Friday, March 8, 2013

Mark Gilroy: The Joy of Putting Yourself Where You Can Succeed or Fail Miserably

Everyone's Story welcomes author and senior vice president of Worthy Publishing, Mark Gilroy. I first became acquainted with Mark through his encouraging blog posts. When it comes to publishing, name it, Mark has done it: sports writing, to packing boxes of books, an editor as well as an agent, to ghostwriting, to countless number of other titles, and now as a successful published author. His novels are praised as intense, eerie, funny, riveting, and as fast-paced thrillers. Mark is looking forward to hearing from you!
 

Book Giveaway:
Mark is offering a dynamic book giveaway to 3 randomly selected commenters. Each winner will receive a set of both of Mark's novels: CUTS LIKE A KNIFE and EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE. You may preview the book trailer for the first one below--an awesome video! The winners will be announced on March 15th between 4-6 PM EST. For convenience, please insert your email address into the body of your comment. Thanks... and good luck!





Interview with Mark Gilroy

You’ve been in publishing for more than 30 years; what got you started down that path?

There’s an old adage that success breeds success. I really wasn’t a very good student in elementary, high school, and the beginning of my college career. I did what was considered outstanding work—but only once in a blue moon. I was very inconsistent; I probably would have probably been diagnosed with some form of attention deficit in later generations. But about halfway through my second year of college I added a second major to go along with biblical literature: Journalism. Maybe it was because writing articles felt like a more relevant—and quicker—process than term papers, I immediately started doing better in those classes and then all my classes.  At the beginning of my junior year I got a call from a prof that the local newspaper was looking for a sports intern to take calls from football coaches on Friday nights and write up a digest of local high school games, doing my best to sound like I’d been there. That hit my sweet spot as a sports fanatic and the editor loved my work. I got my own byline that year, which seemed like a huge deal to a 20-year-old. I picked up confidence and it seemed to lift all my class work to another level. So the experience of success as a writer gave me a taste for success in an area I’ve pursued most of my adult years.

On a side note, I’d just say to teens and young adults who haven’t had great success in school and academics, don’t feel stupid and don’t give up; you don’t know what will flip the switch for you academically.


After years as a writer, marketer, manager and publishing executive, what motivated you to put yourself out in the public as a novelist?

I will confess that when I wrote Cuts Like a Knife I did so under a female penname. I wrote a business plan to create a fictional female author to stand in as the author. I started presenting the first novel as an agent to a couple of the New York houses, got some solid meetings and reads, and thought I had it sold. I made it to final review committees with three of the big six publishers, but each eventually said no. I got into an informal conversation about the book with Jeana Ledbetter who heads up acquisitions at Worthy Publishing. She said she’d read it if I told her who really wrote it. I owned up, she followed through, and I had an offer on the table a week later. That’s how I put myself out there; reluctantly.



Why did I finally write a novel? A few of my friends might suggest I’m just slow. I don’t have a good answer other than to say that after reading thousands of novels I woke up one day and said I’m going to write my own novel. Working evenings and weekends—and enjoying almost every minute of it—I churned out 100 thousand words in about six months.


Another aside. If you want to write a novel, start with the writing before you think about the selling. I get approached by people who have the idea for a novel that ask me how to sell it before writing a word. No big deal on getting input into the process, but it’s ultimately about the story and the writing. Non-fiction can be sold with a great outline and sample chapters. But rarely does fiction get sold without being a finished product. If that doesn’t seem right and fair, you better get over that fast. Fiction is a labor of love that always begins with sweat equity.

You’ve had a successful career as a publisher, did you have any fears that your work might not be well received?

That’s a very polite way of putting it Elaine! I’ve had some bad reviews, of course. The good and great have far outweighed those, so they don’t bother me. If the majority of reviews leaned neutral to negative, I’d probably be a basket case. But going into the process, I had a confidence based on two things: (1) I’d read enough great novels that even if I couldn’t pull off great, I might be able to get to good or very good; and (2) I knew with my marketing background I would have enough feedback and common sense to throw it away if people were letting me know it wasn’t going to work. I’d have been happy just to have tried. (I think.)

This may be a bad analogy but I found if I never fell when I skied, I wasn’t pushing myself very hard. We all love comfort and that’s great. But every now and then we have to push ourselves and take a risk; to put ourselves in a place where we can succeed or fail miserably! That’s when we step out of the comfort zone and grow. I can honestly say that writing my novels has been invigorating.

You’ve got a fabulous and fearless lead character in Kristen Conner, a detective for the Chicago Police Department. You’ve had great reviews, but what makes your fiction stand out?

I think it was the approach I took. After reading many of Tony Hillerman’s Jim Chee novels I realized Hillerman wrote very religious novels that weren’t religious novels. (I confuse myself sometimes too.) He had a great detective who happened to be a reflective, introspective devout Navajo. But never once did I read a review that called Hillerman’s novels “Navajo novels.” They were mysteries. When I read Christian novels they were definitely Christian novels. Nothing wrong with that. There are many great starting points as a novelist.

But I decided I would write murder mysteries that just happened to have a detective that loved God, her family, and even her colleagues—and who sometimes fights with all of the above. I was very pleased when one of Amazon’s power reviewers gave both my books great reviews but went to great lengths to say to readers that the novels were written for a general audience, not just a Christian audience. In the USA Today review, the comment was made that Cuts Like a Knife “has a very subtle faith thread that enriches rather than suffocates the story.” I took that as a compliment.

