A Story of a Stolen Mermaid--(and the Infringement of an Artist)

Fact: I wrote Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam in 2010.
Fact: My brother, Sonny Chargualaf is the talented artist behind the imagery.
Fact: Our Sirena is copyrighted.
Fact: I haven't blogged in two years and this incident has made me mad enough to start again.

And so begins the story of a sister/brother team, who collaborated to bring a platform to our Chamorro culture and a book to honor their late father to the forefront.

Sirena, the legend of a mermaid, told to me first by my father and next by my teachers in Guam was always my favorite story. When my father died in 2007, I struggled with the loss. When my mother, moved back to Guam after living with me for a few years, I was again sad. I decided to channel that into creating a children’s book, retelling Sirena in my way. A legend that is public domain, that I wanted to spin into a rhyme. A book that I wanted to create with my artist brother. We began to collaborate via e-mail in May of 2010. By August of that year, I completed the book and Sonny brought to life a gorgeous cover and rich art for the story itself.

A thousand dollars later, invested with an independent publisher, Authorhouse, I had a product. A book dedicated to my dad, with a by line by me and illustration attribution to my brother. I never thought that the cover art would bring us anything but pride…

The first time we began to see the cover art reproduced without permission was for school projects. Children on Guam identifying with the image of Sirena from our book? That was fine. It is a classic representation of ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’. These children were not using the image or their recreation of Sonny’s version of Sirena for financial gain. We smiled and moved on.

In 2015, within a Guam group I was connected with in my new home of Washington State, Sonny’s Sirena image emerged from the deep in the form of stickers. Stickers solely created to be sold for profit. Stickers he never approved. Money not entitled to the people involved in creating the sticker. A Sirena image hijacked from my brother. With some detective work, I received a name. I was begrudgingly given a phone number in Guam. I called and confronted the woman involved. She questioned me, asked me if I owned the image. She was confrontational and tried to make me feel guilty. I invited her to Google Sirena+Taimanglo+Chargualaf and she would see the book. She calmed down after I said my brother’s full name, then blamed a graphic artist she hired. I wrote a letter to the editor addressing this particular incident. It was received well by fellow artists, but scoffed at as being too harsh by others. Apparently, I wasn’t allowed to be upset or question my culture or fight for artists’ rights.

With 2018’s Mes Chamorro, Sirena was seen in numerous places again. A major grocery chain used the image on a large wooden cut out. Their explanation to my brother, the artist? “Oh, it was on Google.” McDonald’s did the same. Printing our Sirena directly from the book cover, minus my name and Sonny’s. My brother handled the calls and the companies gave their lame, ‘I didn’t realize’ excuses.

It’s Monday, the day after April Fool’s, and in the last week, in the midst of my brother’s visit from Guam, we had a stronger case of the misuse of Sonny’s Sirena. This particular company etched our Sirena on their product. They sold this product for a substantial price, $149.99. They went through the process of ‘hiring a graphic artist’ to create a Sirena, which is basically from our book cover. They debuted the product at the March 24th, Chamorro Cultural Fest in San Marcos, California. Ironically, a large annual event produced for the Chamorro people by the honorable non-profit group, CHELU’ Inc. of which I was a Board member for four years, being an organizer for the first 4 fests. Family, friends, those who know Sonny and me and our book began messaging us, tagging us, and questioning the validity of the use of Sirena on this product. Monday, March 26 was stressful. My brother just got to Washington to visit me and we had to deal with this infringement. It was fortunate for us that we were together. It made us fight stronger, in that our father’s 11th death anniversary was looming as well. He always taught us to stand up for ourselves. After finally getting a name for the company, a call was made. I recorded it, heard his explanation. Something not new to us, oh, the “graphic artist” did it. Stealing is stealing. They claimed it was an ‘honest’ mistake. That didn’t sit well with us.

They came up with a weak proposal and asked us to censor our posts on-line. They wanted us to remove “negative” posts on our business and personal social media accounts. Say what? Censorship? Nah. We simply requested help in finding the company owners. The responses from other people were outside of our power and their right to voice their opinion.

We didn’t agree to anything in writing, but suddenly Sonny’s name was being associated with them on their website. I screen shot everything. Yes, I did. I told my brother, it’s like they forced you into a marriage you didn’t agree to.

We discussed the limp proposal and offered a counter offer. After three days and no response, I checked their social media and website. I found that all traces of Sirena disappeared, even their post admitting that they did not mean to use Sonny’s artwork, but did. My brother followed up for a response. None was made. Big sister mode kicked in and I texted the co-owner. Finally, an emailed response came to Sonny only, I was not cc’d this time. They wrote that it was too bad that we didn’t accept their miniscule cut of the profits and that they took the product down. They are claiming to provide refunds to those who bought the unauthorized product. We have no proof that this has been done, at least not via their social media.

