Pink Slips received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Beth Aldrich.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Pink Slips was published June 7, 2017
What’s the book’s first line?
I lied. As the weeks pass the truth will come out.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Pregnant Betsy Ryan is confronted with threatening pink notes from an anonymous person, forcing her to face fears from another attack that happened ten years ago.Together with her extraordinary dog, Barney, parents, and good friend, Misty, she will unearth clues and dig deep to fight for her unborn child and her life.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
While reading a famed book on “how to” for fiction writing, I came across a prompt to write for several minutes about an “anonymous note or phone call”. After a few minutes, memories from fourteen years ago flooded my mind–about the time I was home alone one night with my two-week-old baby. My husband was out at a hockey game with our other two young sons. While sitting quietly with the baby, someone called our house phone (caller I.D. unknown) and began ranting about bloody details from my recent childbirth. Frantic, I hung up the phone and called the police…Fifteen years later, this horrifying experience was the basis for my debut fiction novel, Pink Slips.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The main reason to read Pink Slips is to be entertained and gripped by a fictional story that could actually happen to anyone, anywhere.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The most distinctive thing about my protagonist, Betsy Ryan, is that she is obsessively protective and paranoid, in a mom-kind-of-way. Truth be told, she based on how I sometimes view myself.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
When Pink Slips becomes a movie, I could see Reese Witherspoon playing Betsy Ryan. I also think Drew Barrymore would be a cool Betsy.
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I was in grade school, I dreamed of becoming an author. I would write whenever possible. Then, in college I wrote for the school paper. It wasn’t until after the birth of my third son, that my inner-author popped it’s head out and guided me to work on my award-winning non-fiction book, Real Moms Love to Eat (Penguin/NAL, 2012). A few years later someone asked me when I was planning on writing another book. I told them “I said everything I had to say, in my first book”. Then, curious and inspired, a few days later, I decided to study everything I could get my hands on related to fiction writing. The weeks that followed were filled with night time dreams and ideas swirling in my head. A writing prompt asked me to write about “an anonymous note or call that I had received in the past”. Suddenly, the flood gates opened up as Pink Slips and Betsy Ryan emerged–with her dog, Barney. It took three weeks to write the entire manuscript and several long months to edit and re-write–thanks to some amazing editor. I had so many helpful mentors along the way. The other night time dreams and ideas are being developed into three other novels at this moment.
Is this the first you’ve written?
This is my debut fiction title. My first book was a non-fiction, healthy living cookbook, Real Moms Love to Eat.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a full-time creative thinker. In addition to chasing down my three sons (20, 19, and 13), hanging with my two Tibetan Terriers, and managing our household, I come up with creative ideas and businesses and follow them through to completion. I created, produced and hosted my own PBS-TV series, For Her Information, which aired in 60 cities, as well as in Israel and Turkey. I published a related Chicago magazine where both answered women’s questions about a variety of things, from amazing experts, including three of my favorites, Jane Goodall, Chef Rick Bayless, and Organic Food Hero, Nell Newman.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I write all day long and into the evening. I sometimes lose track of time and have to set timers on my phone to walk the dogs, pick up my son from school, make dinner, and to pee. 😉
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part of being an Indie is the freedom to make decisions, get them done quickly and efficiently, and the joy knowing that I did it on my own. The hardest part about being an Indie is not having the leverage of a big publisher (like I did with my first book) to push your book to larger pubs like USA TODAY, PEOPLE, REDBOOK, NYT, etc. I will work my tail off to get the sales and grab their attention 😉
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I would be honored to work with a traditional publisher on this or any other book. It’s always an honor when someone wants you xoxoxo
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
What motivates me is seeing people truly enjoy my work, actions, or intentions. I am a do-er and am always looking for the next big challenge. I’ve walked up to Roger King at a TV convention and sat down for 20 minutes, talking. Nothing intimidates me. If I make a mistake, I try to learn from it and grow as a person. My goal is to continue creating!
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I LOVE Debbie Macomber. She was a guest on my radio show a few years ago. Such a living doll. I also thank Dean Koontz for getting me through many airport “sits” while being a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, years ago. I love how he includes dogs in his books… a trait I’ve taken on. Thanks Dean!
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I wish I couldn’t written Murder on the Orient Express. First of all, what a cool thing to research, right?! But to captivate us and create the framework for who dunnits, for years to come, is awesome. Recently, I a reviewer compared my writing to Agatha Christie. Whoa! I almost wet my pants!