GC Brown: From Prison Walls to the Top 5 – An Unforgettable Story

His story is one of extraordinary transformation. With raw talent, unwavering determination, and a sharp wit, he’s captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Learn how this former inmate turned his life around, one gripping page at a time. 

 

Forget the typical author bio. GC Brown’s life is a page-turner in itself. This bestselling author wasn’t always crafting captivating narratives. In fact, his journey began in a place most wouldn’t associate with creativity – federal prison. 

Bored to the bone and yearning for escape, GC stumbled upon writing as a way to break the monotony. Little did he know, his forced foray into storytelling would unlock a hidden talent and a new lease on life. 

GC’s writing is as bold and unconventional as his past. He draws on his unique experiences, weaving characters with “pizazz” and stories that resonate with raw authenticity. His upcoming thriller, “Sniff,” promises to be a gripping exploration of the criminal underworld, led by a morally ambiguous protagonist you can’t help but root for. 

GC Brown is more than just an author – he’s an epitome to the power of second chances. His story is a reminder that even the most unexpected journeys can lead to incredible destinations. 

Ready to dive into GC’s world and discover what makes him a Top 5 Inspirational Author? Turn the page and let the adventure begin! 

1. GC Brown, can you tell us a little about your journey as an author? What drew you to writing?

I wouldn’t say drawn to writing; more like forced. I was in federal prison looking down a road I couldn’t see the end of. Overnight, I went from living what I thought was ‘the life’ to a cage. I went from thousand-dollar loafers to the guy standing next to me wearing the same commissary tennis shoes. My life became a monotony of soul-crushing boredom with no flavor. Day after day of the same fluorescent lights, the same shitty meals, the same shitty staff, the same shitty smell of defeat. 

The prison was shitty and boring. 

I was so done with it. 

I walked into my case manager’s office, his feet up on the desk, piles of unopened files everywhere, and the same smell of defeat, and asked what I could do to make all the shittyness go away. 

With mocking disdain, he said, “Write a book.” 

Brilliant! Because that’s exactly what I did in my former life of wheelin’ and dealin’. 

I walked out of his office, and right into an illegal poker game being hidden from the CO’s—correctional officers—in the back of the showers. I played poker for a few months. Short story: I won; two gang members tried to stiff me; I caught them by themselves the next day.  

We all ended up in the Special Housing Unit—the hole. 

If you thought General Population was mind-numbing… 

I ended up doing 15 months in the box. During those months I was in the middle of my appeals. There were legal calls with my attorney. On one of those calls, he asked me what I did all day in the hole. “Read. All I do is read.”  

He said, “You should write a book.” 

Yeah, because I hadn’t heard that one before. 

Low and behold, the USA Today newspaper makes it to my cell. Front page: Top 10 Hardest Things to Do. Near the top of the list, you guessed it: ‘writing a novel.’ 

They say things come in 3’s. 

The universe—God, to me—was telling me to pick up a pen. 

Today, here I am with you—a bestselling author, or well, at least that’s the plan. 

2. Looking at your bibliography, your books consistently garner praise for their captivating storytelling and relatable characters. How do you achieve this level of reader connection in your writing?

Well, first and foremost it pleases me to no end to hear readers think my books are cool. There is no greater compliment to an author. Well, except maybe if you’re lucky enough to have met the woman of your dreams from federal prison through email, only to have her fall in love with you over your written words, and then agree to marry you…sight unseen.  

Yeah, I’ve checked off a few lists. 

Anyway, I’ve said this before: on this planet, there may not be a better place than a federal prison from which to learn to write. It’s like a never-ending parade of Drug lords with pizazz, corner boys with gusto, gangsters with bad grammar, pimps without the cane, billionaires still rubbin’ your nose in it, politicians with no comment, and LGBTQ minus the “L’s.”  

Characters in spades.  

I wrote who I saw; who I lived with. Most of the time, it was a high school soap opera sprinkled with violence. Like, who couldn’t write there? I found relatable characters and put them into memorable scenes. 

I found characters who readers could rally behind. 

3. What, in your experience, are the key ingredients for crafting a “must-read” book that resonates with a broad audience?

This is one of those questions I could answer and make myself sound smart. Answers like, “The key ingredients you need are ‘authentic voice, vivid locales, universal themes, and emotional resonance, blah, blah, blah.” Name them off just like that. 

I’m not that smart though.  

Let’s face it, I’m new to this whole writing world…that picked me.  

