Today we’d like to introduce you to Tayler Farr
Hi Tayler, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Like many others, I’ve loved reading since I was a little girl. Books have always been the hand of comfort I reach for, and the place I find both escape and solace in. When the pandemic began, I leaned even deeper into reading than before, and found a community on TikTok dedicated to books and writing alone, “BookTok.” Growing up, I’d always been eager to find friends who liked the same things I did, and finding this community during a global pandemic was a light in the dark. It started with me following people who liked similar books as I did, then making friends, then making the leap into making content of my own. I started an account under taylerreads on TikTok, then later on Instagram, and it was one of the best decisions I made. What was once a hobby that was quiet and kept to myself became a thing I shared a love over, became a thing that brought me some of my favorite people and career opportunities I never would have had otherwise.
I soon began to accumulate a small following for myself, and formed connections with both publishers and authors alike, receiving advanced reader copies of books ahead of publication date — otherwise known as ARCs. I remember being a teenage girl, anxiously awaiting the newest release in my favorite series to come out, showing up at the bookstore as soon as they opened the day of. So finding myself in the position to have books sent to me for review, months ahead of release, feels like a privilege I will never take for granted. I’ve also gotten the opportunity to speak with some of my favorite authors, such as Mona Awad and Taylor Jenkins Reid, all of which would have never happened if I hadn’t simply created a platform of my own. All of this ultimately led me to finally start working on my own book.
Being an author was always a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, but having this community and being engaged with authors face to face led me to take a serious approach to writing a novel. I’d written plenty before, but now, seeing how it’s truly possible to get published from any stage in life, I’ve taken a renewed vigor with it, and am now 300 pages into my manuscript. Ultimately, I see my love of books as a steady friend that’s quietly held my hand and walked me through life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I’m from Austin, I actually grew up in San Antonio, in a low socioeconomic area, for the majority of my childhood. With this comes obstacles in the form of education, as well as a personal lack of financial access to books and learning resources. It wasn’t until I moved back to Austin in high school, and then went to college at The University of Texas that I saw what a difference it can make for children to go to different schools in different cities. Aside from being the first person in my family to graduate high school, and the first to attend college, I knew I wanted to make a change in any way I could. During college, I spent time sending books to children in low socioeconomic areas, as well as inmates in Texas prisons. I even centered my Education degree around the disparities in education systems in America, majoring in Youth and Community Studies. Growing up, I wasn’t able to have the access to books I should have, and it only inspired me to try and change that for other children in any way I can. I constantly try to donate books to various centers and shelters, and hope for the day that children’s familial access to funds don’t inhibit them from having access to books and learning materials.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve mainly worked in family law for the past few years, but have additionally worked as a behavior technician, providing applied behavior analysis for children who have autism. In both of those fields, ironically, I think my patience and care sets me apart from others. I also do freelance work for publishers and marketing agencies for authors. I’ve worked for Amazon publishing occasionally, providing user-generated content, as well as content on my personal platforms. I also dedicate time each day to drafting my novel. Having a balance of a 9-5 while also doing freelance work for books as a content creator encourages me to keep going. The goal is to eventually reach my dream of being a full-time author, but I’m most proud of the work I’ve done with promoting books and reviewing them.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I once read somewhere that the small joys of life are just as important as the big ones. So, for example, a cup of hot cocoa on a cold night is just as important as your big trip to Europe. It sounds silly, but I really do align with that ideology. Reading with a cup of tea during early mornings makes me happy, and so does taking weekend getaways with my dog where I can quietly learn a new town and read in a cabin at night. Other things that make me happy are being with my little sisters, who truly make my world spin, and going to movie theaters, art museums and bookstores.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tiktok.com/@taylerreads
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylerreads
Image Credits
Tayler Farr