It’s like they are erasing the mistake and hoping we will also be silent. My brother and I can’t. Their mistake will not be made into a tall tale, because this is not fiction, it’s real life. We need artists to be protected. We need the infringement to end. There are still 30 of their products out swimming recklessly in the world. They claim they will relaunch the Sirena product with something original. They hope this won’t happen again to us. But, the damage was done. A price must be paid.

Sirena, the story, the legend belongs to us all. The artwork my brother created is his. Good luck to this company. We wish you the best, as long as you don’t force us to swim with you.

Talking NaNoWriMo with Marianas Variety Guam

Just a late post for posterity. Speaking about my third year participation in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) with Marianas Variety Guam. CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE. Just hit 20K words. 30K to go by November 30th! Been creating good writing sprints with the help of Youtube and music by Hozier, Vance Joy, Boyce Avenue, Birdy and Future Sunsets.

Good luck to all you NaNoWriMo-ers!

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Happy Father's Day

My father passed away seven years ago. His legacy has touched many aspects of my writing, coming through in my blog posts, demanding a major role in my romantic comedy, Secret Shopper and creating ripples in many of my short stories.

To say that I miss him is a major understatement. There are so many reminders and echoes of my father, Tedy Gamboa Chargualaf in my everyday life. Not to mention that my son looks like him, in stature, in his handsome face, in his kind heart and also at times in his stubbornness. I’m reminded that my father is absent in my daughter’s life at major milestones like her Kindergarten promotion this week or the fact that she finally has one of her baby teeth loosening. I know he would have loved her, so I remind my children (my son was 1 ½ years old when his ‘Tata Tedy’ died), that they are extensions of this great man I love.

To honor my dad this father’s day, I just wanted to share 7 memories, some sweet, some sour.

1. I’m a Mermaid.

Massachusetts. I was the ultimate tag along. My dad was going fishing. I wanted to go too. I was about four years old. The pond, scummy and green looked otherworldly to my little girl eyes. My father went about his business of fishing as we sat in a tiny boat. He dropped tiny red balls in the water around us to attract fish, which was absolutely fascinating that I just had to dip my face in the water to discover where these things went and what they did. Along with heading into the water face first, the rest of my body followed. I had a few seconds of floating in a beautiful sea of green water, dotted with red. I’m sure it was cold, but I don’t remember that now. My father, with one strong arm, lifted me out of the water and put me back into the boat. His face was mingled with relief, horror and anger. But, in my memory I detected amusement too. My little dip into the unknown ended our fishing trip.

2. Pillow Rides!

Massachusetts. Sitting squarely on a pillow, my father grasped each side and offered my brother and I turns on a magic pillow ride. I remember soaring so high I could touch the ceiling and being in awe of my father’s strength.

3. Death Stare.

Guam. Red light. A man in a taxi stared at me while we waited at a traffic stop in East Hagatna. I was 13. I began to slink into my seat, trying to disappear. My dad, aware asked what my problem was. I told him it was nothing, but then he looked around us and found the man. At this point, I was completely on the floor of the car, both embarrassed by the unwanted attention and afraid of my father’s wrath. He told me to sit up, and in a flash flipped the bird to the man and yelled some choice curse words. The man mouthed, “Sorry,” and put his hands up in surrender. Green light.

4. The Second Love.

Guam. My first major heartbreak. A relationship of nearly seven years ended and my parents let me react the way I needed to, anger, sadness, hunger strike, desperation, chocolate binging. But, when I packed up two trash bags of my ex’s gifts and placed it by the back door, my father said, “Atta girl. I never liked him anyway. Don’t worry, in this family the second love is the one that’s real.” And, he was right.

5. Common Nonsense.

My father gave tough love. And, in those times he questioned our maturity he would always say, “Wow. My kids are so smart, but sometimes you have Common Nonsense.”—his word play on our lack of common sense.


6. I’m Going to Knock You Out.

Guam. I don’t condone violence, unless it’s for survival, but my father grew up a fighter. Of course, being a family man tamed him, but my mother would share stories of my father’s shenanigans during his young Army days in Korea. When I was twelve, we were at a neighbor’s barbecue. A man, whose ‘common sense’ was soaked in the many beers he drank, set his sights on my dad. He sat next to my father and touched his arm. “Wow, you are strong.” He said derisively. My dad shoved the man, nearly knocking him off his chair and warned him not to touch him again. The drunk persisted. Then in an instant, my father had punched him in the face and he crumpled to the floor. “I told you not to f’ with me.” It was the only time I saw my father violent first hand. I was upset all day because we left the party, but also afraid that the man and his teenage sons would want retribution. We lived on the next street over and as they pulled their limp father into the bed of their truck, the son told my father he would come back for him. My father wasn’t ruffled and nothing came of it.