I’d never thought about writing anything, especially something that required ‘ingredients’.  

When I picked up that pen, immediately it felt like a big deal. A big deal, like there could be money involved. Back then, that’s the way my mind worked. What’s the payday? Not the deal, the payday. 

I quickly ran the numbers. 

They made sense. 

So, I wrote my first book, solely from ego. At that point in my life, it was my key ingredient, along with sarcastic and witty. And it just so happens I was living amongst all kinds of other egos as big as mine. Their lives and stories and daily grinds became my new life.  

I was staring at the rest of the key ingredients.  

I turned them into my first book, The Wake of the Storm. 

The book would go on to win first place for The Benjamin Franklin Award. 

That’s a whole ‘nother story. 

4. Beyond the plot, do you weave any personal experiences or lessons learned into your stories? If so, how does that shape the narrative?

Let me start off answering this question giving you a glimpse into the old me. I began my adult working career at 7 years old. This is what it’s like growing up on a small farm in the middle of Nowhere, Indiana. It’s up before dawn and to bed after dark. There are chickens that need their necks rung, giant piles of number 2 that need shoveling, fields that need plowing, and gardens to be tended. 

Fast forward to my twenties: I bought and sold mobile homes (because who doesn’t love a good trailer?); which led to flipping houses (before it was in vogue); developing real estate (for the sake of humanity); running nightclubs (where the real magic happens); coding software (because who needs experience?); selling flowers online (the ultimate hustle); serving sushi (raw fish and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand); and, the pièce de résistance—the African diamond trade (because nothing screams “legit business” like blood diamonds). 

So, the answer in short is yes, there are plenty of personal experiences weaved in and out of my stories. And don’t even get me started on lessons learned. I received a 20-year sentence “up the road” for some of my imbecile moves. My experiences and lessons are all over the narrative.  

5. Many authors talk about their writing routines. Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into a creative flow?

For me, it’s all about routine.  

In prison, there is zero quiet time between 6 am and 10 pm. I mean zero. It’s 200-300 hundred men per unit. There’s yelling and screaming. There are prison-made speakers. Dudes are rapping, singing, and slamming dominoes. There’s a spades game, a group of gang members doing burpees in the corner, and the cops are always looking for someone. It’s chaos. Because of it, I got in the habit of writing after lights out. I developed a routine. I quickly read through what I had written the day before, jumped in a hot shower, and concentrated on the scene until I could see it. When I had a clear picture in my head, I toweled off, threw on shorts, a t-shirt, and curled up in my rack.  

A dull pencil and typing paper most of the time. 

Depending on the creative flow, I either continued the scene or started a new one.  

Even today, with all the fancy stuff to write with, I lay on my chaise and scribble out half a dozen pages or so, until I feel like I’ve created a flow, where my reader forgets he’s reading a book. 

6. Your upcoming book, “Sniff,” seems intriguing. Can you share a brief glimpse into the central theme or concept without giving away any spoilers?

Of course. I love talking about my book(s). SNIFF is a riveting crime thriller that plunges readers into the gritty underworld of high-stakes, international intrigue, and relentless pursuit. The protagonist, Bank Robbin’ Dave, is a former high-flying financier turned desperate criminal. Dave is a complex character whose moral ambiguity and raw determination make him both compelling and relatable. 

Starts with a gripping prologue set in South Florida and carefully runs the reader through chapters of various international locales. The plot twists and turns through a maze, revealing more and more of Dave’s tumultuous life and the web of corruption and desperation he navigates.

The narrative is rip-roaring and paced masterfully to keep you on your toes. It’s unapologetically bold, blending dark humor with stark realism. The dialogue is sharp, the action sequences are vivid.

“SNIFF” stands out not just for its thrilling plot but also for its deep dive into the psyche of a man on the edge. It’s a tale of survival, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to for love and redemption.  

7. The title, “Sniff,” is quite evocative. Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind the name and how it reflects the core of the book?

I could tell you a fib right here: that the title, SNIFF, came from some magical place in my head; or that I laid in my prison rack, locked down during COVID, trying to come up with some uber-cool, short, snappy name that would look as cool as it does, on a cover, and then in Hollywood; or that I wanted a title that evoked some sensory connection.  

However, I didn’t come up with the title.  

One of these many different characters I ran across in the BOP, said it first.  

I remember immediately thinking, “Man that’s a cool name for a book.”  

And here we are.

