Meet George Weinstein | Author, Executive Director of the Atlanta Writers Club, and Director of the Atlanta Writers Conference

We had the good fortune of connecting with George Weinstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi George, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?

1. Persevering: Doing the work, even on days when you don’t feel like it. Creative work is a little like exercise–if you keep showing up and putting in the effort, you begin to reap the rewards and feel better about yourself.

2. Being unfailingly helpful and kind to others: The Golden Rule applies to the artistic world as well. When I began volunteering with the Atlanta Writers Club (AWC) more than 20 years ago, I could not have imagined how much that would change my life for the better. Now, my best friends and even my wife are people I met through the AWC–not to mention the innumerable book sales that have also resulted because of AWC members I’ve met–and there’s no way else I could’ve encountered them let alone shared my life with them. That all started by being welcoming, open, and as helpful as possible.

3. Being willing to take risks: from assuming leadership roles to public speaking, getting out of my comfort zone and doing things that at first I found stressful and uncomfortable continues to yield success and opportunities for me. The proverbial leap of faith should not be underestimated.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’m the author of eight novels that span numerous genres and include the following:

– Hardscrabble Road is the beloved Southern historical novel set in South Georgia that outsells all my other books combined and even after a decade is still being discovered and celebrated by book clubs and individual readers. Based on the true childhood stories of my former father-in-law, his two older brothers, and older sister, this is an inspirational novel about persevering in the face of long odds and getting through hard times–and overcoming hard people–with heart, hope, and even humor.
– Return to Hardscrabble Road is the recently published sequel and is also being embraced by readers who are fans of the first one.
– Aftermath is an amateur sleuth murder mystery set in rural Georgia that has a lot to say about small town life, who holds the power and how they wield it, and what one person can do to tear down an intricate web of secrets, scandals, and lies. It also has a lot to say about the art of writing!
–Watch What You Say is a kidnapping thriller but with the dude in distress and the damsel coming to his rescue instead of the usual hero with a “particular set of skills.” One thing the damsel does have is chromesthesia, where she sees shapes and colors for every sound she hears. In her case, she can interpret those colorful shapes so that when you’re talking to her, she can tell whether you’re lying and what you’re feeling. She can literally watch what you say. But she’ll need to draw on much more than that to rescue her husband.
– The Five Destinies of Carlos Moreno is more historical fiction but based on the forgotten US history of the so-called Great Repatriation, where over 2 million people of Mexican descent were deported to Mexico between 1928 and 1941, with half of those deported being American citizens. Carlos is a young man trying to escape that fate.

There are other novels, but these excite readers the most. I’ve been writing for more than 20 years and continue to learn more all the time about the craft and business of writing. Not a day of it has been easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. I’ve overcome myriad challenges, and continue to do so, by refusing to give up. Grit and stubbornness account for much of my success. My story–my brand, I believe–is being unfailingly kind, helpful, and caring about others’ success much more than my own. I have faith that I’ll succeed by persevering; what motivates me, though, is assisting others on their journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I’d take them to the Georgia Aquarium–the best venue of its kind anywhere–with dinner afterward at South City Kitchen on 14th Street in Atlanta for smoked pork chops, collard greens, and other soul-enriching food. Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia would also be on the itinerary. Meals before and after Gibbs would be at Thai House in Roswell for lunch and Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in Crabapple for dinner.

I’d arrange this visit to occur over Labor Day weekend so my friend could experience Atlanta’s answer to Mardi Gras: Dragon Con! We’d enjoy the throngs of sci-fi/fantasy fans in their cosplays and then dine at Aviva by Kameel Mediterranean Grill at Peachtree Center.

Downshifting, we’d spend days touring and shopping the town squares from Marietta to Newnan and wrap up their trip on Canton St. in Roswell at Bayou’Q Smokin Bistreaux & Bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

The Atlanta Writers Club (AtlantaWritersClub.org) has been my source of love, inspiration, friendships, and support for more than 20 years, and this historic organization (founded in 1914) has also offered me a limitless platform for helping other writers to learn about the craft and business of writing.

My wife, Kim Conrey, who joined my Atlanta Writers Club critique group and became a treasured friend long before we fell for each other, is a daily source of love and friendship and makes me a better person as well as a better writer and leader.

Website: https://www.georgeweinstein.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-weinstein-416b7311/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.weinstein.5