7. College Classmates.

University of Guam. As I was finishing my education/English degree at UOG, my father started taking courses too, already a Chamorro teacher at John F. Kennedy High School. “Would you mind if we were in the same class?” He would ask shyly. “You won’t be embarrassed?” It was interesting to see his concern, but I was an adult then and proud that my father was brave enough to step into the college realm to better himself. “I won’t be embarrassed!” I told him. “I would be proud! Just don’t ask me to do your papers for you.”

But I Would Drive One Hundred Miles, and I Would Drive One Hundred More.

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."--Muhammad Ali

Hundreds of miles of driving to sell one book. Yes. I did that, twice.

An indie writer’s hustle is never ending. For me, a high functioning introvert, that is taxing on my nerves. So, twice in the month of May, I sojourned south to attend two events.

On May 3rd, I attended a Guam fiesta in Graham, Washington. Miles logged? 88.

The San Jose Fiesta was hosted by the generous Leon Guerrero family. Two rows of vendors braved the rain and cold to showcase their wares. I was happy to be canopy mates with author and Principal Investigator at Hålé Chamoru ~ Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project, Bernard Punzalan.

I was grateful for the exposure to a new Chamorro audience. The extensive buffet of Chamorro cuisine was also a great pay off. Vending was free with a small contribution of two books to the hosts for a raffle. After selling one book, I resigned to the fact that I would end the day with that one success. I looked on the bright side. I had quality time with my best friend who drove in from Tacoma. My son hung out with his godparents. I met up with my former Tae Kwon Do classmate, who I last saw when he was a preteen, now a husband and father. I met a former JFKHS teacher whom I shared the honor of working in the Tourism Academy. And, I met up with a former volleyball teammate who I haven’t seen in over twenty years. So, a good day all in all.

On May 28th, I drove down to Gresham, Oregon to attend Mt. Hood Community College’s 3rd Annual Hang Loose Luau. Miles logged? 240.

I had reservations about attending a seemingly “Hawaiian” event, but the R.I.C.E. member I knew (again a child classmate from Tae Kwon Do) assured me that it was a celebration of all things Pacific Islander. Thankful that my best friend joined me, we set off for a cold, rainy luau. After three hours of vending, I sold one book. Sirena (my little mermaid) seemed to be the most popular with passerbys. I had to remind myself that there were many a starving college student who may not have the disposable funds to purchase books. It was a good day anyway, since I saw up close, hula dancing, enjoyed 90s R & B music (apparently a favorite genre of the dj, but not mine), and bonded with my bestie since the 10th grade.

In the end, after two events, I logged 328 miles of driving, make that 656 counting the drive home.
Books sold? 2.
Redemption? Selling 2 books to the owner of PDX671.
Additional redemption? People, experience, hanging with my bestie twice, Guam food and doughnuts.

Meanwhile, 6,000 plus miles away across the Pacific Ocean, in my home-island of Guam. My short story collection, Attitude 13 has been featured in a two part series for Marianas Variety Guam’s Sunday Variety-Literary Corner. The links to the digital copies are here. PART 1. PART 2. It’s a nice way of getting my short story, Resurfacing in the public eye. So, thank you to the editor, Mar-Vic Cagurangan for considering me. It’s an honor! And, as any indie author will tell you, if the experience helps me sell just one book, then it was worth the effort.

Further, a blogger friend and supporter of my writing in Poland has featured a great review of Attitude 13 on her blog. LINK here, as well as an interview of me. LINK here. Thank you, talesfrompasifika!

Happy Anniversary, Phoenix and Thomas!

My romantic comedy, Secret Shopper has been swimming in the indie author literary universe for a year now. It's been nice getting feedback, both good and bad about this love story.

Thank you, everyone! The EBook is just 99 cents for a few more days as a celebration.

LINK HERE!

The Seattle Globalist Makes Us Feel Legit.

