writing

R.L. Toalson

Rachel writes her traditionally published books under R.L. Toalson because she likes the way initials look in print. And, also, she likes the distinction it creates between the books she writes for adults and the books she writes for children and teenagers.

The Colors of the Rain, Rachel’s first traditionally published novel, is a historical middle grade novel-in-verse set against the backdrop of the Houston School District’s 1972 desegregation battle. It tells the story of a boy coming to terms with the changes in his life and town and examines the question of what it means to be a human family. The book published in September 2018 was a 2020 Arnold Adoff Poetry Award recipient.

The Woods is Rachel’s second traditionally published middle grade novel, a historical fantasy realism story that tackles profound loss, grief, and finally, acceptance. The book published in September 2019 and and was selected for the 2020 Children’s Choices List.

Rachel Toalson

Rachel’s first book, This is How You Know, was a collection of poetry published in 2015. In 2017 she provided her loyal poetry fans with another poetry book, Life: a definition of terms, that combines both haiku poetry and art in twenty-seven hand-lettered pages sprinkled between the poems.

That same year Rachel launched her Crash Test Parents series, a collection of books that showcases her best humor parenting essays about raising her six rowdy sons. Books in the series include Parenthood: Has Anyone Seen My Sanity?, This Life With Boys, Hills I’ll Probably Lie Down On, and If These Walls Could Talk, among others.

Rachel also publishes serious essays both in publications and in books. Her first essay collection, We Count it All Joy, was published in 2018. Her first adult novel, In the End (a novel in verse), published in 2024.

Rachel’s blog, launched in 2014, is the digital hub of her writings, offering readers a weekly dose of humor, poetry, and personal essay/memoir.

Crash Test Parents Series

Poetry

Essay

Adult Fiction – Novel in verse

L.R. Patton

Looking for a way to publish books faster than the traditional publishing world can publish them, Rachel began the pen name L.R. Patton in 2016, with the publication of the first book in the Fairendale series, The Treacherous Secret.

The Fairendale series is a middle grade epic fantasy series that explores the world of fairy tales, dragons, sorcerers, and other magical creatures. The world of Fairendale revolves around villains and heroes—all on a quest for what they believe is right. Throughout the series, the story of King Willis of Fairendale is woven into the story of his son, Prince Virgil, heir to the throne, and fairy tale children fleeing for their lives—children who become what we know as fairy tale villains, for one good reason or another.

Other titles under L.R. Patton include This is Who We Are (a middle grade novel in verse) and the five books in the middle grade horror series, the Penn Files.

Writing