie of the Highlands and it is out now.

Can you tell us something others may not know about you?

I’ve had quite a few hobbies over the years. Some have stayed longer in my world than others—fencing, scuba diving, movie extra, amateur boxing. I also ate a termite on a dare while trekking through a Costa Rican jungle by an active volcano. That was certainly a one-off situation I assure you. Lol

As a child did you have a favourite book or author?

My favorite book as a child was definitely “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster. It’s a quirky and imaginative read with equally quirky and imaginative illustrations. I always longed for a little car and tollbooth that I could drive through and off on an amazingly strange adventure.

I also loved “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” by Richard and Florence Atwater and the Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin and so many others.

Did any of your favourite authors growing up influenced you?

I’d say it was a mix of authors and their characters that influenced me. I really loved the character of Mr. Popper in Mr. Popper’s Penguins. I read the book for the first time in fifth grade and fell in love with this fantastic story. It’s about an ordinary man with an extraordinary dream and after a penguin is literally dropped off on his doorstep the shenanigans ensue! Such a fun and imaginative read.

I wanted to be Mr. Popper with his penguins. What adventures they had! I love how inventive and fun the authors had to be for such a tale that was also wrapped in traces of history with many explorers adventuring to frozen lands where they encountered penguins for the first time.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Ever since I could hold a pencil or pen, I’ve been a writer. It started with scribbles that were in no way words on paper, but I’d point to them and read what it said aloud.
I would make up stories and create little books out of them. The first time though I really considered becoming an author was when an actual author came to my school when I was nine. I thought, “Hey! She’s a real author, and I can be one someday too!”

Outside reading and writing do you have any hobbies or passions?

I absolutely love history, which in turn fuels my love for researching genealogy. That’s one pastime I enjoy when I have time. I also really love to travel the world especially the United Kingdom.

I’m always dreaming of where I’d like to travel to next whether in person or in fiction. I also enjoy acting and singing.

Where did you get the inspiration for Maylie of the Highlands and the series?

The idea for the series started a few years ago with the idea of a young American girl who travels around the world. Right away, I knew the first book would be set in England because the book had to feature a maze I visited there at Leeds Castle.
The first book in the series, MAYLIE AND THE MAZE, released in October 2020. The second book, MAYLIE’S LUCK OF THE IRISH, released in April 2021 and is set in Ireland. The third book, which released last week, is MAYLIE OF THE HIGHLANDS and is set in Scotland.

I’m writing these books to show kids that you can go after your dreams no matter what roadblocks stand in your way. Throughout this series, I want kids to have a chance to travel the world through fiction and learn along the way. I’ve tapped into my own first-hand experiences from traveling to over a dozen countries and filtered them through Maylie’s eyes. I also wanted to write a book that could by enjoyed by kids and grown-ups a like, especially as a fun bedtime read!

What do you hope children take out of these books?

That no matter what dreams you have and challenges you face they can be overcome whether it be finishing a first story or facing the uncertainty of a new experience or a bully. You have to believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who are positive and encouraging. I also hope they enjoy the quirky and wonderful illustrations by the talented illustrator Monica Bruenjes (www.artistmonica.com) and have a fun adventure alongside Maylie.

Did you get to visit the places the books are set to do some research?

With the Maylie series, I have started with revisiting my trips to the book locations. That was the foundation of the series idea. To write about the places I have actually been. I have been to every country that will be featured in the series and the majority of the location there, so I started with my photographs and travel journal and the storyline started growing from there. I also ordered books about the locations to read up on the history, visited their official websites, and contacted employees at several sites to ask questions.

Will there be more books in the series?

Definitely. I have quite a few more books planned in the series. I’m currently writing the next book, which will release in spring 2022. I plan to release two books a year. I am also working on a few picture books and a chapter book series to publish in the near future.

A fun question. If you could have a meal with any three living people in the world who would you choose and why?

Ooh…what a great question! I’d have to say:
-Queen Elizabeth II because what a legacy she has had and how interesting to ask her about her life

-Hugh Jackman because he seems like a lovely fellow and is one of my favorite actors

-and author Kate Morton because she is one of my favorite authors

I think Kate would help me come up with thought-provoking questions and help carry a rather fascinating conversation with the queen and Hugh. Also, she’s Australian like Hugh so that would be a great connection.

Finally can you tell us about your latest release. Where can buy the book and where can we find you on the web?

Here’s what MAYLIE OF THE HIGHLANDS is all about:

Will Maylie survive haggis, the Highland Games, and a crush?

Maylie’s next stop is Scotland—a land of tartans, kilts, bagpipes, and a new crush? When she meets 12-year-old Kieran MacGregor, a volunteer at Glamis Castle, she forgets all about Alex, the guy back home she has liked since kindergarten.

The more time she spends with Kieran, the more she likes him. But she’s not as secretive about it as she thinks. When she takes some embarrassing photos of her brother, he threatens to tell Kieran about the crush.

Furthermore, a local girl at the Young Archaeologist’s Camp has a crush on Kieran too and devises her own plan to guarantee Maylie’s trip to Scotland ends in disaster.

You can purchase a signed copy of the Maylie books from me on my website or purchase a paperback or eBook through Amazon.

Readers can find out more about me and my books on my website, www.mltarpleybooks.com, or on social media (links on my website).