"Where Seattle Meets the World"

Thank you to The Seattle Globalist and writer, Dakota Alcantara Camacho for interviewing me and Chamaole Pino Restaurant owners, Melody Arreola and Chris Smith for this article. It's nice to have our fledgling group, United Roots recognized especially for our first event this Saturday in Everett. Here's the LINK!

http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2014/04/24/pacific-islander-arts-showcase-everett/23701

Fliers Make Anything Official

My next Author Meet and Greet is at United Roots' Pacific Islander Arts and Crafts Showcase on April 26. I'm excited to meet people in the PacNorWest. Hope you'll be there! Thank you Reuben of Fliers Ink for the awesome flier. I feel 2legit now. Tanya Taimanglo

I Am Divergent.

"I was born into a faction of sorts. Two if you want to be exact. If you were to peg me into the two Roth defined factions, it would be Erudite (The Intelligent) and Abnegation (The Selfless)."

In many ways I am Divergent. I read the first two books of Veronica Roth's trilogy and I thoroughly enjoyed all 180 minutes of the movie. Theo James as Four and Shailene Woodley as Tris, hit the mark. Their chemistry was real and I was sucked in. Before I saw the movie, I wrote up a guest post for the blog, Tales From Pasifika.

Read my GUEST POST here about how this woman feels Divergent.

Betelnut Radio-The BBQ Show Interview

"If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it." Anais Nin

Support from Betelnut Radio's The BBQ Show meant so much to me. I was interviewed this past Thursday on air by Q and Joe Sav. It was a fun discussion about my books, and a great promotion for my efforts as a Pacific Islander author.

I was able to video tape it off my lap top, I'm not so tech savvy and the fliers the radio show created made me feel extra 'legit'.

Thank you again, Q and Joe Sav for featuring this Chamorrita author from Guam. I appreciate any support I can get.

NaNoWriMo 2013 Complete!

In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance.--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Just a quick note about how relieved I am that my YA novel, "Little Drummer Boy" is complete. That is the messy, disjointed, ugly baby that it is. The first draft is laid down at 50,034 words in 27 days. My biggest push was getting it done before Thanksgiving. And, I did it.

Thanks to my patient family.
Whew! Let's celebrate. I'm dancing like George Takei!

Happy to be the GUEST Blogger at Shannon A. Thompson's Website

I find inspiration by disconnecting for a moment from Facebook, Twitter, email, TV, etc. and just observing. It could be something as simple as an exchange between a mother and child, a glance between lovers or a flash of anger on a stranger’s face. The world around me without the filter of the internet is a great source of inspiration.-Tanya Taimanglo

The focus of my guest blog post is INSPIRATION. Click here to read more at Shannon's website.

Secret Shopper is FREE! eBOOK PROMO!

My romantic comedy, Secret Shopper is FREE! Yes. I make no coffee money from October 24-28 Pacific Standard Time, ends at midnight.

So get your EBOOK copy now and savor the funny, spicy, love story that is Phoenix and Thomas.

LINK here.

Hoping my gamble brings good things to this Indie Author and I hope you enjoy. Thanks, everyone!

411Junkie Blog Interviews Me & Offers a Great Novel Review of Secret Shopper!

The 411 on me is that I was recently hosted by 411Junkie's Blog! Check out my author interview (she had riveting questions) and also the lovely book review of my romantic comedy, Secret Shopper.

An Indie Author is always grateful for anyone who shares their spotlight.

Read the Interview HERE.

Read the Book Review HERE. (Warning: Spoilers).

Don't forget to join my Rafflecopter giveaway of a signed copy of Secret Shopper! Just 4 days left. Click Here!

My First Rafflecopter Giveaway! Your Chance to Win an Autographed Copy of Secret Shopper!

I'm joining in on the Rafflecopter fun, hoping to bolster LIKES on my Facebook page, Twitter and Blog! So, knock yourself out with this Rafflecopter giveaway of an autographed paperback copy of my romantic comedy, Secret Shopper!

If you've read the novel, tell me about it in the comments and/or Amazon's rate and review option. If you haven't, I hope you do and thank you all!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

With 2.5 Hours of 'Free Time', Comes Great Responsibility.

Two and a half hours alone…kids are in school(s).

What I feel like doing…



What might happen…




What I SHOULD do…

What my family THINKS I do…

What I really want to do…

1) Read this *I hit the Library day one to pick up this hold.

2) Enjoy that *The lovely rain and greenery, the view from my home office.

3) Edit like a beast

But, I've dwindled a third of my time on Pinterest and with this Blog....okay, dirty dishes and unfinished novels, I'll be right there!

First world problems, wish me luck!

Nerd Girl Gives Secret Shopper 5 Stars and a Glowing Review!

"The romance is chivalrous and fairly chaste which is a refreshing change from the current trend."--Julie

The 5 Star review by Julie of Nerd Girl has been posted on their website, Goodreads, Library Things (which I have to join now), Facebook, and Twitter; and she also took the time to support my indie efforts by adding the review and rating on Amazon.

