Interview with Gary D. McGugan
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Author Interview: Gary D. McGugan
Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Diane Lunsford is talking with Gary D. McGugan, author of A Web of Deceit. FQ: It’s such a treat to have the pleasure of chatting with you once again. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your Multima series, and A Web of Deceit was, yet another thrilling read. I have to ask, when you were in the throes of writing the current body of work in this series, were you thinking ahead to how the current work will transition to the next installment? MCGUGAN: Thank you for your warm welcome! It’s great to spend some time with you again. The most accurate answer to your question about thinking of a transition to the next installment is, “Somewhat.” I planted some seeds in the final chapters of A Web of Deceit that signal who some of the major characters might be in subsequent stories and some of the challenges they might face, but I haven’t created a plot or storyline. My wife likes to say I have an “overactive imagination.” She’s probably right. I have every confidence my imagination will create those details quite quickly once I’ve decided to focus on writing the next story. FQ: It’s abundantly clear you love to tell stories and there’s an element that resonates in each title that tracks with current events. I was intrigued with how you incorporated Covid 19 as an imminent threat to global commerce and its dark cloud threat to Multima Corporation, yet you didn’t make it the underlying theme to the storyline. Was that difficult to do considering what the world has endured over the past 15 months? MCGUGAN: When I started writing A Web of Deceit in April 2020, I sensed the pandemic would be long, devastating, and disruptive. History tells us pandemics usually last a couple years. I realized readers would be fed-up with COVID-19 well before they started reading my story and would have little interest in reading more about it. However, I thought a novel would lack credibility if I wrote a story set in 2020 that ignored the coronavirus. So my challenge was to weave the virus into the story, but not let it dominate either the plot or the characters. So far, most reviewers think I achieved that balance and used the pandemic to enrich my tale. FQ: You state in your bio, ‘...After a forty-year career at senior levels of global corporates, Gary started writing with a goal of using artful suspense to entertain and inform...’ Do you miss the intensity of the day-to-day corporate environment or do you think your experiences provide the endless fuel that breathes such life into the epic tales you spin now? MCGUGAN: During my long career, I had the good fortune to work with some of the finest companies on earth. And I was lucky to win some of the most interesting assignments possible. My professional life took me to more than fifty countries and more than 650 cities towns and villages on every continent except Antarctica—where I met interesting people, learned about habits and cultures, and became fascinated with the ways society functions around the globe. I incorporate those experiences and knowledge into everything I write, hoping readers will share my fascination with our world as they enjoy plots with mystery, action, and suspense. Do I miss the corporate world? I miss the comraderie of colleagues and customers, but I devoted massive amounts of personal time to my various roles. At the age of sixty, I realized it was time for me to shift gears, start another career, and begin an entirely new adventure. FQ: In line with my previous question, when writing what was your ‘aha moment’ to hunker down and pen Three Weeks Less a Day and the subsequent titles in this series? MCGUGAN: As an avid reader, I’d long toyed with the idea of writing a book or two, but never had enough time available. It also seemed a daunting task. I wasn’t confident I had the muster to create and complete an entire novel. After leaving the corporate world, I first co-authored a work of non-fiction called Needs Selling Solutions with Jeff Allen—a friend and former colleague. When we completed that book, I realized it would take a lot of work, but the goal of writing an entertaining story seemed achievable. Three Weeks Less a Day took me four years from start to publication. I’ve written a subsequent novel every year since then, and I’m confident there are still lots of good stories to tell! FQ: You’ve stayed incredibly true to a deep-seated plotline with incredible flow from one book to the next. I envision the walls in your writing space wall-papered from floor to ceiling with post-it notes to keep matters straight. Aside from the organization chart in the forward of A Web of Deceit, what are some of the methods you use to keep matters organized and deconflicted? MCGUGAN: The ”Post-it” note décor you describe in your question is very common with many writers. When we exchange our experiences in writing groups, other authors are usually quite surprised to learn I make very few notes and usually destroy my scraps of research once I’ve used them in my stories. My desk typically has no clutter with no more than a few documents or reference books on an adjoining credenza. So far, I’ve been able to rely on my memory to call up details as needed and keep track of the various mischief my characters pursue. FQ: You bounce from the Orient, to Europe, to Canada, to the US and islands in between. The scenery depicted in each location is credible and quite detailed. I’m assuming you’ve been to many of the places where scenes have been set. If you had to pick one place to be a ‘must see’ where would that be and why? MCGUGAN: