Meet Tasha Haight: A Mermaid Storyteller Inspiring Ocean Conservation
Tasha Haight is a children’s book author, professional mermaid, and passionate ocean advocate based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Her whimsical, sea-inspired stories blend enchantment with environmental messages, empowering young readers to protect the planet—one magical adventure at a time. A proud member of the Association of Ghostwriters, Maryland Writers Association, and Eastern Shore Writers Association, Tasha also inspires kids through school visits and ocean literacy programs. Dive into her world with this author spotlight!
A Passion for Storytelling and Conservation
Tasha’s bio captures her mission: “Blending storytelling with conservation, her whimsical, sea-inspired books empower young readers to care for the planet.” Since self-publishing her first book in 2022, Tasha has crafted stories that reflect her real-life interactions with marine animals and environmental issues. While she handles most aspects of the publishing process herself, she collaborates with illustrators to bring her vibrant tales to life, admitting, “I cannot draw.”
As a Plantser—balancing plotting with spontaneous creativity—Tasha writes from cozy spots like her bed, couch, or kitchen table, infusing her stories with her passion for the ocean and its creatures.
Crafting Stories with Purpose
Tasha’s Mermaid Tasha’s Friends series is her proudest achievement, a collection that showcases her ability to weave conservation themes into engaging narratives for young readers. Her writing has evolved since her debut, with a deeper understanding of formats and reader expectations. “I know more about acceptable/ideal formats and targets for my readers, so I’m able to make it more attractive that way,” she shares.
Her research has led to fascinating discoveries, like learning that baby pink whiprays (a type of stingray) are nearly two feet long at birth. These insights enrich her stories, grounding her fantastical tales in real-world wonders.
Writing from the Heart of the Ocean
Tasha’s personal experiences as a professional mermaid and ocean advocate deeply shape her work. “All my books are based on my real-life interactions with the animals or pollutants discussed,” she says. Her goal is clear: to deliver conservation messages to her young audience. While her stories are crafted with readers in mind, they stem from her own encounters, ensuring authenticity in every page.
The timeline from concept to publication varies, largely depending on her illustrators. Her quickest book, Glitter is Not the Winner, came together rapidly thanks to a short length and an efficient illustrator who handled formatting. In contrast, her longest project, ABCs of Delmarva, remains unpublished due to the need for 26 unique illustrations, which has stretched beyond her budget for years.
Embracing Feedback and Keeping the Momentum
Tasha handles feedback pragmatically, incorporating legitimate critiques into future editions or books.*“Incorporate it into the next edition or book if legitimate,” she notes. After publishing, she focuses on marketing and promoting her work to sustain interest and sales, rather than reflecting on the finished book. “Not so much reflecting but marketing and promoting and trying to keep sales and interest up,” she explains.
What’s Next for Tasha?
Tasha is always brimming with new ideas and aspires to venture into novels, expanding beyond her children’s book roots. While specific upcoming releases aren’t detailed, her enthusiasm for storytelling ensures more sea-inspired adventures are on the horizon. “Always!” she says when asked about new projects, hinting at exciting developments to come.
A Glimpse into Tasha’s World
Tasha Haight’s journey as an author is as vibrant as the ocean she champions. From her Maryland home to the pages of her Mermaid Tasha’s Friends series, she crafts stories that inspire young readers to love and protect the planet. Whether writing from her couch or sharing her passion through school visits, Tasha’s dedication to storytelling and conservation shines through. Keep an eye out for her future works, including her dream of diving into novels—there’s no doubt this mermaid author has more magic to share.
Stay tuned for more from Tasha Haight, a storyteller who proves that stories can change the world, one young reader at a time!
