The Book Connection...: Interview with Darin Gibby, Author of Chasing Hindy

In addition to a thriving career as a novelist, author Darin Gibby is also one of the country’s premiere patent attorneys and a partner at the prestigious firm of Kilpatrick Townsend (www.kilpatricktownsend.com). With over twenty years of experience in obtaining patents on hundreds of inventions from the latest drug delivery systems to life-saving cardiac equipment, he has built IP portfolios for numerous Fortune 500 companies. In addition to securing patents, Gibby helps clients enforce and license their patents around the world, and he has monetized patents on a range of products.

Darin’s first book, Why Has America Stopped Inventing?, explored the critical issue of America’s broken patent system. His second book, The Vintage Club, tells the story of a group of the world’s wealthiest men who are chasing a legend about a wine that can make you live forever. His third book, Gil, is about a high school coach who discovers that he can pitch with deadly speed and is given an offer to play with the Rockies during a player’s strike. Gil soon discovers, however, that his unexpected gift is the result of a rare disease, and continuing to pitch may hasten his own death.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, he is highly regarded in Denver’s legal and business community as a patent strategist, business manager, and community leader. He is also a sought-after speaker on IP issues at businesses, colleges and technology forums, where he demonstrates the value of patents using simple lessons from working on products such as Crocs shoes, Izzo golf straps and Trek bicycles.

An avid traveler and accomplished triathlete, Darin also enjoys back country fly-fishing trips and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. He lives in Denver with his wife, Robin, and their four children.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My day job is actually being a patent attorney. I am a partner with the firm of Kilpatrick Townsend. I help inventors get patents on things like drug delivery systems and life-saving cardiac equipment. I also help clients enforce and license their patents around the world.

In addition to Chasing Hindy, I’ve written three other books: Why Has America Stopped Inventing? (that explored the critical issue of America’s broken patent system), The Vintage Club (that tells the story of a group of the world’s wealthiest men who are chasing a legend about a wine that can make you live forever) and Gil (that is about a high school coach who discovers that he can pitch with deadly speed and is given an offer to play with the Rockies during a player’s strike. Gil soon discovers, however, that his unexpected gift is the result of a rare disease, and continuing to pitch may hasten his own death).

I also travel quite a bit, run triathlons and enjoy back country fly-fishing trips and skiing in the Rocky Mountains.

When did you begin writing?

I started writing about 12 years ago. I wrote several “practice books” before Why Has America Stopped Inventing? was published.

What is this book about?

Chasing Hindy is about a patent attorney who thinks she's landed her dream job with a company who has invented a technology to let cars run on water only to discover that there are other interests who are poised to make sure it never comes to market.

What inspired you to write it?

The genesis behind Chasing Hindy came from a surprising source—a hypnotist. When I was in high school, we had an assembly where a hypnotist put a group of volunteers under hypnosis. One of the questions he asked them was what would be the fuel of the future. What fuel would people pump into their tank? Almost without exception they all said, “water!” The hypnotist then told the audience that every time he asked that question he received the same answer.

That was several decades ago, but I’ve always wondered whether that could possibly be true—and why all these people thought we’d all be driving cars that used water. In the following years, I realized that a car wouldn’t run on water per se, but from hydrogen that is extracted from water. The question, of course, is that if we know how to produce hydrogen, why aren’t there hydrogen cars? The answer is quite simple. As an engineer and patent attorney I know the science behind extracting hydrogen from water. The problem is that it takes more energy to do this than to just run a car on gasoline, or even electricity.

But what if somebody invented a way to make it happen? That’s the germ of an idea that led to Chasing Hindy.

Who is your favorite author?

I think it would be John Grisham. He has inspired me the most. He came out with The Firm when I was a first year law student. One of my classmates had a copy and we all read it in the first week it came out. I’ve read all of his books since then. Unfortunately, his last few haven’t been so great, but in his day he certainly produced some great stories.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?

My agent recently retired, so for my next book I will be looking for a new one.

If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

I would have started writing when I was younger, and I definitely would have taken more creative writing classes in college.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Chasing Hindy is available at most on-line retailers. Here are some links for Amazon and B&N.

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Hindy-Invention-Darin-Gibby-ebook/dp/B06VXJ796N

Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Hindy-Invention-Darin-Gibby/dp/1633933660

B&N Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-hindy-darin-gibby/1125815721

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Learn how to write well. That was the hard lesson I had to learn. I even hired a coach to help me.

What is up next for you?

I am currently working on a piece of historical fiction based in the mid-18th century. I was just at the New Jersey Historical Society doing research. I’m going to tell about an important and fascinating part of American history that has somehow been overlooked.

Is there anything you would like to add?

As Stephen King is fond of saying, as long as you can wake up and write, life is going to be okay.