PUYB Virtual Book Club Chats with 'Chasing Hindy' Darin Gibby

In addition to a thriving career as a novelist, author Darin Gibby is also one of the country’s premiere patent attorneys and a partner at the prestigious firm of Kilpatrick Townsend (www.kilpatricktownsend.com). With over twenty years of experience in obtaining patents on hundreds of inventions from the latest drug delivery systems to life-saving cardiac equipment, he has built IP portfolios for numerous Fortune 500 companies. In addition to securing patents, Gibby helps clients enforce and license their patents around the world, and he has monetized patents on a range of products.

Darin’s first book, Why Has America Stopped Inventing?, explored the critical issue of America’s broken patent system.  His second book, The Vintage Club, tells the story of a group of the world’s wealthiest men who are chasing a legend about a wine that can make you live forever. His third book, Gil, is about a high school coach who discovers that he can pitch with deadly speed and is given an offer to play with the Rockies during a player’s strike. Gil soon discovers, however, that his unexpected gift is the result of a rare disease, and continuing to pitch may hasten his own death.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, he is highly regarded in Denver’s legal and business community as a patent strategist, business manager, and community leader. He is also a sought-after speaker on IP issues at businesses, colleges and technology forums, where he demonstrates the value of patents using simple lessons from working on products such as Crocs shoes, Izzo golf straps and Trek bicycles.
An avid traveler and accomplished triathlete, Darin also enjoys back country fly-fishing trips and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. He lives in Denver with his wife, Robin, and their four children.

His latest book is the thriller, Chasing Hindy.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

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About the Book:

ADDY’S DREAM AS a patent attorney is to help bring a ground breaking energy technology to the

world. Addy’s hopes soar when she is wooed by Quinn, an entrepreneur, to join his company that has purportedly invented a car that can run on water using an innovative catalyst. After resigning her partnership to join Quinn, Addy discovers things aren’t as they seem. The patent office suppresses the company’s patent applications and her life is threatened by unknown assailants if she doesn’t resign.

When she is arrested for stealing US technology from the patent office she realizes Quinn has used her. Now, Addy must find a way to clear her name while salvaging her dream of propelling this technology to the world, all while powerful forces attempt to stop her.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

Chasing Hindy revolves around a technology that allows cars to run on water. As such, I did considerable research on hydrogen fuel cells and what it would take to efficiently extract hydrogen from water.  As a patent attorney, I already knew how fuel cells work, but making the story what really could be reality took a lot of digging and speaking with a lot of people having a PhD title.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

I chose to go with Koehler Books, an independent publisher.

If published by a publisher, what was your deciding factor in going with them?

Koehler books published my last two books, The Vintage Club and Gil, and we’ve had a great working relationship.  As such, I decided to use them for Chasing Hindy as well.

If published by a publisher, are you happy with the price they chose?

Koehler Books is pretty savvy about what price will drive the most sales.  And, every now and then I will run a promotion and they’ll let me drop the price for a few days which is nice as well.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

Not for this book, but I have in the past.  For example, Gil is a baseball book and we rushed to get it published for the World Series. And, we got lucky because it went seven games and was probably the most exciting series ever.  Sales soared!

How did you choose your cover?

Koehler Books has a program where they generate about 5 covers based on your input.  Then you narrow it down to your top two.  From there, they post it on their website and let the public vote.  The one we ended up with shows a ripple created by a drop of water.  The water is changing to gold, symbolizing the dream that everyone is chasing.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I write the entire book and then revise.  But for this book, I wrote the book at least 5 times and threw 4 of them in the garbage.  I could never get a character I liked until I came up with Addy.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book? 

Not yet, but I’m thinking about it.

Did you consider making or hiring someone to make a book trailer for your book?  If so, what’s the link?

I did a trailer for The Vintage Club, but I learned that there are better ways to spend a marketing budget. As such, I haven’t used one since.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I think it is a great idea, but Koehler Books has a different perspective.  I recently did a freebie for my first book and it was a  huge success.  I’d do it for every book if I could.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

1. Get great endorsements

2. Have a sharp website

3. Update all your social media sites

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

1. Talk to everyone about your book.

2. Spread the word using social media

3. Run promotions

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out? 

For Chasing Hindy, I’m doing announcements on social media, getting reviews, doing a blog tour, setting up promotions and giveaways and telling everyone I can think of.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

I would love to have it turned into a movie.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

If you like fast paced thrillers with strong characters, you’ll love this book. When you get finished, you may actually believe that someday we may all be driving cars fueled with water.