TN: Today my interview is with Patricia Gitt, a former business executive turned writer. 

TN: When did you know you were a writer?

PG: I have been writing my entire career. However, I never considered it as anything more than another of my business skills.

TN: What is your writing style?

PG: When I first began to think of writing a book unrelated to my career, I chose to write a novel. Because it was an entirely different form of expression, I sought out seminars and workshops to better understand the differences between creative fiction and drafting factual copy.

TN: Why did you write your first book (fiction)?

PG: I was at a point in my career where I had become somewhat stale. In addition to writing corporate magazines and other documents I was also enrolled in graduate school and traveled a good deal for my job. During those days I spent a lot of time on airplanes and in hotels and wondered where I was going in my career. I asked myself what if I changed my goals and set my sights on becoming CEO of my company…what it would take to make me the best executive possible. That “what if” became the idea for my first novel entitled “CEO.”

TN: Very interesting reason for writing a book. Anyway, to continue…Why did you decide to self-publish?

PG: After querying over 80 agents with no success, I decided to self-publish so I could present my parents with a finished book. They had joined me in this journey that took 25 years from concept to publication. When I presented them with the first copy, they told me how proud they were that I had stuck with it. Their approval was worth the entire effort.

TN: How did you come up with your cover design?

PG: I photographed an office building that I thought represented the company in the book and a designer augmented it by placing the title on the roof of the office building.

TN: What software did you use? For print? For eBook?

PG: The entire book was done in Microsoft word and the publisher formatted it for paper and eBook publication.

TN: What advice can you give to someone who is considering self-publishing?

PG: Do your research to find the publisher that has a reputation for delivering the quality you are seeking. Ask friends, read reviews and talk to the representative to see how responsive they are to your questions since you will be working closely with them throughout the process.

TN: What do you do when you are “stuck?”

PG: Unfortunately, I go out to lunch.

TN: Describe the plot for one of your books.

PG: “FYI An Unintended Consequence” – Fake news terrorizes Taryn Cooper Walsh, managing partner of 4G Investments. Each mysterious mailing contains increasingly vicious lies all suggesting that Taryn is running a highly unethical firm. Supported by her husband, business partners, and friends, Taryn searches for the source of these fallacious clippings before they are leaked and destroy her reputation along with the trust of investors in her firm.

TN: Very pertinent topic these days! Which one of your books is your favorite?

PG: It is hard to pick a favorite book, although the first book “CEO” will probably remain top of the list. Each novel is an improvement in my storytelling capabilities and draws on different experiences and people I have met during my career as an executive in public relations.

TN: Thank you Patricia for the interview, and I wish you continued success with your writing.

https://www.amazon.com/FYI-Unintended-Consequence-Patricia-Gitt-ebook/dp/B072VRK6LS