Redemption, Reinvention, and Writing, with Richard Podkowski

"As a Secret Service agent, I was a secret writer... I kept my writing hidden for about five years." – Richard Podkowski

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Richard Podkowski, a former U.S. Secret Service agent turned author. Richard takes us on a journey through his career, his novel The Walk On, and his passion for storytelling. We dive into the themes of redemption, how professional athletes' lives parallel this idea, and what it takes to transition from law enforcement to the world of fiction writing.

Key Themes

1. Transitioning to Writing: Richard shares his personal journey from writing investigative reports for the Secret Service to crafting compelling fiction.
2. The Writing Process: How Richard secretly wrote his novel while balancing family and a career, and the challenges of getting published.
3. Motivation and Persistence: Insights into staying motivated as a writer despite setbacks, including a multi-year break from writing.
4. The Walk On and Redemption: Richard discusses how his debut novel explores the theme of redemption through the lens of a fallen NFL player.
5. Exploring Different Genres: Richard's passion for writing beyond thrillers, including romantic comedies, and his screenplay aspirations.
6. Consulting in Film and TV: His emerging role as a technical advisor for crime and law enforcement accuracy in the entertainment industry.

Buy The Walk On

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fYwd66

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798885280334

Connect with Richard

Website: https://richardpodkowski.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard_podkowski

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.podkowski

Twitter:https://x.com/RPodkowski

Connect with Mike

Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/

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