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Tech alumna finds success as fiction writer
Tech alumna Tara Cowan
Tennessee Tech University alumna Tara Cowan can add a new title to her resume: successful
fiction writer.
The McMinnville, Tennessee native and practicing attorney, who graduated with a political
science degree in 2014, is anticipating the release of her fifth book, “Secrets of
an Old Virginia House,” later this year.
She’s not the only one. Cowan’s previous works each hold ratings of 4.5 or higher
on Amazon and Goodreads. Her latest release, “Thank God for Mississippi,” has amassed
more than 350 Amazon reviews while two of her books – “Southern Rain” and “Northern
Fire” – hit number eight and 16, respectively, in Kindle’s historical fiction category.
Cowan explains that her upcoming novel is “a contemporary book with elements of history
through research and letters, and there are romantic elements as well.”
“Secrets of an Old Virginia House” focuses on a Boston professor, Madeleine Apkarian,
who loses her job amid what Cowan calls “a raucous public spectacle” and travels to
Virginia in search of new project to save a once-distinguished career. Apkarian finds
herself cataloguing historical documents at a private colonial home – a task that
reveals long-kept secrets of its owners’ past.
“Inspiration for the contemporary and historical elements of my books usually come
separately, so I wait until I have two storylines that will fit well together,” Cowan
added.
Cowan, who has now penned more than 30 manuscripts, says releasing a new book is always
an act of vulnerability.
“Honestly, it was terrifying to put my first book out there,” said Cowan. “I think
most writers experience that feeling. You don’t necessarily have a thick skin for
criticism at the beginning, or the confidence of success. But those things come over
time and it was exciting to finally see my work in book format with a cover and to
share what I hoped could be enjoyable for readers."
Today, Cowan enjoys the support of a reading audience that she describes as “very
loyal and sweet” and one with “lots of senior ladies who are very excited for the
next book.”
“Most of my reader base is women, but I recently found that one in seven reviewers
is a man,” explained Cowan. “They are always really supportive as well.”
Cover art for Cowan's forthcoming book, "Secrets of an Old Virginia House".
During her years at Tech, Cowan served on the Student Government Association’s Supreme
Court and helped plan the university’s annual Constitution Day and Take Back the Night
events.
“Tech taught me hard work and that there are rewards for it,” said Cowan. “I don’t
think I would have been successful in my legal or writing career without that.”
Cowan recalls faculty such as English Professors Shirley Laird and Brian Williams,
History Department Chair Kent Dollar and Sociology and Political Science Department
Chair Lori Maxwell as being particularly impactful on her university experience.
When she’s not working on her next book, Cowan can be found at her law office in Woodbury,
Tennessee that she owns with her brother, fellow attorney and Tech alum Matt Cowan.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to run my own business and serve some really wonderful
people,” said Cowan.
Still, she calls writing “a release” from the stresses of her day job, adding, “It
is an outlet for creativity, an inner life. It is what I do for fun and it is my passion.”
Even as Cowan looks ahead to the release of “Secrets of an Old Virginia House,” her
next writing project is never far behind.
“I have a couple of moody historical manuscripts that I am considering,” said Cowan.
“I try not to confine my writing or publishing to any era, style or mood. I just make
a promise to my readers that they will have a page-turner in their hands, usually
with a healthy dose of romance.”
As for the future, Cowan says that she always seeks to expand her reader base and
has hopes of one day turning a book into a screenplay.
“The sky is the limit!” said Cowan.
Learn more about Cowan on her website and blog: www.taracowanbooks.com.