I do have to be honest here though, “I actually did picture it right then in Hollywood in the Hollywood lights.” 

Psst…My Publisher and PR company have been in Hollywood for 50+ years. I’m halfway there. Now all I need is to sell enough books to get to the top of Best Seller lists.

8. As a writer, you have the power to transport readers to different worlds. If you could magically enter the world of any book (besides your own!), which one would you choose and why?

Hands down, it would be anything Wilbur Smith ever wrote. He helped me through my time in prison. There are these adventures all over Africa, at all different Eras of time. It’s villages and natives, lions and elephants. It’s riding on horseback, living in tents, sailing oceans, and love stories.

I would fall into Wilbur Smiths’ pages and not come back until the cops yelled, “Chow!” 

9. As a successful author with a dedicated following, what advice would you give aspiring writers who are just starting out?

Well, it’s a bit premature to measure my success. Let’s get to the end of this thing, in another 30, 40 years, then look back. I’ll let others make the call.  

I do know that it’s going to take a lot to get there. All the grit and tenacity I can find. And that’s exactly what I will tell everyone, aspiring to be anything. “It’s that old farmers’ creedo: “First one up, last one to go to sleep and work like there’s no tomorrow.”

One day you’ll look back and your mind will be blown.

I’m living it right now.

10. Looking ahead, what are your writing goals or aspirations for the future? Are there any specific themes or genres you’d like to explore in your next book?

Well, I have so many writing goals that I will probably take a few of them with me. I spent years mapping my life out, staring at the bunk above me. Believe me, I have a plan and I’m already executing it. I have goals in place all the way to the end. I started writing late in my career and there is a lifetime of milestones that I have to go back and get.  

As for themes and genres for tomorrow’s books, all I can tell you is that I refuse to be ordinary. My writing is all over the board right now. I want to write anything and everything. I’m not going to pigeonhole myself to any one genre. I’m going to give my readers different themes, different plots, and different places.

Every book.

I don’t know what I’m going to write tomorrow until I read what I wrote yesterday, right before I jump in the shower.

via IMPAAKT

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Kevin Flanagan of District Magazine talks to Ken About the Art of Storytelling!

Kevin Flanagan talks to Hollywood producer and author Kenneth John Atchity, about the importance of story and why the Irish are good at telling them.

Kevin met Ken Atchity at the international writer’s symposium held in Dublin. There he was able to get the producer’s views on the magic of story from the man who is known internationally as a “Story Merchant.”

I love Hollywood.

In 2003 I spent a month in Los Angeles attempting to sell my script to a Hollywood agent. It was memorable queuing at the local Kinko’s store where they had a photocopying machine that only copied film scripts and the queue was long! People are friendly, once they heard I was from Ireland our individual projects were discussed and phone numbers were swapped. As they say, you have to be friendly in Tinseltown because you never know who you will need on the way up (and down).

The other thing I loved was sitting in my favourite coffee shop Urth Caffé on Melrose Avenue watching drop-dead gorgeous waitresses serve us coffee. They all looked, to my naive eye, like film stars. My cynical Irish friend burst my bubble. He had been working in Hollywood for years and said, between sips of his soya latte, ‘beautiful people are two-a-penny here!’.

As I continued to sit with my mouth wide-open my friend nudged me. A famed Hollywood producer had arrived outside the patio in an open-topped Bentley. Heads swivelled as he took a table, surrounded by a group of acolytes dancing attendance. Certainly the waitress perked up.

Everyone in Hollywood, I soon discovered, was climbing the greasy pole. Actresses, writers, directors, but at the top, wielding the real power, was the fabled Hollywood producer who can make (and break) anyone. You could smell their power and sense their arrogance.

My impression of Hollywood producers had not changed over the years till I meet Ken Atchity in Dublin this June past. Atchity has produced over 30 Hollywood movies and is known in the book world as the ‘Story Merchant’ because he also sells stories to publishers–and publishes them through Story Merchant Books. Soft spoken, educated, he is not at all like the usual hustler I saw on a daily basis in Hollywood. Ken Atchity is above all a reflective man who has built his life around the concept of “story.” He has been an academic, a writer, before he became a movie producer. He loves “story” and wants to share that love.

He certainly did that in Dublin when he spoke this summer to a group of writers, and what he said has stayed with me and helped inform my own work. According to Atchity, whatever the genre – movie, TV series, book or computer game – its core chances of success all come down to story. But story is not confined to the creative arts.

