Meet the Team: Tiffany Trithardt
By Tiffany Trithardt

In this Meet the Team series, we’ll introduce you to the people behind the company. For our first installment, we sat down with Publishing Consultant Tiffany Trithardt to find out what makes her tick.

An Interview with Tiffany

WAP: What’s your favourite thing about your job?
TT: My favourite thing about my job is having the great privilege of working with authors to make their dreams become reality. For most, writing and publishing a book is a dream they have had for a while. Being able to work with someone on such a special and significant project is truly an honour!

WAP: How has working for a publishing company changed how you view books?
TT: I realize the amount of work that goes into the book. Not only the publishing process but the before and after. I now realize how much time is spent just coming up with the idea for a book, never mind the process of writing it. Then, for that book to actually be in my hands is also remarkable. I know that it is not easy to take an idea and turn it into a book and then to make it a book that people will actually pick up and buy. I really appreciate all the work that goes into each and every book I invest in, something I never really paid any attention to before.

WAP: What is your all-time favourite book?
TT: I am not sure I can put my finger on just one all time favourite as I like so many different kinds of books. I think that my current favourite book is Blue Like Jazz. I love the down-to-earth take on spirituality. I appreciate the writing style and perspective of Donald Miller.

WAP: What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?
TT: Don’t think too far ahead and take it one step at a time. Once the writing is done then start to strategize and think about the publishing side of things. I’ve seen too many writers worry about publishing before they are done writing and this may take away from the quality of what you are writing.

Secondly, once the book is published the hard work is not over, it is really just beginning. Do not underestimate the time and energy that you will need to put in to see your book be successful. It’s like a business; you need to help market yourself. Don’t just sit back and expect things to just fall into your lap, go out there and make it happen, because you certainly can!

WAP: You recently became a new mom, how has that changed your perspective on life?
TT: I have received the greatest promotion one could ever pursue. My child needs me and God has given me everything I need to care for her. I find myself enjoying and noticing the little things like the smile she gives me when I walk in the room, or how my husband cares for her with such tenderness and compassion.

I also realize more of what Jesus meant when he said we should be like little children. I see that she has an unwavering trust in me. She doesn’t even question if I will be there when she needs me, she assumes it. She has so much joy and energy and yet I’ve never seen such contentment as when she sleeps. I think this is what it means to set worry aside and trust in him.

WAP: If you were on an island and could only bring one thing, what would you bring?
TT: I’d bring my camera. I love to take pictures and capture life through images. They tell a story and I like to find unique ways of telling it through angles and views another person might not realize existed. It would be like my little visual journal!

WAP: What is your favourite holiday?
TT: Thanksgiving. I love fall, the crisp air, the colourful leaves in the bright sun and the smell of turkey in the oven. I love celebrating with family and recognizing the things I have to be thankful for. There are so many!

WAP: Describe your personal style.
TT: I love clothes. Slouchy oversized knits, ripped jeans, stylish leather boots, layers, lace, messy bun in my hair. That’s my go-to weekend attire. I’m not sure what I would call this but I get lots of inspiration from Pinterest! Clothing aside, I am au-natural. Whether that means simple foods with real ingredients, home remedies or hardly any makeup this is who I am and I’m proud of it!

WAP: We love stories, tell us one of your favourite from your childhood.
TT: This story is one of perseverance two ways. I am 12 years old and my little brother is 3. We are sitting as a family around the dinner table. When vegetables were served, my little brother wanted nothing to do with the little green peas on his plate. My mom told him he had to eat three more peas. You would think she had asked him to eat 3 truck-fulls of peas the way he was acting. He was going to do whatever it took not to eat the peas and I was going to do everything I could to make him eat the peas.

It wasn’t that I cared so much whether he benefited from the nutrition in green peas, or that I wanted him to be obedient, but more that I wanted to prove I was the more determined one. Yes, I wanted to be more determined than my 3 year old little brother. I don’t think I really knew what I was in for.

Three whole hours went by of me and my little brother battling it out. It wasn’t so much a physical battle but more like a chess game. We moved around the house like little pawns using our persuasive words to try and convince the other. This was the day I learned that age does not determine strength of will because I never did get him to eat these three peas. I think we both have a lot of determination but it was clear that night that he had more.

WAP: Tell us something about yourself that people find surprising.
TT: People are always surprised to know how many years I have been married. I guess by today’s standards I got married fairly young, although I know that years ago people got married even younger. I was 21 when I got married and have been married just about 8 years. Maybe I look younger than I am but this always surprises people I don’t know very well!

About this Contributor:

Tiffany is passionate about life. As a wife and a new mom she loves to read, exercise and photograph the people and places around her. She thrives in her role as Publishing Consultant and loves helping authors turn their ideas and dreams into a published book.