We're happy to have Richard L. Mabry, M.D. with us today talking about his books, Code Blue and Medical Error. To learn more about Richard and his book, read on!
1) How did these stories come to you?
With Code Blue I decided to follow a young doctor who retreats to her home town to put her life together, drawing on my thirty years of medical practice and my knowledge of towns like the mythical Dainger, Texas.
The inspiration for Medical Error was the experience of a family member with identity theft. I began wondering, “What effect could that have on a doctor and his/her patients?” After that, the story just flowed.
1) How did these stories come to you?
With Code Blue I decided to follow a young doctor who retreats to her home town to put her life together, drawing on my thirty years of medical practice and my knowledge of towns like the mythical Dainger, Texas.
The inspiration for Medical Error was the experience of a family member with identity theft. I began wondering, “What effect could that have on a doctor and his/her patients?” After that, the story just flowed.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting these book published.
After three unsuccessful novels and forty rejections, I actually quit writing, but a series of circumstances convinced me to try once more. I signed with agent Rachelle Gardner, who pitched my latest book, which became Code Blue, to editor Barbara Scott who was charged with starting the fiction line at Abingdon Press. Through a series of circumstances that can only be termed providential, I wound up with a three-book contract with Abingdon.
After three unsuccessful novels and forty rejections, I actually quit writing, but a series of circumstances convinced me to try once more. I signed with agent Rachelle Gardner, who pitched my latest book, which became Code Blue, to editor Barbara Scott who was charged with starting the fiction line at Abingdon Press. Through a series of circumstances that can only be termed providential, I wound up with a three-book contract with Abingdon.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
a) I’ve played volleyball with the Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers and baseball with Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees.
b) I love TV sitcoms, especially the old ones.
c) I’ve sung with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
a) I’ve played volleyball with the Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers and baseball with Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees.
b) I love TV sitcoms, especially the old ones.
c) I’ve sung with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve just completed reviewing the galley proofs for my third novel, Diagnosis Death, which will be published by Abingdon Press next spring.
Now I’m working on another novel of medical suspense, Strong Medicine. It deals with a “wonder drug” that has side effects, hidden by one of its developers and now putting patients’ lives in danger.
I’ve just completed reviewing the galley proofs for my third novel, Diagnosis Death, which will be published by Abingdon Press next spring.
Now I’m working on another novel of medical suspense, Strong Medicine. It deals with a “wonder drug” that has side effects, hidden by one of its developers and now putting patients’ lives in danger.
5) Parting comments?
If you’re a writer, never stop trying to improve your craft. And don’t give up. If the only person who reads your work is you, you’ve still affected one person.
If you’re a writer, never stop trying to improve your craft. And don’t give up. If the only person who reads your work is you, you’ve still affected one person.
6) Where can fans find you on the Internet?
My website is http://rmabry.com/
My blog is http://rmabry.blogspot.com/
My website is http://rmabry.com/
My blog is http://rmabry.blogspot.com/
I’m providing a signed copy of Code Blue and another of Medical Error for Dawn to give away. Enjoy!