“Look at Brexit,” Atchity says as we sip a drink after his lecture in the bar of the famed Gresham Hotel, “the day after the referendum a lot of British people wanted to have another vote as they were led to believe Brexit was a story about the immigration crisis. But it was also about 200 other things as well: the value of pound and the stock market. But the story was moulded around immigration and national identity and people bought into it.”

Ken lowers his glass and smiles, “Lying is an old Catholic word for what we all do all day – another form of storytelling. If your wife walks down the steps after a long night out and asks “how am I looking?” do you tell the truth or a story to get by and not stir up a row?” He takes another sip. “Everybody is telling a story!”

Storytelling goes back to the dawn of man, Atchity insists, and Homer was the greatest storyteller of them all, probably as product of the oral tradition of storytelling having to be committed to memory. It becomes deeply ingrained.

“Stories are there to warn us what happens when people bring disaster on themselves and their people. To this day story still acts as an exhortation and a warning as what happens when someone brings destruction on all around him. Great stories are changing the world by changing the perception of people.”

Atchity believes storytelling impacts profoundly on both young and old.

“You hear parents saying disparaging remarks about groups of people – say Poles or black people – and you wake up one day as an adult and you believe fully in them.”

But despite this pessimistic view Atchity thinks things in the world are actually improving.

“Fewer people are dying in wars. People are giving up smoking. Communication is helping us. As the saying goes, living well is the best revenge and we are slowly learning to leave things behind. Optimism is the more logical of two options. I love the story of the optimist who was pushed off Empire State Building and half way down says, “Well, so far, so good!”’

Atchity has always believed in the power of “story” and I ask him why that is.

“I think it all goes back to my childhood growing up on front porches in my Cajun Louisiana (maternal) family. My uncles and cousins were storytellers – some accomplished, some not so good. I loved the feeling of community that happened when they began swapping stories and jokes. And though I studied analysis and logic in Jesuit classrooms my heart was with the storytellers. As an Italian friend of mine said one day, trying to explain his new wife’s erratic behavior, “Let me tell you a story instead–isn’t life, after all, just a story?” It’s the power of stories that change the world more than anything else.”

Among a vast oeuvre Atchity has produced his share of horror movies, including Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes. But horror is a genre in decline. Does Atchity have his views on why this is?

“Aristotle’s theory was about how audience needs catharsis. They see horror on stage, walk out of the theatre and give a sigh of relief that the “horror” does not affect their lives. But in today’s world all that has changed. Daily we hear and see horrific things – decapitations and mass murder at every turn. Horror is no longer escapism. Audiences now need to escape their daily dose of real live horror by going to the movie house. There they can watch heroes in blockbusters win and the bad guys lose.”

Despite the decline Atchity still continues to produce movies in the horror genre, “At the moment we are working on a very low budget horror spoof – Friday 31st – and that maybe is the way to go.” // We discuss our best loved horror movies. One of Atchity’s favorites was filmed on the campus he was attending at Georgetown University in Washington.

“Scenes from The Exorcist were shot at my alma mater. I remember reading the book in the early 70’s and being scared to death. Having been raised a Roman Catholic I believed it was all real! From a pure horror point of view it’s my favorite.”

The Exorcist was released in 1973 but not shown in Ireland till 1998. How things have changed! Now, according to Atchity, “horror movies are relegated to low-budget productions with an occasional excursion into brilliance. The market isn’t as robust as the general market is. It’s a selective audience, that doesn’t appear to be growing—because of the advent of alternate media such as online games, web series. Cheap ones are made because the loyal horror audience will see it and is enough by itself to make them profitable even if they don’t cross over to the larger audience.”

We move on to discussing another core shift in storytelling – the move from movies to TV mega stories, Game of Thrones being the prime example. Are these TV series successful because they allow “story” to be told in greater depth?

“A series or miniseries allows the storyteller to develop the characters more fully than the restricted time allowed for a film. The best writers and directors today are in television as well as film.”

Ken has enjoyed walking in the footsteps of Leopold Bloom while in Dublin, and I ask him for any words of wisdom for modern Irish writers.

“Tell a story with universal impact – something we all care about – and make sure it has three well-defined acts and each act is powerfully dramatic. It’s also important to make sure the main character is someone we can all relate to, even if he’s not likeable. Do all that and get someone in Hollywood to give you feedback on it.”

Irish writers get on the case – you know the right person in Hollywood to send it to!

Read more at District Magazine