Oh, I think one other thing that makes my novels stand out is that they are written primarily in first-person active, which to me, gives the most poignant and intimate glimpse into a character, but is a tough voice to write in. Then there’s that gender thing. As a male writer I’ve had many ask how I pulled off writing with a female voice. I just answer that with three daughters, it wasn’t as hard as it sounds.

Author Bio:
Mark Gilroy is senior vice president for Worthy Publishing and author of the highly acclaimed novels, Cuts Like a Knife and Every Breath You Take.

You can connect with Mark at:

Mark's Ah-hahs to Tweet:
“If you want to write a novel, start with the writing before you think about the selling.” (Click To Tweet)

“Fiction is a labor of love that always begins with sweat equity.” (Click To Tweet)

“…we have to…put ourselves in a place where we can succeed or fail miserably!” (Click To Tweet)


 

24 comments:

  1. Elaine, thank you so much for introducing me to Mark Gilroy. Such an interesting writer and I love his quotes to tweet. Going to check out Cuts Like A Knife and Every Breath You Take. I would love to win either one! pat at ptbradley dot com

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    1. Well, not Cuts Like A Knife. I just bought it.
      pat at ptbradley dot com

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    2. Welcome back, Pat! I'm glad you enjoyed Mark's interview. Mark will *love* you for purchasing CUTS LIKE A KNIFE :) Happy reading!

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  2. Sure sounds like he has been through the ringer a time or two
    With much knowledge that is oh so true
    The cat enjoyed the interview at your mat
    Writing for another species, how about that? lol

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    1. Pat, you always bring a smile to my face with your visits. Hugs to your furry companions!

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  3. Elaine - just so I'm clear - that is Pat's cat writing with rhyme? Very nice - and very true on the "ringer"!

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    1. Orlin & Cassie--and of course, my cat--are the world's most amazing cats! Okay, Mark, to be fair to you, my guest this week, if you too are owned by a cat, we'll include yours in :)

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  4. Patricia - hope you enjoy!

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  5. Thanks Elaine for introducing Mark to your readers. I have hovered over "Cuts Like a Knife" a few times but now having "met" Mark am off to order it.

    Great perspective about making ourselves vulnerable. It's interesting as an author (as with any profession) we need to continue making ourselves vulnerable throughout the lifecycle of a novel: writing it, selling it, marketing it, and reading people's reviews. We gain the most when we put ourselves out on the edge and allow God to be do His thing. Something I struggle with a lot.

    Ian

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    1. Nice to see you again, Ian. From my perspective as a hopeful pre-published author, I try to bleed on the page while making my characters realistic, and then taking chances of showing my material to the critical eye for both an agent's representation and editor's interest. It's quite interesting having published authors, such as yourself and Mark's, perspective on facing a whole different vulnerability once the novel flies off the press.

      Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I always love adding authors & their work to my list. Fabulous!!

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    1. Nice to see you again, Mary. I'm glad Mark's novels have caught your interest. Happy reading!

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    2. thanks Mary - and hope you enjoy!

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  7. I've been reading about Mark's books in various social media and have been contemplating a purchase. This interview makes me say - yes! I have to read his books.

    As a long-time ABA novelist looking for a new CBA home, I'm also impressed with what I read about Worthy Publishing and how they back their writers, the quality of their list. I'm sue@sueharrison.com.

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    1. Welcome Sue, to Everyone's Story. I'm sure Mark will smile when he reads your comment. Have a great day. Blessings on your writing.

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  8. Mark, you're always an encourager. Enjoyed the interview! Thanks for sharing it, Elaine!

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    1. A warm hello, Kathy. I always smile when I see you name :) Glad you enjoyed Mark's interview... in the back of my mind I've wondered if you two were somewhat neighbors or knew of each other. I love how God connects us all.

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  9. What a fascinating story! I love how you mentioned you felt you could at least write a good novel having read numerous novels. When it comes to so many things in life, we understand excellence comes through learning, practice, and perseverance. But often, with the arts, we think success rests on talent alone. But great writing, like anything else, can and must be learned. (Which is precisely why I absolutely must buy more books! lol)

    I am also impressed by those who, with demanding careers, make the time to pursue their dreams. It is quite inspiring. God's abundant blessings to you!

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    1. Hi Jennifer--it's always a joy to see you here on Everyone's Story. I'm glad you enjoyed Mark's visit.

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  10. Thank you, Mark, for being my guest on Everyone's Story this past week. You've received an awesome viewership not only from the US, but on the international level as well--I'm thinking many new fans! And thanks too for the dynamic book giveaway...

    The 3 winners of Mark's giveaway of both of his novels are:

    Jennifer
    Mary
    Sue

    Congratulations, you three! Both Mark & I will be in touch with you shortly.

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    1. My pleasure Elaine - thanks for the invitation and appreciate the great work you do introducing authors and books to your fans!

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    2. Thanks for the kind words, Mark.

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  11. Mark,
    I just recently heard about your books. I had a friend recommend Cuts like a knife and so I got a copy, it is the next book on my read list. I started to do a search about you to find out more when I came across this article. Thanks for putting yourself out there, and I look forward to reading your work, I have only heard great things about it!

    Thanks!

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    1. Thanks, Caleb, for taking the time to view this piece on Mark. I'm letting him know that you left this thoughtful comment for him. I'm sure he'll be delighted.

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