This week, I present you an email interview with Abby Vandiver, who is a cozy mystery author.
How did our paths cross?
I decided to participate in the ConvertKit Landing Page Challenge in January 2020 to grow my email list. Although I prepared for the challenge and was doing what I learned from Angel Marie at ConvertKit, I didn't seem to be getting the kind of traction I needed.
In one of the weekly ConvertKit video sessions, I learned about newsletter swaps. I had never heard of them before. Searching Facebook, I found two groups. In both groups, I stated exactly what I needed. One group was very new so wasn't appropriate for me. However, two people responded from the older group that they were interested. I contacted both and Vandiver was the only one who followed through. When I checked her out on Amazon I discovered I owned one of her books that I had already read.
Since my email list wasn't nearly as big as the author, I asked myself, “What are other ways that I can serve her?” Interviewing her was one likely way.
What I Found Surprising: I'm surprised that Abby Vandiver doesn't have a book that impacted her. But I'm delighted that she advises people to be lifelong learners. That's not surprising though, since in a former life she was a professor.
Have you read?
How to Prepare Your Mind for Reading Books Plus Book Giveaway
What Does Serendipity Mean, and Can You Plan it?
Part One: Introduction
Avil Beckford: In a couple of sentences, tell me a little bit about yourself.
Abby Vandiver: Former lawyer and Economics professor. I have three degrees, am divorced with two children and four great and wonderful grandchildren. I got my first traditionally published contract at 60!
Avil Beckford: What’s a typical day like for you?
Abby Vandiver: My days are filled with procrastination! I have a To Do list that I either forget to bring with me, or don't look at. I get nothing much done and then I'm in a rush when things are due! Certainly not one to model oneself after.
Avil Beckford: Tell me about your big break and who gave you.
Abby Vandiver: My big break was being able to write full time. But I think the most important thing that happened to me was getting an agent and being published by Penguin (Just talking about it still makes me smile!). I entered a promotion for one of my self-published books and that publisher (a small press) read a sample of my book and asked me to write books for them.
I was floored, but not as much as when right before the first one of those books was set to be published, an agent contacted me (yes she contacted me) and asked to represent me. She hadn't read my book (it wasn't even published yet), but she still wanted me on her team. Then she sold my four chapters and a proposal to Penguin!
Part Two: Career
Avil Beckford: What big steps did you take to succeed in your field? What is one step or action you have consistently taken that has contributed the most to your success?
Abby Vandiver: I didn't do anything to get started here. I was a lawyer and I got sick and was nearly bedridden for close to four years. With nothing to do while waiting for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me, I started writing. I enjoyed it so much that when I got well, I continued to do it. And the one action I take, I believe, is that I “hustle.” Anything I want to do, I research and learn about it and then I go after it.
Avil Beckford: Tell me something that you consider to be important about the work you do that others can learn from?
Abby Vandiver: I don't think there is anything “important” about the work I do. What I do, I hope, is bring enjoyment to others in the form of telling. My hope is to write a story that people will enjoy. That will whisk them away and take them to a new place and introduce them to new friends.
Part Three: Life
Avil Beckford: Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
Abby Vandiver: Can't remember any failures. Things may have not gone as planned, but I didn't fail.
Avil Beckford: What’s one of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make and how did it impact your life?
Abby Vandiver: I react on impulse. I don't usually mull over things and decide what I should do. I just do it. So, I don't think I've had “tough” decisions, I've had life decisions and I learned a long time ago, you live with your decisions whatever the consequences turn out to be.
Avil Beckford: What are three events that helped to shape your life?
Abby Vandiver:
- Being born to the mother I had.
- Falling in love with my ex-husband.
- Wanting to go to college.
Avil Beckford: What’s an accomplishment that you are proudest of?
Abby Vandiver: I'm not one to brag. I'm happy with my life and the things I do, but everyday I endeavor to do better, be better.
Avil Beckford: What are five life lessons that you have learned so far?
Abby Vandiver: You should:
- Listen to your mother.
- Give love a chance.
- Be a life learner.
- Not hold grudges.
- Learn to just say “okay.”
Avil Beckford: Which one book had a profound impact on your life? What was it about this book that impacted you so deeply?
Abby Vandiver: None.
Avil Beckford: Complete the following, I am happy when…..
Abby Vandiver: I spend time alone.
Some of Abby Vandiver's Books
A Deadly Inside Scoop
Logan Dickerson Cozy MysteryLogan Dickerson Cozy MysteryMars Origin I SeriesA Romaine Wilder Mystery
How Avil Can Help You!
I invite you to Join the Performance Accelerator Plan that walks you through the process of learning key skills and more. You’ll be reading books to build skills and develop intercultural awareness. Get more reading and learning tips here.
In December 2020, I published two books on Amazon. I would greatly appreciate your support if you bought my two short e-books Read 30 Books in 30 Days Like Francis Bacon and Performance Accelerator Plan: Guide to Learning and Mastering Key Skills for the Future.
Read 30 Books in 30 Days Like Francis Bacon is not about speed reading. It’s about approaching every book differently and reading only the sections that align with your purpose.
The Performance Accelerator Plan book is a stripped-down version of the paid reading challenge of the same name. Obviously, you won’t get all the resources that come with the program that I sell on my website. But if you are a self-directed learner, it will help you tremendously.
Note: If you click on a link and make a purchase on Amazon, the organization will pay me a small commission.
