TJ Hassell might be the only 2nd grader in rural East Texas who secretly started a publishing company with a pencil, a Big Chief tablet and a stapler.  It was secret because she knew, even as a little girl, her family would never understand. 

A desire to learn caused her to listen.  While she was listening, several of her specific and fanciful choices led to occasional work as a news and radio reporter on special assignments.  She has written monthly and weekly columns for various Texas publications.

Years were also spent behind a barber and salon chair, a setting most conducive to tall tales, complaints and honest, occasionally haunting, stories of family, friendships and enemies.  Some were gossipy, some heartbreaking, and some were amusing, but all were instructive and full of character.  Repeatedly fascinated by these many accounts, TJ began to reflect on her own stories and ideas.  Everyone has a story, everyone hurts from something, and everyone gets to laugh.

Thus, a life-long interest in writing developed and deepened into her debut novel, The Travel Letters.  It is a novel of multiple stories that piece together a beginning, middle and end, told with straightforward emotion and insight.  It is a book tinged with lessons of life that could only come from living one.

TJ lives with her husband, the mathematician and musician, who plays banjo from every porch and available rocking chair.  She is his favorite rhythm guitar player and singer.  The two perform at selected venues around Texas, but they enjoy front porch picking the best.  (Check out Hwy19 Bluegrass)

TJ has three grown, successful and independent children, a kind daughter-in-law and is Momma Jo to two baby granddaughters.  These people are enough, but, thankfully, there are more from her husband’s children and grandchildren that bring company to their door, swimmers to a spring-fed lake and hikers on their trails.

TJ also enjoys hiking.  In fact, it was a thirteen-hour hike in and out of the Grand Canyon, just a few years back, that made her think she could write a book.  And so, she has!  Currently, the book is without accolades or awards or on anybody’s favorite list of books to read.  But it deserves some attention.  You should see what you think.