Hey There

Tamara Harvell began writing at a young age, fueled by a vibrant imagination. Before the digital age, she either hand-wrote or typed her poems and short stories. Excelling in English, she was encouraged in eighth grade to pursue teaching, which she did. In 2007, Tamara initially interviewed for an English tutor position but ended up teaching at Tulsa Community College, where she has taught reading, writing, and composition for seventeen years and tutored for eighteen. While at TCC, she earned a master’s in Reading/Literacy from Oklahoma State University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University, graduating summa cum laude. Currently, she is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing from SNHU while writing her first novel, My Faerie Tale.

 

Tamara's creative pursuits are as rich and diverse as her academic journey. Her literary work ranges from heartfelt poetry to captivating short stories, many inspired by her own experiences. While earning her bachelor’s degree, she minored in creative writing and produced several short stories and poems that served as both creative expression and emotional outlets.

 

Tamara began two novels: one a non-fiction exploration of her mother's life and the other a tale of post-apocalyptic survival. In addition to these projects, she has published a poem titled “Fall of Memory” and a short story called “A Summer Walk” in a literary journal, and she has also edited works for other writers. “Fall of Memory” poignantly reflects her grandparents' relationship as her grandfather faced Alzheimer's, while “A Summer Walk” recounts a chilling childhood experience of narrowly escaping a kidnapping, both featured in the Tulsa Review at Tulsa Community College. Her passion for storytelling continues to grow, inspiring ideas for a series of children’s books and a trilogy of faerie stories.

 

Tamara has also contributed scholarly articles to the Oklahoma Association for Developmental Education Pedagogy Papers. Alongside her writing, she has lent her editorial skills to projects like an OER guide called The Insiders: Information Literacy for Okies Everywhere for the librarians at TCC and Tales from the Cornfield, a collection of short stories for author Tim Cornman.

 

Now, Tamara is fully immersing herself in her true passion—crafting novels that she hopes will captivate and resonate with readers. Growing up in an era before the internet, she delved deep into her dreams and her own imagination. As a child, she conjured vivid imaginary friends and fantastical scenarios, leading to dreams that continue to inspire her. Her early belief in faerie visitations sparked the creation of her debut novel, My Faerie Tale, inviting readers to journey beyond the mundane into a realm of enchantment and wonder.