Today, we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Qaiyyim.
Hi Patricia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I currently reside right outside San Antonio; I am married and my husband and I have three children and two grandchildren. I was born in Indiana but lived throughout the Midwest while growing up. As a child, I enjoyed reading and writing and often used both as a way to escape and a way to express myself.
After high school and two years of college, I followed my dream and joined the United States Air Force. As a young adult serving in the Armed Forces, I continued to write primarily for my own eyes. Still, I had articles published in the base-level paper a couple of times. Occasionally, I would write stories and poems revolving around my fellow Airmen.
After twenty-three years on active duty, I spent several years working as a contractor. In 2020, during the pandemic, I decided to follow another dream and professionally pursue writing. That was the beginning of my new career as a writer, starting with a few writing courses and seminars.
Since 2020, I have published two books, Moms In the Military Raising A Child While Serving In The Armed Forces and Shrouded In Words A Collection of Poetry. Currently, I am working on several projects, including contributing to a book, with the proceeds supporting a local non-profit organization right here in San Antonio, the Robyn’s N.E.S.T. I am also working on a companion piece to my first book; it will be a compilation of insights into children raised by “moms in the military” who live or lived their young lives as military brats. Finally, I am working on another collection of poetry.
In addition to writing, I am looking for opportunities to branch out into public speaking. After my first book, I had the chance to speak at an event. I felt such a connection with the audience that I have been waiting for the right opportunity to spread my “speaking wings” in the San Antonio area ever since.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to becoming a published author had its challenges. The first hurdle was the decision to write professionally, which was filled with hesitation. My self-doubt and fear were probably the first hurdles I had to overcome. While I have a lot to say and enjoy writing, I wondered if readers would enjoy or relate to my writing.
The second hurdle was moving from someone who writes for enjoyment to one who writes professionally. This hurdle was easier to overcome with the help and guidance of my mentor. Already a published author, he was familiar with the ins and outs of the literary world.
He helped me find the courses that would benefit me as a writer; he connected me with experts in the industry who helped me take my book to the next level, including connecting me with his publisher, who was a wealth of knowledge. I had to learn everything from self-editing to the importance of beta readers, selecting the right editors, and finding graphic designers. These connections are invaluable and have helped me immensely.
The final hurdle came after finishing my manuscript. Writing a manuscript is only the first step. Once finished, to move from a completed manuscript to a published book, I had to work with the resources and connections to which I had access. It may sound easy, but for my first book, it was a lot to take in and work through. Part of that was the decision to become a self-published or indie author.
Making the decision to go the route of an indie author came with its hurdles. As an indie author, I carry the sole weight for my books. Everything from paying for the services needed to take my work from manuscript to book to marketing myself, my brand, and my books. I am responsible for getting my book out to as many readers as possible. And, while it is a lot of work, it has also been a lot of fun. I enjoy book signings, book festivals, and other events that allow me to showcase my books.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I decided to start my career as a writer by writing about what I knew, and the result was my first book, Moms in the Military Raising a Child While Serving in the Armed Forces. This compilation of the insights and perspectives of more than twenty ‘moms in the military’ includes active-duty, reserve, and spouses in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. In the book, we address the decision to join or remain in the Armed Forces as a mother, raising a child without the familial support of the extended family, the impact of separation due to military obligations, and more.
What sets me apart from other writers so far has been my decision to write about women who tackle the responsibility of motherhood and the obligations of service—a choice that only became an option in the mid-1970s. There are plenty of books about women in the service, which may include motherhood, but my book is about women in the Armed Forces and motherhood and the capability of service and motherhood.
My second book, Shrouded in Words: A Collection of Poetry covers various topics, including family, love, parenthood, faith, self-reflection, and Haiku. The book is titled based on my opinion that we shroud or hide ourselves behind words, hiding from ourselves and those around us. Words like, “I’m okay,” “I’m not upset,” and “No, nothing’s wrong.” In this collection, I decided to remove my shrouds and share my thoughts, views, and wishes for myself, my family, and my community.
When I think about what I am proud of, I would definitely say that it was having the courage to start a new career after the age of fifty. When many people my age were thinking about the end of their careers, I was thinking about how to make the transition from veteran to writer and how to rebrand myself.
I am excited about this new journey and what’s to come. Up to this point, I have only written nonfiction and poetry. I plan to stick with these genres for a little longer, but I definitely want to try my hand at fiction. I am thinking about a historical fiction based loosely on my own family.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory? I have many good memories, but one of my favorites is my oldest sister’s wedding. I come from a large family; I have eleven siblings, and when I was about eight or nine, my sister let all of us be a part of the wedding.
It was my first wedding, and being a part of it was so special for me. I don’t think I ever told her, but it was a really good memory, and I was so happy to feel grown-up and a part of it. It was shortly before my parents’ divorce, and it was just a good memory of our family having a good time.
Pricing:
- My books range from $12.99 to $16.99 and are available on Amazon and other online bookstores. They are also available at the Twig Book Shop, located in the Pear.
Contact Info:
- Website: patriciaqaiyyim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriciaqaiyyim/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaQaiyyimAuthor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-qaiyyim-veteran-author/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pqaiyyim
Image Credits
Jamal Qaiyyim and Alexis Qaiyyim
