An Interview with Mary Cook Geivett
I have a master’s degree in professional writing and three bachelor’s degrees in psychology, counseling, and coaching from Liberty University.
My office is the passenger seat of a semi-truck. I travel with my husband coast to coast, delivering medical supplies. The travel offers excellent opportunities to see the sights and discover the country we love. Those who have read my blog posts know I love to write about travel and faith in God.
I am the mother of five grown children (including stepchildren) and a grandmother to a whole bunch of little ones! I live with my husband in the mountains of Arizona. I am a foodie and a coffee junkie. My favorite pastimes are reading, napping, and off-roading in my Polaris RZR XP 1000 or Jeep Rubicon.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
My desire to write grew from a lifelong love of stories—both reading them and imagining them. Influences range from classic science fiction and fantasy authors to contemporary writers who blend genres and push boundaries. Authors like Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, and T. Kingfisher have especially inspired me, not only for their intricate world-building but for the way they explore identity, society, and what it means to be human. Art forms like film and visual art have also played a role; I often see my stories unfold cinematically before I ever write them down.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Before focusing on writing, I built a varied career across several fields. I’ve worked as a freelance writer and blogger, but I also have extensive experience in communications, sales, administrative support, and leadership roles. My background includes serving as an administrator for a construction business, working in real estate sales, chairing a township planning commission, and operating a private daycare. I’ve also worked as an independent contractor for several moving companies and as an applied behavior analysis therapist supporting individuals and families.
One thing readers might not know about me is that I have a deep passion for behavioral health and counseling, with formal education and experience in crisis intervention and therapy. I’m skilled in everything from case management to group counseling, and love bringing that understanding of people into my writing. Outside of my professional life, I’m always eager to learn new things—whether that’s mastering SEO for blogging, tinkering with website analytics, or finding inspiration in everyday interactions.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title Duplisədə came after a lot of searching and reflection. I wanted a word that captured the dualities and duplicities at play in the novel—the sense of being divided, mirrored, or not quite what you seem. It took several iterations, and I experimented with different invented words and spellings before settling on Duplisədə. Once I landed on it, it felt right: unique, evocative, and meaningful to the story.
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
Holding the first proof copy in my hands was the moment it all felt real. Seeing my name on the cover and turning the pages I had labored over for so long made the journey tangible. It was both exhilarating and humbling—proof that my imagined world had become something others could enter and experience.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
I hope readers walk away intrigued by the characters caught between worlds or identities. I want the story to linger as a reminder that strength and hope can grow from our fractures, and that every person has the power to shape their own story.
If my book had a soundtrack, it would blend atmospheric, emotionally charged songs that mirror the story’s tension, transformation, and introspection. I’d definitely include selections that sound similar to the Bourne Identity series soundtrack—there’s something about its blend of urgency, suspense, and subtle melancholy that captures the feel of my book perfectly. To round it out, I’d weave in some techno rock tracks—those driving beats and energetic rhythms would underline the story’s action, intensity, and edge, creating a moody, immersive backdrop for the story’s twists, inner struggles, and moments of hope.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I hope readers walk away intrigued by the characters caught between worlds or identities. I want the story to linger as a reminder that strength and hope can grow from our fractures, and that every person has the power to shape their own story.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
The most rewarding part was hearing from readers who found pieces of themselves reflected in my characters and world. Knowing that my story resonated with others, offered comfort, or sparked new ideas made all the effort worthwhile. One high compliment I received (that I was thrilled with) was from a friend who said it was a cross between John Wick and Francine Rivers!
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on the next instalment in the Chronicles series, further exploring the world and characters introduced in Duplisədə. I have also published a collection of short children’s stories.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
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