Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Copeland Brzostowicz.
Hi Tricia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a small, rural town in south Georgia. After an experience with a medical research trial, I became interested in the field of genetics. I was accepted to Ga Tech and started my biological science degree. However, due to challenges and pressures, I began to limit my food intake, workout excessively, and developed anorexia. Six months later, at seventy-two pounds, I dropped out of school and entered a treatment program thinking I’d never get my life back on track.
But I was determined to get healthy and follow my dreams. I worked hard in my recovery and within three months secured a position in a chemistry lab. I applied to Ga State University and began taking evening classes. It took three years to finish my bachelor’s degree in microbiology supporting myself with a full-time job. The next fall I entered the University of Ga graduate program in microbiology.
I graduated with a Master’s degree and began my dream career as a researcher in Dupont’s biotech group. Within a few years, I moved into the patent field and became a registered patent agent. Following my work with Dupont, I started a business and now help entrepreneurs, startups, and tech companies secure patent protection through my company, Superior Patent Group.
My other passion grew into a fiction writing career. I’ve published twenty-one novels spanning genres from young adult fantasy, dystopian sci-fi, and inspiring romance. My first series, Being Me, is a fictionalized account of my experience with, and recovery from, anorexia.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve faced many challenges from overcoming anorexia, to supporting myself through college, wondering each month if I would have enough to pay rent, insurance, and buy groceries, and starting and growing a business, while raising a family.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A few years ago, I felt the need to help others who may be struggling with eating disorders and mental health challenges. My obsession with sharing my story of hope became a four-book series and launched my indie author career. With a passion for storytelling, I kept writing. Each of my books includes a heroine or hero who keeps fighting for what they believe in, is discovering who they are, or searching for their place in the world, discovering what I call their magic. In my stories, I’ve hoped, not only entertain, but inspire others to look for magic, whether in the world around them, the act of falling in love, within, or perhaps even inside a book.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
With my time and money, I am not a risk taker. I invest both after weighing priorities and value. But writing the story of my experience with anorexia and sharing that has felt risky for me. Publishing any type of art opens you up to critiques that sometimes you don’t want to get. This risks I’ve been willing to take feel worth it because of the feedback for my books and the community of readers and authors I’ve grown.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.triciacopeland.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortriciacopeland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriciaCopelandAuthor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciacopelandbrzostowicz/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tcbrzostowicz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHpvjj9L3od2SLTS4zJTjA
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/triciacopelandauthor
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/6s0imhxH3qgQiHhNhpIxwF
Image Credits
Heidi Howard Photography