Yes, I’ve been to virtually every spot I describe in my stories and I think that familiarity gives my stories a boost of reality with fictional plots. Many people ask me to pick one “must-see” location, but I find that an impossible task! Without exception, every place I have visited has some remarkable positive qualities. And every locale comes with some negatives. To me, the joy of travel is seeking out both—learning as much as possible about how a location came to life, what factors shaped its development, and how it evolved to its current state. Whether I’m admiring a picturesque landscape, magnificent architecture, or one of the wonders of the world, I like to think about the “backstory” as much as the current appeal. FQ: Howard Knight is the equivalent of a cat with nine lives. I love how you keep resurrecting his character to hold a key role in each story. How is it this man has escaped the brink of death on more than a few occasions, and will he meet his ‘maker’ if you plan to write another book in this series? Without too much of a spoiler, if it’s time for him to go, will The Organization mob boss Fidelia Morales play a role in his ultimate demise? MCGUGAN: Howard Knight is a perfect example of how easy it is to fall in with a wrong crowd and how difficult it is to escape their clutches. He demonstrates superior intelligence, questionable judgment, and human adaptability with almost every challenge he faces. I’ve been tempted to write Howard out of a story, and almost every reader would agree he’d deserve it, but I suspect he’ll be a useful character in future stories. His role may become more or less important by turn, but his human failings are easy for us all to relate with and usually create a strong emotional bond. We either like him or hate him, so he’s useful to an author either way! FQ: There is a consistent rat in each of your stories that is eyebrow raising when he/she is exposed. Do you know from the onset who that will be (or does the story take on its own life and it naturally tells you who it will be when the time is right)? Please explain. MCGUGAN: I know who the ultimate villain will be when I start because I think it imperative to develop that character so readers will be surprised, or shocked, or disappointed at the appropriate time. I guess it’s possible to change midstream if necessary, but it seems to me that creates a lot more work than necessary. FQ: You get quite technical with the art of hacking and moving money without getting caught. What is your technology background? MCGUGAN: I have no technical training whatsoever. My first experience with a computer was the day I started a new management role with a new company and found one parked on the corner of my desk. I’ve been learning about all aspects of technology since, reading articles, talking to experts, asking questions, and experimenting. I must quickly add that I haven’t actually experimented with any of the technology shenanigans I describe in A Web of Deceit! FQ: Once again, I want to thank you for your time and the treat of reading yet another fantastic and adventurous thriller. Please tell me you are working on the next and if so, are you able to share some insights of what your fans can expect? MCGUGAN: There will be another suspense novel coming, but probably only in 2023. For release in 2022, I’ve started a work of non-fiction. During book signings and promotional events, many people have suggested that many folks might enjoy reading about some of the things I’ve learned from my extensive travel and life experiences. So, I’m developing a “memoirish” book about some of the interesting stuff I’ve learned on my voyage through life and hope to make it as entertaining as a suspense story. I’m shooting for a Spring 2022 release, so I hope you and your readers will stay tuned! I also want to thank you for this opportunity to chat again. I value your interest and appreciate you helping your readers become more familiar with me and my work. Thank you! INTERVIEW WITH GARY MCGUGAN
AUTHOR OF “UNRELENTING PERIL” Review and interview by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (8/19) Gary D. McGugan loves to tell stories and is the author of Three Weeks Less a Day, The Multima Scheme, and Unrelenting Peril. Whether sharing a vision with colleagues in large multinational corporations, helping consulting clients implement expert advice, or writing a corporate thriller, Gary uses artful suspense to entertain and inform. His launch of a new writing career—at an age most people retire—reveals an ongoing zest for new challenges and a life-long pursuit of knowledge. Home may be in Toronto, but his love of travel and broad business knowledge accumulated from extensive experiences around the globe are evident in every chapter Gary writes. Hi Gary, Welcome to Reader Views – thank you for joining us again to talk about the final book in your Multima corporate intrigue series, Unrelenting Peril. What is this story all about? Thanks for the invitation, Sheri. It’s great to be with you again! Unrelenting Peril is a fast-paced story of organized crime’s increasingly bold attempts to infiltrate and control fictional Multima Corporation. The story takes place on four continents as CEO Suzanne Simpson and her leadership team try desperately to ward off repeated attacks on multiple fronts. It’s truly a story of corporate intrigue! As the final book in your series, did you have a notion about how you wanted to bring it all together and wrap things up? Did you know Unrelenting Peril would be the final book for the Multima series when you started the project? I decided early in the process writing Three Weeks Less a Day that I would need three books to tell the complete