The Nerd Girl Facebook page is followed by nearly 4,500 folks. I hope this boosts my story's reach.

I love the cool chicks at NERD GIRL! Click here to read.

Author Erin Albert interviews me...check out 12 Random Facts!

I've found a great circle of author friends who share their spotlight with a generous heart. Erin Albert is one of them. She is a YA writer. Albert's debut novel, The Prophecy is due November 2013! Please support her by liking her Facebook page.

CLICK HERE to check out the fun interview I did with her. Find out why I freaked her out...read random fact #8! And, discover why I'm excited to have this guest blogpost come out today, July 24...Lynda Carter/Wonder Woman's 62nd birthday...random fact #4.

Jackson Baer Interviews, Tanya Taimanglo

"I’d say Scotland. I’d like to learn more about kilts and sip tea in J.K. Rowling’s castle, talk shop with her perhaps and dance to some Celtic jams." Tanya Taimanglo

Thank you to author, Jackson Baer for taking the time to interview me for his blog. Authors supporting other authors is so important. Check out the interview by clicking on the link below his picture. Be sure to follow his Facebook page too! His upcoming novel, The Earth Bleeds Red comes out September 2013.

Tanya Taimanglo INTERVIEW-Click Here!

I ♥ Boy Bands 4-Eva!

A 1980s/1990s teenage dream fulfilled with my bestie since the 10th grade this past Tuesday. We attended The Package Tour at the Tacoma Dome featuring Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees and The New Kids on the Block aka NKOTB. It was packed with women (and some men mercilessly attending with their chicks) who share the same rabid boy band obsession as me.

One thing about these now nearly middle aged men. They have all aged well, like wine, maybe a few like cheese--but I like both. And, they were punctual! Show started at 7:32 which was great. And, more impressive, no one in the audience (at least in my area) sparked it up....if you attend concerts, you know what I mean.

Boyz II Men sang gloriously and I was reminded of how much I love "Water Runs Dry."

98 Degrees were still hot. Nick Lachey, what can I say (my bestie's fave) and Jeff Timmons (my fave) still have the biceps and singing chops. Not such a fan of "Una Noche" but I was ecstatic that they ended with my favorite song, "Because of You."

The last two hours of the concert were reserved for the main attraction, NKOTB. Men in their 40s, they still have it in all senses of the phrase. Donnie was still the bad boy, six pack to match. At one point, he knelt and sang to a fan off stage. Cameras zoomed in and this bold lady beckoned him. They engaged in a twenty second french kiss which had the dome raving. He even looked at the camera and mouthed, "What the F*ck?!"-but went right back to kissing her. Shocking. Jordan Knight (my bestie's fave) moved very much like Michael Jackson, and sang falsetto flawlessly. He gave us some skin too and obviously, this father still works out. Danny did some athletic break dancing moves and Joey, the baby of the group was a raunchy dancer, much to my surprise. My fave of the five is and always will be, Jonathan Knight (yes, he likes boys) but, I've always liked his face and personality. He and Danny remained clothed through the whole show. While the rest of the boys did crazy pelvic thrusts to the audience, he was lukewarm and mainly stomped his feet a lot. Call me crazy, but I don't like overt. Oh, Jon--in another life, I'll be a dude.

It was nice to experience this concert with my bestie and my 17 year old god-daughter & Co. She laughed a lot, mostly at us, but had fun too. Donnie invited a surprise guest, Seattle's own Sir MixALot-whom up until that night I didn't know he was a Seattle-lite. He brought about 10 brave women on stage to shake their healthy butts, singing "Baby Got Back!" We were all dancing in our nosebleeds seats.



During Jordan's falsetto a story line was conceived in my writer brain and it's been festering and growing non stop since Tuesday night. It's shaping up to be a YA, sci-fi, comedy thing. I'll keep you posted.



Overall, seeing this wonderful grouping of boy bands is now off my bucket list--a great night.

Here are some YOUTUBE clips of the concert I found.

Hey, Taimanglo! Can we go thrift shopping?

Yes. Readers you can pop some tags and get your copy of SECRET SHOPPER for just 99 cents!
Amazon, Kindle eBook only. Less than a buck for a digital copy of my novel. Good until the end of JULY!
Thanks in advance and enjoy! Don't forget to rate and review on Amazon.

*Don't forget you don't actually need a KINDLE to download. If you have a smart phone or droid, Google Play has a free Kindle app and you can buy your digital copy through that.