Tanya Willard

As a young child, I struggled with reading and writing. My mother always encouraged reading, from the time I was born. Once I learned to read, at age 8, I devoured series like Nancy Drew, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the Babysitter’s Club. I grew up in the military with my dad being a linguist. We would host international nights which also ignited my love for languages, writing and other cultures. Being schooled at home, there was plenty of time to read. I started writing for others around age 11 and won competitions for young writers.  

 

I graduated high school in 2003 and, not wanting to be tied down to a job or location, began traveling as a volunteer which continued throughout my twenties. I volunteered in orphanages in Peru, a village in Papua New Guinea, a Kibbutz in Israel, and an Ashram in India. I lived in intentional communities in Palo Alto and Seattle, furthering my learning about communal living. In between my travels I earned my BA from Appalachian State University in North Carolina and my MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in England. I earned awards for poetry and art during my BA, including publications in literary journals and magazines. 

 

In my thirties I spent much of my time working with children in public schools as a teacher, tutor and Minecraft instructor. In 2018 I moved to Kauai to help raise my nephew, Jasper. Reading to him and getting him interested in books became a favourite pastime. I taught in elementary schools in Kauai, working with autistic youth and in general education. In 2025 I applied to study Creative Writing for Young People at Bath Spa university in England and was accepted. I am currently studying for my second MA there and hoping to pursue a PhD following graduation.