Today we’d like to introduce you to Tal Good

Tal, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I started where every young artist/writer/musician starts, with wonder. You see a picture, read a book, or hear a song that truly inspires you.

It’s hard to recall the first pieces I connected to, but I’d definitely have to say Edward Gorey had an effect on me. His dark drawings and bizarre ways of telling a story made me want to draw comics. My sister got me into faerie folklore with Brian Froud books when we were young, so I’d say those two combined with my love of anime/manga helped me to create the Land of the Ever Young graphic novels.

I’ve always loved reading, especially fantasy, because books can take you anywhere imaginable. After working as a special-ed teaching assistant for middle schoolers, I really wanted my books to empower young readers and show them that heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities. I am so excited that the first book of my middle grade series, The Secret Wing, is being published through Caffeinated Terrier Press this week. The books focus on a group of young students solving mysteries involving folkloric creatures and cryptids native to Massachusetts.

As far as music is concerned, my parents had me taking piano lessons from when I was 7 years old, but it wasn’t until high school when I realized how much I liked the bass. I played bass guitar for a number of years in a Punk Rock band called She Eats Planets, before moving to playing upright bass. I found some success performing in pirate garb at Renaissance Faires with Below the Gaff and now with Roving Corsairs. After playing swing music with the Catnip Junkies, I decided to start my own blues/jazz/swing group called Haunted by Possums, where we play all kinds of tunes including 3 songs written by me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Everyone has their struggles. When it comes to artwork and writing, I am always trying to find minutes here and there to work on something. I was definitely reprimanded at a job or two for doodling on occasion, but it’s difficult to balance work that pays for you to live and art that makes life worth living. As far as music, it’s always been tough, because it’s a collaboration of busy people who are also trying to balance everything in their lives and make time for something they love.

And, of course, you’re going to meet some negative people who vocally hate everything you do. I find these people to be the ones who don’t actually create anything themselves; they are simply trying to tear down everything around them. It took me a bit of time to realize I had to ignore them and keep creating, or they will drag you down with them.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am likely most recognizable from playing bass. I have had people come up to me ten or more years after seeing one of my bands and ask if I’m that pirate bass player or if I still play with one of the groups I’ve played with. When I was with She Eats Planets, we played over 200 shows in one year, and I played countless shows in Below the Gaff for over ten years. Since the upright bass is such a large instrument, people tend to remember it. The fact that I dress as a pirate in some bands is also memorable.

Otherwise, I’m currently known for being the artist and writer of The Land of the Ever Young series, the author of Faerie Blood: Song of the Lark, and now The Secret Wing series.

What matters most to you? Why?

My family matters most to me. I have two young kids and a wonderfully supportive husband.

I can’t help but create, whether it’s art, songs, or writing, I have to get it out. I hope to inspire my son and daughter to do the same.

Pricing:

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNV86GXN?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100
• https://www.amazon.com/Land-Ever-Young-Book-1/dp/B08R9Y5X1H
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RZ4JML7/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=OBQrB&content-id=amzn1.sym.7d2923e8-7496-46a5-862d-8ef28e908025&pf_rd_p=7d2923e8-7496-46a5-862d-8ef28e908025&pf_rd_r=TGKW7T4J3ZAF4Z7QRCHT&pd_rd_wg=cAvj4&pd_rd_r=dce93a23-a3d9-410a-b277-09fabcfde519
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SP8HMVM/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=SXjSp&content-id=amzn1.sym.7d2923e8-7496-46a5-862d-8ef28e908025&pf_rd_p=7d2923e8-7496-46a5-862d-8ef28e908025&pf_rd_r=D4Z0K8BEX4YT0S4DVWX8&pd_rd_wg=lzBr0&pd_rd_r=d3f38168-9a12-43a0-80ae-7a3341f5434e
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZH56W6/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=nAylZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.7d2923e8-7496-46a5-862d-8ef28e908025&pf_rd_p=7d2923e8-7496-46a5-862d-8ef28e908025&pf_rd_r=F6QY77CKXCGBD31W97VV&pd_rd_wg=pMfOU&pd_rd_r=f06405d0-c591-4f10-9cee-eaf5ae1c42be

Contact Info:

• Website: http://imminentbanterpublishing.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/admiralbowman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE-cQvXJ4ZTX9SX4l22EnQw