Introduction

Every so often, I encounter a writer who treats storytelling not just as a craft, but as a form of survival. For today’s “Author Spotlight”, I am thrilled to introduce T.B. Wittkofsky, an author who navigates the fragile intersections of love, loss, and mental health with remarkable clarity. Whether he is capturing the raw sting of heartbreak or the quiet comfort of a morning brew, Tyler’s work is a testament to the power of telling the truth without flinching.

A Professional Path Built on Authenticity: The Many Chapters of T.B. Wittkofsky

T.B. Wittkofsky, often known to his readers as Tyler, describes himself as a collector of stories, scars, and second chances. Based in North Carolina, he lives with his wife, Grace, and their three dogs—Rocky, Dutch, and Belle. His creative life is deeply entwined with his love for exploration, a passion he and Grace share through their Adventure with Coffee podcast and blog. Together, they travel the roads less taken, finding fragments of humanity in small-town diners and mountain trails, always with a good cup of coffee in hand.

Before fully committing to his literary journey, Tyler was an award-winning marketer. This background in communication taught him how words move people long before he discovered how they could save him. Today, he uses those skills to advocate for mental health awareness, sharing his own journey with an authenticity that cuts through the digital noise. As a co-founder of the former Tea With Coffee Media and a co-host of several podcasts, he has dedicated himself to the belief that every story deserves to be told, especially those that explore the margins of the human experience.

The Works of T.B. Wittkofsky

Tyler’s bibliography is extensive, ranging from intimate literary fiction to dark romantasy and raw poetry.

• Coffee, Alcohol, and Heartbreak: This debut poetry collection was written during Tyler's darkest times as an escape from reality. It spans the emotional spectrum from happiness to darkness, aiming to connect readers with their own inner selves through shared struggle.

• Potent: Enamored Echoes Book 1: Co-authored with Kelsey Anne Lovelady, this is a modern-day dark romantasy retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It follows tech mogul Obe and Hollywood icon Tati Hastings as they battle ancient fae magic and corporate influence in a world where desire is engineered for profit.

• Salt Lines: A raw and intimate poetry collection about survival, love, and the work of recovery. Using direct images like ocean tides and everyday rituals, these poems provide a steady hand for anyone learning to start over or find their shore in the dark.

• The Principal's Principles: Set in 1987, this historical novel follows Wanda Hare as she becomes the first female principal in a small Southern district. It is a story about the quiet persistence required to lead with integrity while navigating institutional bias.

• (Not) Alone: This literary novel inhabits the experience of neurodivergence through the character of Henry. Following his fragmented moments and internal negotiations, the story explores what it means to belong without assimilation and to be understood without translation.

• The Seeds of Love: Sunflower Kisses Book 1: A character-driven romance focusing on Clay and Bailey. It provides an emotionally realistic look at how mental health struggles can complicate a relationship while highlighting the power of trust and safe spaces.

• Cardinal Sins: Coming in May 2026, this upcoming literary novel explores mourning and memory in a North Carolina mountain community where red birds arrive as omens for those who are grieving.

Anthology Contributions: Shared Worlds and Collaborative Stories

In addition to his solo projects, Tyler is a frequent contributor to collaborative anthologies across the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres.

• We Deserve to Exist: A collection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that focuses on the reclamation of self, culture, and heritage. Tyler contributes to this anthology that explores themes of empathy and the shift from fear to balance.

• Annus Horribilis: An adult horror anthology set in a supernatural version of 2022. It features thirty-eight tales of dark fiction and speculative horror exploring how bad things can truly get when the paranormal intervenes in real-world events.

• Happily Ever Never: This anthology features nine stories that explore the flip side of love, specifically focusing on heartbreak and the lessons learned from loss.

• Dark and Stormy Night: A collection of ten stories involving psychological and physical storms designed to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate dark, atmospheric nights.

What Readers Are Saying About T.B. Wittkofsky's Work:

Tyler’s writing has been praised for its emotional precision and its ability to touch on topics that are often left in the margins.

• "Coffee, Alcohol, and Heartbreak is the perfect title for this book which deals with addiction, pain, and love. This poetry collection is gritty, honest, and deep." - M.E. Aster on Coffee, Alcohol, and Heartbreak, 5 Stars, Goodreads
• "Puck is my favorite character and having a non-binary (fae/faer) character I think adds a lot of uniqueness to this story...refreshing to see modern real life events." - Kat Haru on Potent, 4 Stars, Goodreads
• "Wittkofsky's portrayal of Wanda is both nuanced and inspiring, capturing the complexities of balancing professional ambition with personal responsibilities." - Book Reviewer on The Principal's Principles, 4 Stars, Goodreads
•  "Well written. Amazing writer. Captivating novel that reimagines Oberon and Titania. Complex characters makes this an enchanting read." - Rebel on Potent, 5 Stars, Goodreads
•  "I love how the author give vivid descriptions of places, sights and sounds in the story, I could imagine them as I read throughout the book." - Regina Faith on (Not) Alone, 5 Stars, Goodreads 
• "This book has a very good ending, which I have not expected and at this point, this book becomes a mature reading... I am so glad that I read this book." - Read 4 Me on The Seeds of Love, 5 Stars, Goodreads
•  "This took the idea of what was going on in the 80s and what genre roles were and showed the sad side for the first women in 'male' roles. I really enjoyed how good Tyler Wittkofksy wrote this." - Kat M on The Principal's Principles, 5 Stars, Goodreads

Readers have described the Salt Lines collection as a raw and emotional experience that is both thought-provoking and quietly powerful. Reviewers appreciated the raw, emotional charge of the poems, noting that they feel like a companion sitting in the dark rather than a romanticised explanation of pain. One reader highlighted the long-form style of the poetry, noting that the imagery feels world-building and intimate, echoing a distinct modern voice that refuses to romanticise the harder parts of life. You can read the full, detailed reviews for this collection on its Amazon page.

Meet T.B. Wittkofsky: Upcoming Events

Tyler believes that events are where stories stop being solitary and start becoming shared. If you are in the North Carolina area this spring, you can find him at these upcoming locations:

• Flytrap Corner Market: March 21, 2026 (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm) at Flytrap Brewing, 319 Walnut St, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401.
• The Mothership Market: March 29, 2026 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm) at Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry St, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401.
• Spring 2026 Adopt-A-Thon: April 18, 2026 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) at Petsense, 1215 W Gate Dr, Leland, North Carolina, 28451.
• Strawberry Festival & Flower Show: April 25, 2026 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) at Robinson Produce Farms, 607 N JK Powell Blvd, Whiteville, North Carolina, 28472.

A Call to Connection

If you are looking for stories that aren't afraid to sit with you in the dark, I highly recommend exploring Tyler's extensive library. You can follow his journey and his "Adventure with Coffee" on his website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, and Goodreads.

You can purchase his books through the Amazon affiliate links below:  

• Coffee, Alcohol, and Heartbreak
• Potent: Enamored Echoes Book 1
• Salt Lines
• The Principal's Principles
• (Not) Alone
• The Seeds of Love: Sunflower Kisses Book 1
• Cardinal Sins
• We Deserve to Exist
• Annus Horribilis
• Happily Ever Never
• Dark and Stormy Night

Conclusion

T.B. Wittkofsky is a writer who understands that the messy, in-between moments are where the most important stories live. By bridging the gap between a communicator's precision and a survivor's heart, he has created a body of work that offers both a bruise and a bandage to his readers. I am honoured to share his diverse creative journey with you today.

Thanks for reading!

Angela G. Williams

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information about my affiliate relationships, please see my Affiliate Disclosure.