Daphne Tatum | Updates

TTR was nominated for a Whitney Award!

Daphne Tatum — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm absolutely blown away.

These Tangled Roots is a finalist in the YA Fantasy category of the Whitney Awards!

When I first got the notification, I kept checking my email, certain that the committee would send a message saying they'd made a mistake. 😅 Now that the news has sunk in, I'm carrying this combination of intense gratitude, quiet wonder, and a sprinkling of sorrow.

I attended the Whitney awards during a previous Storymakers conference to cheer on a friend. The swag from the event included a sticker-that signature Whitney "W" on the gold background. I put it on my laptop, thinking it would be incredible to someday attend the Whitneys for my own book. It felt like an unlikely stretch dream, particularly for my debut, and yet... here we are. Cue the gratitude and wonder.

Sorrow--even a sprinkling--is an unexpected response, I know. But for me, this happy news is coexisting with grief. My big sister passed away recently, and I keep wanting to text her the news. Instead I have to imagine her reaction. (I'm betting that she and my stepdad are doing high fives in Heaven, probably with mutually smug faces. ❤️)

But joy and sorrow often co-exist, and sometimes one sharpens the other. For now, I'm leaning into joy. My debut is in the running with four amazing books by experienced authors. What greater blessing could I ask for?

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Come see me at Temple TALE!

Daphne Tatum — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'll be at Temple Public Library's celebration of writing and authors from 12:30-5 pm on Saturday! Come by to take part in book and writing related activities, meet local authors, and listen to a panel discussion on publishing. While you're there, swing by my table to talk books and create a FREE winged bookmark. If you're in the market for a new YA portal fantasy, I'll have signed copies of These Tangled Roots for sale, too!

Temple Public Library

100 W. Adams Avenue

Temple, TX 76501

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Come see me at the Central Texas Teen & Kids Comic Con!

Daphne Tatum — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Woo hoo! I get to wrap up February doing something that I love: talking about books and writing! I'll be at the Central Texas Teen & Kids Comic Con in Round Rock, Texas from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.

At 10 am, you'll find me teaching a class on storytelling and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The rest of the day, I'll be at my table selling copies of These Tangled Roots and soaking up the Comicon atmosphere. Tickets are FREE! Get yours here:

https://sites.google.com/roundrockisd.org/ctxteenkidscomiccon/home?authuser=0

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Local meet-and-greet!

Daphne Tatum — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

My first local event is coming up, and I'm excited to meet new readers, chat books, and share some sweet treats. If you're in the central Texas area, I'd love to see you at Darling Decor and More in Temple, TX!

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These Tangled Roots is available for purchase!

Daphne Tatum — Tue, 2 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Release day is almost here (Wednesday, Sept. 3) but you don't have to wait to order These Tangled Roots! Ebook pre-orders are available on Amazon, and you can also place an order directly with me for a signed paperback, complete with free book swag.

Order paperbacks direct here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YWeoJFumBVNoqbUaijQ3a5vhV8V8ij4Nll6M-GJGLkA/edit

Order the ebook on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM3BQ8W8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1FT70F79D0LYF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zMl91D7-7Biu3VnZt7P4Ng.q4DDZKB42YPpz1sW-fk_k6JmttVZGwSjzCzfGIO1VL4&dib_tag=se&keywords=these+tangled+roots+daphne+tatum&qid=1755017514&sprefix=these+tangled+roots+daphne+tatum%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-1

May your reading journey always bring you joy, my friends.

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I have a cover...and I love it!

Daphne Tatum — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It's a strange thing to create your own cover. On one hand, you have complete control (as much as your skills allow, anyway) to create exactly what's in your head. On the other hand is... well, a host of less shiny things. But the strangest part hits you on cover reveal day, when most authors are giddily gushing over the cover someone else created. "Isn't it GORGEOUS?"

That response feels a little self-aggrandizing when you're the artist. I'm not the sort of person who's comfortable tooting her own horn. Then there's the anxiety of wondering if people will even like it, after the hours and hours and hours poured into this project.

But... I DO love it. Despite the things that could likely be improved, I'm sincerely pleased with the result of my efforts. So I'll gush here--quietly--over my cover. Isn't it GORGEOUS?

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Storymakers 2025

Daphne Tatum — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I'm headed to Provo, Utah for the Storymakers 2025 writing conference! I attended in-person for the first time last year and am looking forward to several days of classes, keynotes, and connecting with other writers.

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Title reveal!

Daphne Tatum — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

On May 5, join me on Instagram for the title reveal for my upcoming debut novel, a cozy YA portal fantasy (with a side of darkness and danger). Enter my world and find:

- a chubby, clumsy, commitment-phobic faerie who's afraid of heights

- and wants to be "just friends" with her predestined soulmate

- and is in danger of accidentally lopping off her own ear with her razor-edged wings

PLUS

- a magic academy

- a cranky parrot

- a terrifying goblin king

- sentient trees with stained glass leaves

- elemental powers

- vampiric predators that drain magic instead of blood

PLUS GOOEY, FUDGY BROWNIES.

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