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  • HOME
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  • Maggie - Never Bitter

BOOKS BY TAJ SHOTWELL AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

 

Books written by Taj Shotwell including memoirs, novels, and educational titles


Middle Child’ book cover by Taj Shotwell

HISTORICAL FICTION NOVELS:

MIDDLE CHILD: Build a fence all around me. 

MY FIRST NOVEL


Genre: Historical  Drama

Log line: Annie Fowler Hightower was, by any measure, an attractive older lady of sixty four. As the sixth and middle child of eleven equally, yet uniquelly, beautifull children, Annie learned early on that beauty alone was not enough to transition

here from where she was the always mobile

child of an Army sergeant and his lovely and

enduring wife - to where she wanted to be, an

independent woman soaring into worlds both

new and old.


But, there were so many rocky paths to tread, scorched fields to traverse, and threatening, swirling rivers to cross before a world that was her own could be realized. Still, forward she did march... and somewhere in that process, she discovered that life was filled with marvels.  


With laughter and tears, Annie Fowler Hightower describes her journey as the middle child during the 1950s through the early 1970s as she seeks to adapt to living in the deep South, dysfunctional familial relation-ships, race relations, and ultimately, an abusive husband. Finally, burdened with the constant threat of danger to herself and to her child, she simply prayed:


"Lord, build a fence all around me."


BUY HERE

Middle Child 2’ book cover by Taj Shotwell

MIDDLE CHILD 2: Better Than Good

Genre: Historical Fiction Drama

Log line: Annie movies to California, faced with difficulties in balancing her career choices and single parenting. More dangerous pursuers, undermining perpetrators, and financial hardship-- become life's lessons learned before she soars into a new world of her own.

Synopsis: Seeking safety for her and her daughter after escaping an abusive relationship and violence, Annie Fowler Hightower continues her story from the early 1970’s where she begins a new life in California. Alone and fresh to the new world, Annie is faced with unexpected difficulties in balancing a career, obtaining a formal education, and parenting. As Annie attempts to succeed in her life choices, family members and new acquaintances undermine her and cause her financial hardship. Again, she encounters danger through romantic pursuers. Annie overcomes some fears by facing them. Despite the loss of love ones, the lack of support, and the belittling acts toward her, Annie, with her kind heart and strong faith, continues to march forward. Yet never bitter, her long and difficult journeys become the past. As she travels from coast to coast and worldwide, Annie learns life’s lessons that take her to a place that she could never have imagined --- a life that is: 

“Better Than Good.” 

Buy Here

FAMILY AND FAITH POETRY
PAPERBACK AND KINDLE also on Amazon.com

SHORT STORIES:

Middle Child Short Stories Untold: Annie's Diary Series

 

Genre: Family-historical-fiction

Synopsis: This collection of short stories is based on true stories beginning in the mid-1950s in Memphis. The series is an extension of the author’s novels, “Middle Child: Build a fence all around me”, and “Middle Child 2: Better than good”, and consists of untold stories that are appropriate for all readers. 

Loglines:

Volume 1: “As Far As You Can See” Little Annie meets her first lifelong best friend.

Volume 2: “Mr. Little” Curious Annie admires her neighbor who loves dogs and horses, and grows a beautiful vegetable garden every year.

Volume 3: “The History Teaching Nun” In the summer of 1967 Annie attends a USA history class at a Catholic high school during the time society was openly divided.

Volume 4: “Just Hair” Preteen Annie becomes a hair model; meets a family friend; works in a hair salon; and experiments with many hair styles.


Volume 5: “Miracles Loss” Annie discovers a love for animals that she had never anticipated.


Volume 6: “My Birthplace” Annie takes a spearing journey to her birthplace. 


PAPERBACK AND KINDLE also on Amazon.com 

BUY HERE

Professional development book by Taj Shotwell

nON-FICTION BOOK:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PRE- PROFESSIONALS 

 

Logline: This book targets secondary and post-secondary education students interested in any fields--- including business, engineering, education, legal, medical, and performing arts. Students may benefit from this course as early as the seventh grade or age 13.

