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These Students at Blytheville Middle School…

April 5, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Accidental Salvation at Blytheville Middle School

Y’all, these students at Blytheville Middle School…this is what it’s all about. You never know where this crazy life will take you, and how one decision can change you in ways you never anticipated, but that’s how writing has been for me. The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee has led me to doors I would have otherwise never opened. Beyond those doors? The road I almost completely missed. For me, it’s about so much more than the book itself. It’s about the people and the relationships and the surprises along the way.

My own accidental salvation…

I was invited to Blytheville Middle School by Amy Harmon who teaches there. She’d been reading Accidental Salvation to her class and they were enjoying it. Literacy is my thing, so I was happy to go and provide a few books for her classroom. I read from a particular chapter I thought the students might relate to—Gracie Lee was at school, bored, unable to concentrate on her assignment, thinking about how she’d been grounded at the end of summer. We’ve all been there, right?Continue Reading

The whole television thing…

March 30, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Yesterday I was invited to talk about The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee with Alyse Eady, local THV11 Little Rock news anchor, and food blogger Debbie Arnold (Dining with Debbie). The whole television thing was interesting and fun and completely new to me. I had no idea what to expect which was a good thing because I didn’t have a chance to overthink it or stress too much. Our segment was live. No do-overs.

THV11 - Yes, I travel with cotton

Why, yes, I travel with cotton.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch it, CLICK HERE.

WHV11 The WholeTelevisionThing

When it was over, I had no idea what I said. All I could think about was the smell of that meatloaf right underneath my nose. Continue Reading

I’m gonna be on television! (and other book news to peruse)

March 22, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

I'm gonna be on television!I have a bit of book news for you.

Television:

On Tuesday, March 29, I’ll be on the THV11 morning news segment (Little Rock) with my friend Debbie Arnold (Dining with Debbie). We’ll be talking about The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee and cooking up a few of Gracie Lee’s favorite recipes. Fun!Continue Reading

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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