PPB March 2016

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MARCH 2016 • PPB • 63
PPB How long have you
been writing, and what kinds
of stories have you written?
Dodd I’ve been writing for
about 25 years; it’s both a
hobby and a passion. I’ve
written three memoirs and
seven novels. One of my
memoirs was about the loss
of my first wife to cancer;
another was about my jug-
gling ministry, which I use to
share the gospel at assisted
living facilities. My seven nov-
els are based on everything
from historical fiction to sci-
ence fiction to romance.
There’s a Christian element to
every one of my books.
PPB Mirror Magic is a mys-
tery that is set in the promo-
tional products industry.
What’s the story about?
Dodd Part of the book is
about a struggle between a
promotional mirror supplier
and a distributor, but it is also
about subliminal messaging;
the mind can register infor-
mation outside of awareness.
The book is obviously fiction,
but it relates to the industry
itself.
PPB What inspired you to
choose an industry trade
show as the backdrop for this
story?
Dodd Like anything in pro-
motional products, you see
one thing and it makes you
think of another. I’ve had a
longtime fascination with pro-
motional mirrors, and I saw
an opportunity to further
develop the plot at a trade
show. The first chapter is
devoted to a specific trade
show; I mention PPAI several
times in the story.
PPB What methods do you
use to promote your work; in
particular, Mirror Magic ?
Dodd My books are self-
published, so I can get them
into print quickly. Mirror
Spirit, an industry supplier,
has a full-page ad in the
book, which I traded for three
custom backlit mirrors with
the book title on them. The
book is also available as an
ebook, and I offer auto-
graphed print copies to
readers through my site,
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A 20-YEAR career with industry supplier The
Vernon Company and 20 years as an independent multi-line rep for his
own Dodd Consulting Group, Terry Dodd, MAS, has managed to churn
out more than a few stories. He spoke with PPB about his latest book,
Mirror Magic, and about the inspiration he drew from his work as a promo-
tional products professional.
Five Minutes With
Terry Dodd, MAS
A STORIED
PASSION
“Like anything in
promotional
products, you see
one thing and it
makes you think
of another.”