story. I used The Multima Scheme to dramatically advance the overall mission, and always intended to bring it all together in Unrelenting Peril. As a father and grandfather, I passionately want to see women assume many more influential roles in the corporate world. This trilogy provides a platform to entertain and engage as I portray that passion. The characters that really stand out to me in all three books, but more significantly in Unrelenting Peril, are your female characters. I admire and appreciate them all, even (and maybe especially), the “bad” girls. The depth and authenticity in which you portray them are phenomenal. What were some hurdles you faced when writing from the perspective of the opposite sex and how did you handle those challenges? I’m glad you enjoyed the women! Clearly, development of each of the female characters required proportionately more effort for me than the males, but my interest in promoting and encouraging women in business started early. I coached and mentored several women during my 40-year career with multinational corporations and learned much from their challenges and experiences. I think readers will sense this valuable experience I gained working closely with women. And, which one of those female characters surprised you the most in their development? Which one was the most intriguing to write and why? Janet Weissel is one of my favorites. She is strong and resilient and overcomes a variety of challenges – some of her own making, other from circumstances imposed on her. I tell her story in a way that certainly exposes her character flaws, but help readers perhaps understand why she made decisions and how she coped with the considerable obstacles she encountered. How realistic is the threat of a mobster organization infiltrating the corporate world? Very realistic. It may be one of the greatest threats to the capitalist system as we know it. What distinguishes your Multima corporate intrigue series from others in the genre? To be candid, I don’t know. Unlike some authors, I don’t think of other writers as competitors and don’t analyze other works in my genre to either emulate or differentiate. I like to think I’m writing stories about life and life challenges and use a corporate backdrop because that’s the environment I know most intimately. What have you learned over the course of writing the Multima Series? What is one thing you wish you knew when you started out? It’s been about 2,560 days since I started writing Three Weeks Less a Day, the first in the series. I like to tell people I learn something new virtually every day! So, I can’t begin to describe all I’ve learned – and continue to learn -- in the process. What can you tell us about your publishing experience? How did it differ from book to book? For Three Weeks Less a Day, I worked with Friessen Press a small Canadian firm. I had an enjoyable experience working with them but elected to publish The Multima Scheme with another Canadian publisher, Tellwell Talent. Despite good experiences with both, I learned the value of publishers for emerging authors is somewhat limited. In the final analysis, promotion and publicity really rely on the author, so I self-published Unrelenting Peril. Self-publishing lets me keep more of the income the books generate. Any tips for new authors about the publishing experience? I encourage aspiring writers to join a good writer’s community. Within most of these communities, we find other writers who are also publishers, graphic artists, editors, and proofreaders. Often, these local resources will be more helpful than a publisher. You have an amazing number of personal appearances planned. What do you enjoy most about the marketing aspect? Yes, this year I’m getting excellent support from Canada’s largest bookseller Indigo / Chapters. I’ll make more than 80 personal appearances in their stores in Ontario and Quebec. These events allow me to meet individual readers and chat with them about my books. I genuinely love to meet the people who read my stories. For me, this is unequivocally the best part of marketing! What does literary success look like to you? I write to entertain. If feedback from readers affirms they enjoy my writing, I consider that to be success. Clearly, writing must be commercially viable to continue in the longer-term, but I’m confident sales will continue to grow as people read and talk about my stories with their friends and family. Have you had any requests to continue the series? I know I’m experiencing a bit of withdrawal! Yes! I’m getting lots of interest from readers. While my next book won’t be a continuation of the Multima series, I’m considering another story for 2021. Now that you have a successful trilogy under your belt, what’s next in terms of your writing career? In 2020, I’ll release another suspense novel. The new book won’t use Multima Corporation in the background but will feature three characters readers have come to know in the trilogy. I think people will enjoy the entirely new paths I create for them! Do you have anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Yes. I’d like to thank every reader for his or her support! I always encourage folks to let me know how they find my stories, and I read every email or comment they may post. And I want to also thank you, Sheri, for your reviews of all three stories. I’m sure those who have not yet read my stories will truly benefit from your critical reads and assessments! Gary, thank you so much for visiting Reader Views today, and over the last few weeks. It has truly been a pleasure talking with you about your Multima series! CONNECT WITH GARY D. MCGUGAN! Website: https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com