Synopsis: The content offers a critical concept in addressing students’ needs in the preparation of successful careers of their choice. Textbooks for professional development are scarce – leaving a major gap in addressing these needs. Often students are not certain as to what career field is right for them. The goal is to present one possible solution that meets the needs of individuals in determining and pursuing any career. Students in the performing arts field may attract individuals into the professional status at a much earlier age than any other field of interest. Reaching a celebrity status, particularly as a child, can cause confusion that may affect his/her attitude and behavior in becoming a successful artist. The primary purpose is to address students’ attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, those attitudes about the workplace, the classroom, and society as a whole -- yet, addressing the behaviors they display because of those attitudes. 

BUY HERE

2016 & 2017 BEST MUSICAL SCREENPLAY

Maggie Never Bitter’ book cover by Taj Shotwell
BUY BOOK HERE
‘Maggie Never Bitter’ film and theatre script by Taj Shotwell
FOR COPIES OF SCRIPT AND TREATMENT CONTACT taj.shotwell@gmail.com
Maggie Never Bitter’ musical script by Taj Shotwell”

Original Cover This cover is no longer available


FICTION NOVELLA MAGGIE: NEVER BITTER

Genre: Modern Family and Faith Drama/Mystery/Romance/Musical


Logline: A beautiful young teacher learns her father is dying, returns home, and falls victim to her hateful stepmother’s deadly plots.  With her faith tested, she realizes true love and unforeseen friendships.
Pitch: Modern reality and part fable that weaves wealth, danger, betrayal, and faith into a richly satisfying story - all framed with original songs.   Whether Maggie is teaching school, bantering with a basketball team, discovering true love, or falling victim to her mentally deranged stepmother’s plots, Maggie tries to follow her father’s advice to be “Never Bitter.” ​
Synopsis: Maggie, a young elementary teacher and only child of a wealthy businessman, learns that her father is dying. After returning home, her efforts to be with him become problematic while her mid-aged ex-model, yet jealous and disturbed stepmother, Jennifer, plans deadly schemes against her. Maggie finds support through her love interest, Douglass. Maggie is kidnapped but escapes far from home. She is found by a group of athletes called the Dunkers in a rural area. They protect her and teach her a life lesson. Douglass searches for Maggie and discovers life-changing facts about Jennifer. Jennifer finds Maggie before Douglass and harms her. Maggie’s quest to follow her father’s faith to be Never Bitter becomes challenging. Maggie must find ways to forgive and to live?. The story is framed with Original Songs. Sixteen Lyrics, music charts, & soundtracks are available.


Family and Faith’ poetry book by Taj Shotwell

LATEST RELEASE- MEMOIR

FAMILY AND FAITH POETRY

 

Logline: An inspirational memoir of life’s journey over several generations through poetry. Spiritual expressions, views, and thoughts about international issues and communal societies.

Synopsis: Dr. Shotwell shares her life’s journey through fifty poems/stories. These dramatic and loving short stories are historical experiences about several generations of relatives and friends from her historical hometown, Orange Mound, located in the southeast part of Memphis, and international travels. Some poems address the complexities of families, (nuclear structured or otherwise), and confirm the family does matter. Many delightful photos are included.


The author also gives views and thoughts about world issues and communal societies (past and present). The poems capture various spiritual expressions including hate to love; judgemental to acceptance; selfishness to gratitude; catastrophe to triumph; destruction to peace; dysfunctional to purposeful; sadness to joy; and bitterness to forgiveness.

GET A COPY TODAY !!! 

BUY HERE

Interviews

Writer4Higher Interview

WTAL1450 AM Talk Radio Show Interview with Taj Shotwell

WTAL1450 AM Talk Radio Show Interview with Taj Shotwell

CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERVIEW

WTAL1450 AM Talk Radio Show Interview with Taj Shotwell

WTAL1450 AM Talk Radio Show Interview with Taj Shotwell

WTAL1450 AM Talk Radio Show Interview with Taj Shotwell

Click Here to Listen

TAN Member: "The Toll of Writing"

WTAL1450 AM Talk Radio Show Interview with Taj Shotwell

TAN Member: "The Toll of Writing"

Click Here for Video

Available at BARNES AND NOBLE CLICK HERE
Available at AMAZON Paperback & Kindel CLICK HERE
Available at BOOKS A MILLION CLICK HERE

Amazon Author Page


 Copyright © 2025 TAJ SHOTWELL PRODUCTIONS, LLC- All Rights Reserved

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