We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Perrie Patterson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Perrie, thanks for joining us today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

Advertising and social media are key. Today we see ordinary people, kids and college students become famous almost overnight through a post or through their own platforms on social media.

Creating a presence online through the use of multiple social media platforms is effective. Also having others share and tagging your page or social tag can also spread the word about what you do and what you have to offer or sell.

Making sure you have great content and images and posting often brings new interest to your site (s).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a fashion merchandising major in college, I had worked in retail management for many years and had a plan to open my own boutique one day. So, writing novels was never on my bucket list——-much less writing 7.

But as my children got older and plans for the store got closer, the more I thought about it, having my own store became less interesting and less of a desire. For several reasons it just didn’t feel quite right. It was then I asked myself a very important question, and that was . . . If I could do anything in the world what would it be?

I answered myself with . . . write novels! Although, I knew it sounded ridiculous, it was the most heartfelt, honest answer I could have given. But it was also something I knew absolutely nothing about. And it was also something I didn’t believe I could actually do. I mean, what would I write about? What would my characters have to say?

A few days later, I had a weird but vivid dream about JFK, Jr., his wife, his assistant, a secret baby and an assassination attempt. I wrote everything down and said . . . “That’s it! A college sophomore is moving into her sorority house with her best friend and has to take a famous author’s class. In that class she has to write a paper which is the dream I had which leads her to win an opportunity for an internship in New York, and the guy she trips over on the first day of class has something to do with the story she writes, but you don’t find out what that is until later in the book.”

And my first novel Walking the Crimson Road was born. I wouldn’t say it’s my best, it gets better near the end, but it was my first and the start of a four-book series known as the Crimson Series.

That first book led me to write a YA sports romance set to the background of competition cheerleading titled Hit Zero: Have Faith Like.a Flyer and Know Who Will Catch You When You Fall.

From there two more books in the Crimson Series were written: My Blood Runs Crimson and All the Crimson Roses: Flowers Fade but Legends Never Die. Then I wrote a historical fiction set during the 18th century based on Washington’s Spies titled: Leader of Liberty: Tale of America’s First Spy Ring. Then came a contemporary romance set between Atlanta and New York City called The Tulip Tea Twenty-Four Hours in NYC. And then a fourth installment in the Crimson Series was written titled: Forever Crimson, a true standalone in the series as it’s set 15 years after All the Crimson Roses and is told from the POV of the daughter of one of the main characters from the original three novels.

And I have plans to write an eighth novel which will be another historical fiction, and will be based on the life of John Handcock.

Because my historical fiction is so popular, I’m asked to speak to groups and organizations on a monthly bases about the history behind the novel. I will be in Setauket, Long Island for Culper Spy Ring Days on September 7, 2024 and will be speaking to many DAR chapters throughout Georgia and even traveling to Colorado to speak to a DAR chapter there about the founding figures of our nation and the story behind the novel.

Your group or organization can have me speak and do a book signing too.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love writing novels and telling stories that give hope or provide an escape, but I also serve as the Chestatee River Chapter, NSDAR Regent which is like having a full time job although completely voluntary.

The DAR is a nonprofit, volunteer service organization that was founded in 1890 by four women and focuses on historical preservation, education, scholarships, patriotism and serving our active military and veterans. There are over 40 committees within the DAR and it’s an honor to serve this organization within the Georgia State NSDAR and National DAR.org.

I also lead a ladies Bible study group through Brown’s Bridge Community Church . I mentor a student at an elementary school, and I’m a member of The Forsyth County Optimist Club, and I host a podcast called The Talking Book Atlanta where I interview authors of all genres. The Talking Book Atlanta can be found on Spotify, Facebook, and Instagram.

Within my small group leadership through Brown’s Bridge Community Church, I helped to start Harvesting Hope for Jesse’s House a fall fundraiser that helps provide needs for local Cumming nonprofit Jesse’s House which for the past 25 years, Jesse’s House has rescued girls throughout Georgia from situations of abuse, neglect, or who have been trafficked. Because the state only provides 47% of the cost for expenses the other 53% comes from donations and fundraising.

The 2nd annual Harvesting Hope for Jesse’s House will be September 12-15, 2024 at Stoney J’s winery also in Cumming, GA. On September 12 there will be a hat craft night where a portion of ticket sales benefits Jesse’s House. On Friday, September 13 there will be a Sip and Sign Atlanta Authors’ Night sponsored by Poe & Company Bookstore featuring 10 Atlanta authors (myself included) and a portion of book sales benefits Jesse’s House. On Saturday, September 14, there will be a huge silent auction, wine pull and reserved tables via donation. Tables can be reserved through www.jesseshouse.org

And September 12-15 all Stoney J’s patrons will be able to round up their bills to have that donated to Jesse’s House too. Stoney J’s is a popular location for food, desserts, wine and live music and it has been a joy to work with the owners of Stoney J’s winery on Harvesting Hope for Jesse’s House these past two years.

Through my position with the DAR, we have been able to help support the Historical Society of Cumming/Forsyth County on the restoration of the historic Sherrill House property. The Historical Society of Cumming/Forsyth has plans to turn the house into a multi-cultural museum. Our Chestatee River NSDAR chapter has been able to support this project through revamping the gardens, planting trees and pollinators and has acquired thousands of dollars in donations to support the Sherrill House restoration.

I feel very grateful to be a part of these wonderful groups, nonprofits and support within my community.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As the chapter regent for the Chestatee River DAR, we have over 125 female members as this is an all-female service organization, so it is imperative to make sure everyone feels welcome at chapter meetings and feels like they can find their place within one of our many committees that they will be passionate about. Good communication is key, and recognizing effort, recognizing service and thanking people for their time and commitment to the group allows them to feel a part of something larger than themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.perriepatterson.com
• Instagram: @always.n.style and @thetalkingbookatlanta
• Facebook: Perrie Patterson Author
• Linkedin: Perrie Tucker
• Twitter: @PerrieT
• Youtube: The Talking Book Podcast
• Other: TikTok @authorperriepatterson

Image Credits

Perrie Patterson Books