Monthly Blog: https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com/rendezvous-blog Facebook: @gary.d.mcgugan.books Twitter: @GaryDMcGugan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgarydmcgugan MEET GARY D. MCGUGAN!For readers living in Ontario, Gary has personal appearances planned in more than 80 locations of Canada’s largest bookseller – Chapters/Indigo between April and November 2019. Stop by and say hello. Visit his website to find a list of his upcoming events: https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com/news--events.html LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MULTIMA CORPORATE INTRIGUE SERIES! Read our book review for Three Weeks Less a Day Read our interview with Gary D. McGugan about Three Weeks Less a Day Read our book review for The Multima Scheme Read our interview with Gary D. McGugan about The Multima Scheme Read our book review for Unrelenting Peril INTERVIEW WITH GARY MCGUGAN
AUTHOR OF “THE MULTIMA SCHEME” THE MULTIMA SCHEME Gary D. McGugan Tellwell Talent (2018) ISBN 9781773706450 Review and Interview by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (8/19) Gary D. McGugan loves to tell stories and is the author of Three Weeks Less a Day, The Multima Scheme, and Unrelenting Peril. Whether sharing a vision with colleagues in large multinational corporations, helping consulting clients implement expert advice, or writing a corporate thriller, Gary uses artful suspense to entertain and inform. His launch of a new writing career—at an age most people retire—reveals an ongoing zest for new challenges and a life-long pursuit of knowledge. Home may be in Toronto, but his love of travel and broad business knowledge accumulated from extensive experiences around the globe are evident in every chapter Gary writes. Hi Gary, Welcome to Reader Views – it’s a pleasure to have you back to talk about The Multima Scheme, the second book in your Multima corporate intrigue series. What is The Multima Scheme about? Thanks for having me back, Sheri! The Multima Scheme is an entertaining tale about the persistent threats of some nefarious forces in organized crime to infiltrate powerful companies like fictional Multima Corporation. As a reader, it was exciting to dig into The Multima Scheme right after finishing Three Weeks Less a Day. How soon after you published your first book did you begin writing your sequel? I began writing The Multima Scheme while my publisher was still fiddling with layouts and cover designs for the first book in the trilogy - Three Weeks Less a Day. Writing the final chapters of the first novel, I started visualizing how Suzanne Simpson might develop and the role she should play in The Multima Scheme. Did you have a preconceived idea about how you wanted The Multima Scheme to play out or did the plot line develop over time? I had a clear idea how the character Suzanne Simpson would evolve and how her story would play out. I was more ambivalent about a couple other characters and created new twists and turns in the plot to develop more suspense in the story. This led to unexpected endings for them. How much of the story came as a surprise to you as you were writing? Did any of your characters end up doing something you hadn’t planned on, taking the story in a new direction? I think readers will be quite surprised by the character Fidelia Morales. Her ultimate direction came as a bit of a surprise to me also! But I think readers will agree her unexpected pivot adds to satisfaction with the story’s eventual outcome. You mentioned in our last interview that it took four years to write Three Weeks Less a Day. How long did it take to write The Multima Scheme? Was it easier, harder or just different? The Multima Scheme took about 15 months to prepare. “Just different” would be a good description of the experience. While writing the second story, I was intently focused on getting the book completed. As a result, I was more disciplined and sacrificed sales and promotion efforts to concentrate on writing. From that experience, I’ve learned successful writers today must spend as much time promoting books as actually writing them! What are some of the challenges in writing a sequel? I had two primary goals that create challenges. First, I wanted each of my novels to be independent, self-contained stories. Second, I was determined to avoid annoying readers of Three Weeks Less a Day with a lot of repetitive details. I think I successfully achieved both objectives. How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing believability? I like to ask the question, “Is it plausible?” Readers of fiction expect authors to stretch the boundaries to create interest and suspense. For every twist and turn, I ask that question during every review and edit. If it doesn’t pass my ‘plausible’ test, I find a way to tweak the plot to make it more believable. There are a number of characters that morphed into totally different personalities in The Multima Scheme. What was it like to take already well-developed characters and dig even deeper into their psyches? Most of us have some complexity. Over time, I find some people are not who they first appear to be. I like to weave that truth into my characters to make them become more authentic and allow readers to better relate to them. Who is the most interesting character development-wise in The Multima Scheme? Readers will have to decide that for themselves! Fugitive Howard Knight, executive Suzanne Simpson, conniving Janet Weissel, or aspiring Douglas Whitfield. They all demonstrate quite interesting attributes readers probably won’t initially expect. Which character in your book are you least likely to get along with and why? Multima Financial Services