Patricia A. Saunders was born and raised in Connecticut before relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area nearly 27 years ago. She received her Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix in 2011.
After the passing of her mother who had Alzheimer’s, Patricia decided if she inherited the disease she wanted her words to be her legacy and that all the words that she kept to herself were to be released.
Her work has been featured on a Coast to Coast Book Tour at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Toronto Word On The Street, Sacramento Black Book Fair, Tucson Book Festival, Miami International Festival of Books and AARP Life@50+ Spring Convention.
Recently she was chosen among 100 authors from around the United States to participate in the Author’s Pavilion at the 2018 Congressional Black Caucus Convention in Washington, DC.
Her latest book, Four Seasons of Love, covers all aspect of love broken into four chapters relate to the four seasons.
Patricia, a Supervisor in Silicon Valley, in her spare time she enjoys to travel, wine tasting, and spending time cooking for friends.
BPM: Please share something our readers wouldn’t know about you.
I love to watch documentaries and home decorating shows to get inspired.
BPM: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Loyal, Funny, and Confident.
BPM: Tell us about writing your first non-fiction book. What was the journey like?
It was therapeutic because it was after the passing of my mother. When decided I wanted to write a book I reached out to my niece who was also self published. She explained what she had done and sent a package for me to read.
I researched to find an on demand publisher. I wanted full control of my first book. The journey with the publisher was easier than expected I signed a contract, uploaded my manuscript, paying for a package that included formatting, cover design, copyright, marketing, and promotion.
I met my editor at an event and trusted her to work with myself on three rounds of edits.
Once everything was completed I review my proof and made the approval. Within 4 weeks I was shipped 25 copies of my book to present at my very first book signing.
BPM: Introduce us to your most recent work, Four Seasons of Love: Anthology of Poetry. Available on Nook and Kindle?
Four Seasons of Love is a book of poetry that I separated into four seasons. It covers all the emotions for both men and women. From the moment of attraction, falling in love, and everything in between. A reader who has never read poetry will be able to easily relate to the style of poetry. It captures your attention from the first page until the last. It is available on both Nook and Kindle.
BPM: Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
Sure. There is poetry for those going through separation, grief of losing a love one and for those who need to move forward as well.
BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
That it is never too late to fall in love. Upon doing my research to write I was observing couples of all ages.
BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer during the creative process?
I sit down and start letting the words flow onto the pages of my laptop. I rarely write anything down. I let my imagination run rampant from reading, watching television, and observations. I don’t feel lonely I have to have my solitude to let the creative side express.
BPM: Tell us a little about your creative process. Do you use a computer or write out the story by hand?
I use a laptop majority of the time to write. I have my journals next to my bed, in my car and packed for vacations so that if something motivates me I am either able to start writing the poetry or story.
BPM: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips self-care for creative folks?
I try to burn candles, play music that brings an emotion to the surface and when I get overwhelmed I meditate.
BPM: Share one specific point in your book that resonated with your present situation or journey.
When I wrote the piece called “Dust to Dust” I realized how far I had come from the beginning of my grieving process. I was writing about death but more of my poetry was about living, love and wanting to experience more of life.
BPM: What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?
Time! I work a demanding full time job so planning time to write was challenging.
BPM: Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
I love going to the hair salon and listening to women talk about how they met their mate, giving advice when they are going through something and laughing with them. I call them my Saturday morning crew. Various ages, background but the common thread love!
BPM: Do you have anything special for readers that you’ll focus on this year?
I am always sharing about my books and will have pop up sales.
BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
My next book which will take me out of my comfort zone is fiction.
Explore more of my books: https://www.amazon.com/author/patriciaasaunders
BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Website: http://www.patriciaasaunders.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlessedPoetPat
Books: https://store.bookbaby.com/profile/PatriciaASaunders
Tour Page: https://www.smore.com/8x7ry-there-is-sunshine-after-the-rain
Publisher’s website: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/four-seasons-of-love
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51920878-four-seasons-of-love
Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Four-Seasons-Love-Anthology-Poetry-ebook/dp/B0853CNGR8
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/four-seasons-of-love-patricia-a-saunders/1136544565
Purchase Four Seasons of Love: Anthology of Poetry by Patricia A. Saunders – https://store.bookbaby.com/book/four-seasons-of-love