Meet Pat Nichols of Author in Duluth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Nichols.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Nine years after I retired from the corporate world, I launched my second career as an author; proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. While writing my first two novels, I studied the craft, sought critiques, connected with other writers, and attended conferences. When I began writing my third novel, I made the decision to pursue traditional publishing. Thus, I attended more conferences and learned how to pitch to publishers. Four years after I first opened my laptop and typed Chapter One, I was blessed with a contract for “The Secret of Willow Inn”, book one of the Willow Falls series.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey from novice to published author is rarely easy. My first two novels were rejected by eight publishers and editors, for good reason; I still had a lot to learn. The good news is, every rejection forced me to become a better writer. Although it has been a bumpy road, it was well worth traveling. I discovered the writing community is close-knit, and authors are eager to share their experiences and knowledge with each other.

Please tell us about your work.
The years I spent working with hundreds of women from all walks of life inspired me to write women’s contemporary fiction. My debut novel “The Secret of Willow Inn” is published by Guiding Light, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Perhaps the best way to describe my style is to quote some of my readers; “The characters come alive as you read. There are surprise twists and turns. It had so many beautiful descriptions that you felt like you were in Willow Falls. The story is incredibly moving. The characters pull you in and hold you as a best friend.”

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I grew up in a loving family, with one sister. My dad was a salesman and my mom a teacher. At one point, I considered following in her footsteps. I married my high-school sweetheart; we celebrated fifty-four years in June. After our son and daughter finished elementary school, I was hired by an international beauty company as a district sales manager. I spent the next twenty-seven years working in seven different management positions with Avon Products, Inc. Now I rely on all those years of experience to create multi-faceted characters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://patnicholsauthor.blog
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patnicholsauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.nichols.52459
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatNichols16
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946016772/

Image Credit:
Pat Nichols

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