Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
BARB TAUB is a humor and urban fantasy author, caffeinated AussieDog wrangler, Yankee expat, and travel junkie. Following her daring daytime escape to England, Barb has lived in a medieval castle, a Hobbit House, and a magic Scottish Isle.
She’s written seven books, including her 4-book Null City (urban fantasy) series, her two-book humorous travel memoir series Your Camels Are Here, and her collection of family humor, Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies.
You can find her online at https://barbtaub.com. And the trailer for Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies is available at https://youtu.be/o9tVXCM73WE
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A priest, a minister and a rabbi were talking about when life begins. The priest said: “Life begins at conception.” The minister said: “Life begins when the fetus is viable.” The rabbi said: “Life begins when the kids leave home and the dog dies.”
While this joke has innumerable versions, this is the one Great-Uncle Herbie told when we got married. He and Great-Aunt Fanny also told us not to eat in restaurants with plants (they’re put there to hide something), not to give each other presents with handles, and especially not to not let our kids outnumber us.
Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies documents results of breaking every one of Great-Uncle Herbie’s life rules. I like to think he would have approved.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Since the clock says 1:30 AM and I’ve just gotten up, I admit that I love writing at night. When my children were small, it was the time when I had gotten some sleep, but things were still quiet enough for me to think. I’m not sure I have any rituals, but whenever I get stuck, I my dog is always willing to step out to the garden for a bit of ball fetching. She’s all about taking it for the team!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I always wonder if I should say something intellectual here like “Oh, I’m just rereading Sartre’s Being and Nothingness because I get new insights every time…” But there is a good chance that people who know me will read this and I don’t want to be responsible for their medical issues if they’re laughing that hard.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up and editing Book 5 of my Null City (urban fantasy) series, and sneaking in clandestine writing on my next project, the story of an American mom who moves into a 1000-year-old castle in the north of England.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When I started writing, I was told by my editor that I absolutely had to have a blog. I’m not sure how effective it has actually been in spreading the word about my writing, but I’ve met the most amazing group of people ever.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Dorothy Parker said, “If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.”
There are a lot of young writers out there, so it might be hard to hide all the bodies. My advice is definitely to stick with Elements of Style. (And make sure you know the correct uses of your/you’re, or I can’t promise anything about the shooting.)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s so hard to share your new work, but the best chance for success is to have as many people as possible read it—preferably people to whom you’re not related. Just remember that you’re the final judge when they offer comments.
What are you reading now?
I always wonder if I should say something intellectual here like “Oh, I’m just rereading Sartre’s Being and Nothingness because I get new insights every time…” But there is a good chance that people who know me will read this and I don’t want to be responsible for their medical issues if they’re laughing that hard.
The truth is that I’m in the middle of Shauna Reppert’s latest book in her Ravenscroft series, and also screaming for my critique partner to send more chapters from his incredible WIP.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing. But half of my writing involves travel, which has been on hold from the pandemic. So lots of trip planning ahead too!
What is your favorite book of all time?
I have three favorites:
* Good Omens
* whichever book I’m halfway through reading
* whichever book I’m halfway through writing
Author Websites and Profiles
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