president James Fitzgerald is a staid, predictable, and perhaps even boring individual who likes to follow all the rules, all the time. I don’t! If your books were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? I have no idea! I’ll stick to writing entertaining stories and let folks with a passion for movies answer that one. Your stories are so creative – how do you come up with your ideas? Have you ever taken any creative writing courses? Some studies conclude people who read fiction may develop the creative side of their brain more fully. I’ve always enjoyed reading novels and study the ideas and techniques other writers use. In the corporate world, I learned early the value of the concept of ‘thinking outside the box’ and try to let my imagination run wild as often as possible. What do your family and friends think about your writing? How do they support your writing career? How did it feel sharing your work with them for the first time? I have an exceptionally supportive family and network of friends around the globe. I’m deeply indebted to them all. They not only buy my books; these great people promote them! Several frequently share posts on social media to help spread the word. All encourage their friends, neighbors, and associates to visit book signings and other events. My books are a source of pride and satisfaction every time I share my work with a reader. With family and friends, even more so, because I’m confident they’ll each derive some level of enjoyment. Do you feel you’ve grown as a writer since you began your first novel? How? Every day I look back on some positive learning experience I’ve gained from my writing. From technique to structure or style, I think every element of my writing improves with experience, practice, and an eagerness to learn and adapt. What can readers expect from your final book in the Multima series, Unrelenting Peril? I think Unrelenting Peril may be the best novel of the trilogy. The story is entertaining, complex, and packed with action. Readers will see my penchant for telling stories in international settings, using a rapid pace with short chapters. I think they’ll want more. So, I’m already working on another novel to be released in 2020. It won’t have Multima Corporation in the background, but it will feature a couple intriguing characters from the Multima trilogy as they follow markedly different paths! Gary, thank you for visiting Reader Views today. It was a pleasure learning more about you and your work! INTERVIEW WITH GARY D. MCGUGAN
AUTHOR OF THREE WEEKS LESS A DAY Gary D. McGugan FreisenPress (2016) ISBN 9781460293263 Review and interview by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (7/19) Gary D. McGugan loves to tell stories and is the author of Three Weeks Less a Day, The Multima Scheme, and Unrelenting Peril. Whether sharing a vision with colleagues in large multinational corporations, helping consulting clients implement expert advice, or writing a corporate thriller, Gary uses artful suspense to entertain and inform. His launch of a new writing career—at an age most people retire—reveals an ongoing zest for new challenges and a life-long pursuit of knowledge. Home may be in Toronto, but his love of travel and broad business knowledge accumulated from extensive experiences around the globe are evident in every chapter Gary writes. Hi Gary, thank you for joining us today at Reader Views. To start, tell us a bit about your writing journey – when did you start writing and what was an early experience where you learned that language had power? It’s great to be with you, Sheri. I’ve loved reading as long as I remember and have enjoyed writing for just as long. For me, writing has taken many forms. Like most, it started with assigned essays as a student and then evolved with my 40-year business career. I’ve written magazine articles, letters, speeches, reports, ads, brochures, presentations, proposals, and a blog. Writing became a full-time career when I retired from corporate life, and 2019 marks 10 years since my first work of non-fiction was published. What is Three Weeks Less a Day about? Three Weeks Less a Day tells a fast-paced story about 20 dramatic days in the life of fictional Multima Corporation. Its founder urgently seeks a successor to become the new CEO and we watch how his carefully crafted plan unravels! What inspired this story? Millions of people work for large multinational companies, yet few get a glimpse into the workings and machinations at the most senior levels of management. Three Weeks Less a Day provides an entertaining peek into the boardroom. We see how elite executives work and live. But we also learn how easy it may be for criminal and other nefarious forces to infiltrate some of the largest publicly-traded companies in the world. One of your main characters in the story, John George Mortimer, the CEO of Multima Corporation, is battling breast cancer, which is much less common among men than women. It’s an interesting and unusual development for a male character. What motivated this part of the storyline? When I needed to create an urgent situation for John George Mortimer to identify a replacement, our daughter and a male colleague were both battling breast cancer. Fortunately, both recovered completely. But I came to realize treatment information and options for women seemed far more developed than those available for men. More than 5,000 North American men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. So, I wanted to use John George to help make more people aware men should also be checking for lumps and other cancer indications. Early discovery and treatment almost always bring a better outcome. There are so many layers to your