Author Spotlight: Darlene Tallman
January 3, 2026 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
DT: I’ve always enjoyed writing short stories, etc., and my imagination as a kid would keep a show going in my head after watching. In 2015, I woke up with the prologue of Bountiful Harvest in my head, but it took a year to get through writing it and I wasn’t sure I was going to even publish it when it was done. However, encouragement from several friends had me hitting the publish button on 8/31/2016, and I honestly thought it would be a one and done. And then… the muses started talking!
CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
DT: I’d say the most rewarding thing is meeting the readers who have devoured the books I’ve written! Signings are my jam; I say I’m an extroverted introvert since I also enjoy my solitude. But signings? Being around my author friends who I’ve grown to adore while we sling ideas back and forth? It gets those creative juices flowing and I often come home with several story ideas floating around in my head.
The challenging part is staying relevant while trying to manage a good work/life balance. When I first started down this path, I wrote at all hours of the day and night. Nine years later, that’s simply not sustainable, you know what I mean? Depending on the length of the book, I can get one written in under three weeks, but it has to be edited and formatted, plus a cover designed. Over the years, I’m finding that longer preorders work for me because I have a firm deadline that I *have* to make, so it keeps me focused. Plus, I have four coauthors at this point; Liberty Parker, Erin Osborne, Nikki Landis, and my sister, Cheryl Hullett. She and I write books about the adventures our cats have while living in a two-story house with a basement apartment. While it’s focused on kids, adults enjoy the stories as well, and my cat, Harry, has become “famous”!
The biggest hurdle that I’m still overcoming over two years later is when I went in on 10/31/23 for a hip replacement (bone on bone, babay!) and the surgeon screwed up, cut my femoral artery and vein! I had to be resuscitated because of the blood loss, then spent two weeks in the hospital which was a whole ‘nother nightmare, and two weeks in rehab for PT and OT. I was gone for 34 days, came home needing a wound vac, ended up back at the hospital a week later for another week. The rehab facility exposed me to Covid, so I was isolated, and I had two separate emergency surgeries after the first screwed up one due to hematomas that developed, as well as multiple infections in the wound itself. It was initially 13.5 x 6.5 cm and so deep I could have put my fist inside. The second emergency surgery made it deeper and I spent a lovely four-ish months with a wound vac attached to my right thigh. I still have areas with zero feeling, so I’m not steady on my feet and use a cane while out and about and a wheelchair when at signings because I’m still easily fatigued. I spent most of 2024 dealing with healing and doctor appointments, home health nurses, wound care nurses, and my writing/publishing took a hit.
But 2025? I came out with a bang and am finishing out the year with a vague idea of what 2026 will hold for me!
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
DT: Most of my solo novels deal with women who have “gone through” something and each of them experiences personal growth while finding their HEA. I would have to say that the last novel I published before my father died in 2017, “Christmas With Dixie” is my favorite simply because he was so proud that I accomplished a goal I had – to be a published author.
CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
DT: It’s going to depend on what they enjoy reading, since I write shifter/PNR, motorcycle club romance, and small-town contemporary. For the small-town crowd, maybe start with What I Like About Sunday. For the MC crowd, Poseidon’s Lady. For the shifter/PNR crowd, the series I write with Nikki Landis, combines shifter with MC (the Shifted Misfits) and you’d start with A Merry Misfit Christmas.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
DT: ‘d love to see my Poseidon’s Warriors MC made into a movie (or even a Netflix show, who knows?). Actor-wise, I have zero clue because I’m not “up” on the current ones who are out there these days!
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
DT: Hmmm… write every day and remember, the first draft IS the hardest! Be open to constructive criticism from your team and be willing to trash whole sections or rewrite them if plot holes are found.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
DT: I already have some awesome coauthors, but if I had to pick someone else to write with, I have several. Jamie Begley/Sara Brianne because I absolutely love the Last Riders MC. I would also love to write with Rebecca Joyce; her books are darker than what I write, but I think it would be a good combination for the overall storyline. Plus, her stories are downright diabolical with twists and turns everywhere!
CJC: Favorite motto?
DT: Be kind. That’s it in a nutshell. These past five plus years have pretty much been a shitshow for everyone, so staying positive and being kind means I don’t put anything else on someone’s shoulders. That might not make sense, but I think most folks can agree that the mental health of our country took a major nosedive. I may have struggles, but there are others who are dealing with far worse scenarios. It doesn’t negate what I’m dealing with, but it’s not that difficult to extend grace and kindness to someone who is struggling.
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
DT: I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve not struggled with writer’s block. There are days I don’t write, but it’s because of other commitments. I always have a story running in my head. I have a folder full of manuscripts or ideas that have been started!
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
DT: Engaging.
CJC: And what is your writing process like?
DT: I primarily write in my room with multiple cats surrounding me (they try to write too but it’s not legible). The television is usually on in the background and I often talk things out or even use my hands when I’m picturing a scene in my head. My daily goal is at least 2-4 chapters on whatever manuscript I’m working on at the time, but I’ve been known to do that in the morning, take a break, then come back and work on another book in the afternoon. It’s not sustainable for a long time, but it’s possible for “a minute”.
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
DT: I have some awesome cover designers, plus author friends who will review what’s sent to me to make sure I’m not missing anything. Typically, when I’m in the story, the blurb will come to me. I might have to tweak it slightly, but it usually follows the story rather well.
CJC: Do you have authors who inspire you? And if so, who and why?
DT: Every single author friend I have inspires me in one way or another. I have several that I can pick up the phone if I’m stuck trying to describe something. Liberty, Erin, Nikki, Merin, Mariah – all of these ladies have inspired me in one way or another in my writing career.
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for this year?
DT: My last book for 2025 published on 12/15/25, and I’m already working on two that will release in February 2026 – Stupid Cupid, which is part of the 14 Days of Love and Lust collaboration, and Then Comes Baby, which is an expanded story from the SaSS St. Louis Anthology, Just a Taste.
But there’s a lot more to come – I have several coming from my chapter of the KOAMC, plus Liberty and I are cowriting the Montana chapter of the KOAMC; we’ll be setting up our preorders and cover reveals early next year if memory serves.
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
DT: Yes! Remember that your creatives – the photographers, authors, cover designers – are typically very easy to work with. Don’t support AI or pirate sites because you hurt us and at some point, the human element you enjoy so much will slowly disappear. I’d rather work with a human being to get the vision I’m looking for than trust a robot who was, in fact, taught on stolen works, mine included!
CJC: Thank you so much Darlene!
Stay up to date with all of Darlene’s latest releases here.
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