Teresa Nordheim-Liu Bio
Teresa Nordheim-Liu has been writing since she could hold a pen. She remembers sitting on her granparents’ front porch, drawing horses and filling handmade storybooks with adventures and misadventures of her own young life. Her grandfather looked at her work and said, “Don’t give up. You’re good at this.” She never forgot that message of love and encouragement.
Today Teresa is the author of seven traditionally published books of narrative nonfiction spanning true crime, history, paranormal, and urban exploration. Her work appeared in more than fifty print and online publications, including Highlights for Children, and three of her stories were selected to appear on standardized testing for three states.
What sets Teresa apart is the other half of her life. For nearly thirty years she ahs worked as a nurse accumulating experience accross occupational health, correctional nursing, federal military medical facilities, biologic administration, and crisis intervention. She holds a bachelor of Applied Arts and Science from the University of North Texas with concentrations in nursing, sociology, and journalism. This is a degree she built deliberatly, as a bridge between two careers that were always meant to compliment one another.
She is trained to observe. She is completed to write.
Full Writing & Nursing Credentials
Nursing Experience *05/1998-Present*
- Dallas Medical Center – Employee Health Nurse, Patient Experience Champion, & DCI Instructor
- University of North Texas – Student Wellness Treatment & Injection Nurse
- Denton County Jail – Correctional Nurse
- Madigan Army Medical Center – Clinic Nurse
- CHI Franciscan – Advice/Triage, and Prior Authorization Nurse, Injecton Nurse, Vaccine Coordinator, & X-ray Technician
- Puyallup School District – Para-educator & Nurse
- Madiline Villa – Medical Records Director
- Providence Medical Center – Home Care and Hospice Nurse
- VA Medical Center – Spinal Cord Injury Unit Nurse Promoted to Advice/Triage Nurse
- Life Care Centers of America – Treatment & Medication Nurse Promoted to Charge Nurse
Writing Experience *2004-Present*
Writing Jobs
- Freelance Writer 2002-Present
- Content Writer @ Examiner.com 2012-2017
- Curriculum Writer @ Spider Magazine 2012-2015
- Curriculum Writer @ Ladybug Magazine 2012-2015
- Proofreader @ Stories for Children Magazine 2008-2010
Past Presentations & Talks
- Tacoma Historical Society 10/2014
- Frank Tobey Jones 10/2015
- Piece County Library Lakewood 10/2015
- Tacoma Public Library Wheelock 10/2016
- Oregon Ghost Conference 10/2016
Past Book Signings
- Le Noir Bazaar 10/2015
- Barnes & Noble 10/2015
- Seattle Mystery Bookshop 12/2016
- University of Washington Bookstore 10/2016
- Barnes & Noble 10/2016
- Barnes & Noble 10/2017
- Barnes & Noble 10/2018
Professional Interviews
- Dr. Bill Bass: The founder of the University of Tennessee “Body Farm”, the world’s first outdoor forensic anthropology research facility and a pioneering force in the science of human decomposition. The Body Farm: Appleseeds Magazine May/June 2010
- Rick Spears: An American comic book writer and filmmaker best known for edgy independant graphic novels. Appleseeds Magazine 2014
- Ross Allison: Professional ghost hunter and owner of Spooked in Seattle Ghost Tours in Seattle, WA. Ghostly Investigations: Appleseeds Magazine October 2011
- Britt Griffith: Television star on SYFY’s Ghost Hunters International and Ghost Hunters. Ghostly Investigations: Appleseeds Magazine October 2011
- Cody Simpson: Australian pop singer and Olympic-level competitive swimmer who transformed from teen idol fame to elite aquatic sport. Interview: September 2012
Books
- Lone Star Shadows / America Through Time / October 27, 2025
- The Ghostly Tales of North Central Texas / Arcadia Publishing / February 4, 2025
- Abandoned South Texas / America Through Time / October 31, 2024
- Haunted North Central Texas /Arcadia Publishing / September 11, 2023
- Wicked Seattle / Arcadia Publishing / March 30, 2020
- Murder & Mayhem in Seattle / Arcadia Publishing / November 28, 2016
- Tacoma’s Haunted History / Arcadia Publishing / September 15, 2014
- Bite of Washington / Createspace Press
- In Mama’s Arms / Createspace Press
- In Daddy’s Arms / Createspace Press
- Mama, What’s a Mud Pie? / Createspace Press
- Cowkids Can Cook / Createspace Press
Adult Articles
- Ghost Town or Town of Ghosts?: 05/2013
- The Ghosts of the Wah-Mee Club: 04/2013
- Cody Simpson Interview: 09/2012
- Writing for Children’s Magazines: Once Upon a Time 09/2008
- Traveling Washington State: In Travel Magazine January / February 2008
- The Kitchen Gets Natural: HomeSavvi 05/2008
- I’m Published! (reprint) Kid Magazine Writers 03/2007
- Little Badges of Courage: Once Upon a Time Summer 2006
- Now Boarding The Trains of Washington State: Traveling Today (a division of I-Parenting Media) 02/2005
Illustrations
- People Come in All Different Colors by Katerina Nordheim 2012
- 123 Greetings: Three e-cards
- Logo design for Flying Wagons Critique Group 2007
- Wiggle the Caterpillar Can Fly: Wee Ones Magazine May/June 2006
- Logo designed for the city of Pateros, WA. 2006
- The Tired Chipmunk: Wee One’s Magazine November/December 2005
- BOOST: Designed logo for BOOST writing critique organization 2005
- Free E-cards: Five e-cards
- The Valentine Surprise: Wee One’s Magazine January/February 2005
Children’s Articles
- Long Road: Appleseeds Magazine 10/2013
- Recorder of Records: Appleseeds Magazine May/June 2013
- Ghosts and the Spirit World: FACES Magazine 10/2012
- Sources of Energy: Boys Quest 08/2012
- Natural Fireworks Reprint: Fun for Kidz May/June 2012
- Dog Tricks: Boys Quest 04/2012
- When Good Humor Goes Bad: FACES Magazine 04/2012
- Sydney Martin Rocks! Highlights for Children Magazine 04/2012
- Viking Runes: Appleseeds Magazine 02/2012
- Ghostly Investigations: Appleseeds Magazine 10/2011
- Nadia Elena Comâneci: Hopscotch for Girls 04/2011
- Amazing Mazes of Maize: Reprint Hopscotch For Girls May/June 2010
- 20 Ways To Say Goodbye: Hopscotch for Girls 02/2011
- It’s A-Mazing!: Appleseeds Magazine Sept/Oct 2010
- The Body Farm: Appleseeds Magazine May/June 2010
- Real Funny Names: Fun for Kidz Magazine 09/2009
- Dalmatian’s – Finding Their Spot in History (Reprint): State Test (Undisclosed) 2009
- Natural Fireworks: Boys Quest 12/2008
- Solar and Lunar Eclipse: Wee One’s Magazine September/October 2008
- Dalmatians – Finding Their Spot in History: Fun for Kidz Magazine 09/2008
- Amazing Mazes of Maize: Fun for Kidz Magazine 05/2008
- Worm Farming: Henrico County School District, Virginia 08/2007
- Octopush: Wee One’s Magazine July/August 2007
- Worm Farming: Stories For Children 06/2007
- The Tired Chipmunk (reprint) CTB McGraw Hill New York State Test 2007
- The Viking Alphabet: Dragonfly Spirit November/December 2006
- Painted Ponies: Dragonfly Spirit September/October 2006
- Wiggle the Caterpillar Can Fly: Wee Ones Magazine May/June 2006
- The Tired Chipmunk: Wee One’s Magazine November/December 2006
- The Valentine Surprise: Wee One’s Magazine January/February 2005
- Keiko and the Missing Tuna Roll: Saplings Magazine (page 4) 01/2005
- Things of December: Saplings Magazine (page 13) 12/2004
- Thankful Friends: Saplings Magazine (page 8) 11/2004
- Making Fun & Festive Pizza: Saplings Magazine (page 6) 10/2004
- Grandma’s Garden: Saplings Magazine (page 17) 09/2004
Awards
- A Memorable Moment: Won honorable mention in SCBWI June 2007 contest themed June Looms
- T’was The Holiday Before Christmas: Won the SCBWI November 2005 contest-themed Turkey Run
- SCBWI- Writing contest theme selected September 2005 (Hook, Line, & Sinker)
- The Christmas Porridge: Spirit of Writing Contest 4th place winner in the children’s literature category
- Island County Fair in Langley, WA: Logo design contest winner in 2004. The design was used in advertisements, bumper stickers, and fair programs.
- Free E-cards: “Made For Each Other” awarded Best E-card Artwork October 2004
Education
- University of North Texas, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science 5/2024
- South Dakota State University, Nursing Refresher Course, 2012-2013
- Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR, 1994-1998
- Certificate in Practical Nursing – 1997
- Associate Degree in General Studies -1998