wonderful characters. The division presidents are all so polished and capable, yet they each practice very different management styles. Can you give us a brief description of their influences and styles? I’m glad you enjoyed the characters! I had fun creating and developing each of them. Wendal Randall is president of Multima’s Technology business. He’s what a lot of people consider a nerd with a brilliant mind and a passion for all things technical. He “thinks outside the box” continuously and relates much more comfortably to technology than people. Suzanne Simpson is president of Multima’s Supermarket division and is a well-rounded and skillful executive. Her superlative ‘people skills’ are legendary. They instill unwavering dedication and loyalty among her associates and subordinates. James Fitzgerald is president of Mutima’s Financial Services group with unapparelled expertise in all matters financial. Many would consider this character a little bland with rigid self-discipline and extraordinary good judgment that wins respect from all. Which one of your characters did you have the most fun with creating? Is there one you relate to most? I really enjoy them all. Wendel was the most complex to create because his intelligence offers so much potential, while his multiple character flaws provide unique opportunities. How does your experience in the corporate world translate into your fictional stories through the characters and/or events? I understand the culture and environments in the upper echelons of business intimately. For readers, this creates a sense that Three Weeks Less a Day could have some truth to it even though they know I’m writing fiction. However, the plot and characters are entirely the product of what some might call my overactive imagination! How involved was your research? I worked in the corporate environment for 40 years and personally visited or lived in all the places where the story takes place. So, we might think about the story as a compilation of a lifetime of learning and research. Are there certain parts of the story where you took more creative liberties with than others? I get the FBI involved in the story. I never visited the place where they do their work in the story and have no direct knowledge they even do the work I describe. But there is enough media speculation that my scenario seems plausible to most. How long did it take you to write Three Weeks Less a Day? Four years. And that’s not because I’m a slow writer! In fact, I had 2 fundamental objectives. First, I wanted my debut novel to have impeccable quality so readers would want to read the stories that followed. I also wanted to create a book that would be very broadly appealing to adult women and men of all ages. I used 4 editors to bring their different biases and perspectives to my work. My editors were female and male, younger and older. Each provided valuable insight that helped to broaden the appeal of Three Weeks Less a Day for both women and men from 18-80. Did you set out to write a series when you started writing the first book? Initially, I didn’t intend to write a trilogy. My intention with Three Weeks Less a Day was to write one entertaining novel with the highest quality possible. As I fine-tuned the ending, I decided to finish the story in a way that laid a foundation for a second book. With The Multima Scheme, I started with the same intention. But early in the process realized I’d need a third book to complete the story of an era in Multima Corporation’s evolution. The great thing about using a multinational company as a back-drop is the life-span. If a business is well-managed, it can continue for generations! Unrelenting Peril is currently the last story I plan for Multima Corporation. However, I can always return with further stories and create a series should I eventually choose that path. What do you like to read and which authors have inspired your own work as a writer? I like to read very widely. I probably like as much non-fiction as fiction because I treat reading as part of my continuous learning process. I think every writer can benefit from an inquisitive mind and enduring curiosity. I’ve read many of James Patterson’s earlier works and emulate his style with short chapters, short paragraphs, and quick pace. Being an author is a full-time job these days. What do you enjoy most about the process? My favorite part of the process is telling a story. I love putting my thoughts to paper and creating a novel. I equally enjoy meeting my readers and potential readers to share “the story about the story.” Many writers, it seems, are introverted by nature. Coming from the business world, I wouldn’t imagine that to be an issue with you. How has your corporate background helped with your marketing and promotion efforts? You’re right. I love to meet new people. Promoting my work is a part of the job I look forward to and take advantage of every opportunity possible. Right now, Canada’s largest bookseller – Chapters / Indigo -- is offering excellent support. I’ll make personal appearances in more than 75 of their locations between April and November 2019. Readers who like to come say hello can find upcoming events on my website with this link: https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com/news--events.html Where can readers connect with you and learn more about you and your work? Thank you for asking! I’m very accessible and thanks for this opportunity to chat with you! Website: https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com Monthly Blog: https://www.garydmcguganbooks.com/rendezvous-blog Facebook: @gary.d.mcgugan.books Twitter: @GaryDMcGugan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgarydmcgugan |