We were lucky to catch up with Cathie Beck recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cathie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In 2008, I was a bitter book author. I’d written a memoir and even as I’d had many the short story published, had been a working (award-winning) journalist and was, at that time, a Rocky Mountain News books reviewer – I couldn’t get an agent, let alone a sale.
So, as a paid books reviewer, I had to read mediocre books and give them ratings and my editor at the time thought I was too hard on book authors and that every “C Level” book deserved to be an A – or at least a B. My background is in literature, including Russian literature, so I’d a read a thing or two. I had a clue what beautiful writing is and how the best of the best sustains.
In frustration, I launched a Vino for Every Vixen Book Launch party and treated my memoir like it was the best thing The New York Times ever reviewed. :) – I built a web site, paid for professional book reviews, got a designer to produce a book jacket, launched the book myself with a 6-month-long PR campaign and hit No. 1 Amazon Movers & Shakers —
.
Which got 27 publishers and 16 literary agents wanting to rep it.
Cheap Cabernet: A Friendship sold at auction via a William Morris top-shelf literary agent.
It might not have worked, but I took the risk – 6 months of my life and money I didn’t necessarily have sitting around – and it worked.
Sometimes, you have to do a thing yourself. :)
Cathie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Cheap Cabernet: A Friendship (Hyperion, 2010) went on to win:
Midwest Booksellers Association – Best New Book
Target Stores Emerging Author Selection
Women’s National Book Association Great Group Read – Finalist
Books for a Better Life Award – Finalist
Denver Post Best Seller 5 times,
a Midwest Booksellers Association Best Book.
I wrote book reviews for the Rocky Mountain News, published in the L.A. Times, Poets & Writers Magazine, Writers Digest and was a feature writer for the Denver Post. I am a former columnist for the Boulder Camera, and a literature and journalism professor recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for Excellence in Journalism. My short stories have published in Glimmer Train and other literary publications.
I once twirled a baton at an Indiana Pacers game.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
That I get to write full-time is a dream long-time coming. I was left with two preschool children when I was 21-years-old. I went on to get undergrad and graduate degrees (as did my children) and built a professional life as a paid writer. It all sounds quick and easy-enough in print here.
It was not. I typed, cleaned, bartended and taught baton lessons to pay the rent.
But – if you know who you are and what you want, you can keep making decisions that get you there.
I finished the screenplay of my 1st memoir, Cheap Cabernet: A Friendship and am currently shopping it.
I’m also finishing my 2nd memoir, Hoodbitch.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Your soul – and the world’s soul-at-large, if you will – needs you to pursue your passion.
It’s that simple.
Also, don’t take yourself too seriously.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cheapcabernetthemovie.com
- Instagram: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathieBeck
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathie-beck-37988035b
- Twitter: https://x.com/CheapCabernet
- Other: TikTok
@cathiebeck
Image Credits
I certify that I have the right to use these photos. They belong to me. Cathie Beck