Mill City Provides Vivid Backdrop for New Novel, Fat Profits

A couple months ago I learned about Bruce Bradley from one of our Vendor friends at the Mill City Farmers Market. This former processed food marketer turned organic food advocate has recently published his first novel, Fat Profits. It's a thriller set in the Twin Cities with scenes in ... you guessed it, Mill City! So how could we resist talking to him?

Bruce has a book signing scheduled for the January 12 Mill City Farmers Market. In the mean time, you can learn more about his book (and read a FREE chapter!) via the FAT PROFITS website.

Here's a little Q&A we did to provide background on Bruce and how his book came to be:

Q: Congratulations on your first novel, Fat Profits. What got you interested in writing?

A: I distinctly remember the moment I wanted to become a writer. I heard a high school classmate of mine read a short story she had written. Her story was amazing, and I thought to myself, "I'd like to do that."

Of course, life has a way of taking you in different directions. Responsibilities start piling up at your doorstep, so that dream was put on hold. But years later I found myself living in the Twin Cities, and I heard about The Loft. I took several courses, and over time I studied and practiced how to write.

In the Fall of 2009 the Loft offered a Thrillers & Mysteries weekend workshop. Vince Flynn was the keynote speaker. I already had a very rough draft of my manuscript. I knew my book wasn't ready, but everything Mr. Flynn said confirmed I was on the right path.

Determined to make this dream finally happen, I rearranged my work schedule to give myself more time to dedicate to writing. Fast forward three years later, Fat Profits is finally published!

Q: Why did you choose to write a thriller?

A:  I've always enjoyed the suspense genre. It's what I usually read for pleasure because thrillers are fast-paced and provide a great escape, transporting you to a different place and time. And if a thriller is especially well written, they sometime increase awareness about important issues. Those are my absolute favorite thrillers—all the entertainment, excitement, twists, and turns with a little something extra for good measure.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your novel?

A: Fat Profits is all about corporate greed and corruption.  It's a timeless topic that I decided to take to an industry I'm quite familiar with—food.

Leveraging my 15+ years of food marketing experience, Fat Profits is about a corrupt food company that will stop at nothing to become a Wall Street darling. With increasing concerns over food safety and potentially toxic ingredients in our food, Fat Profits is a timely thriller that will not only entertain but also educate people about what drives big food corporations—profits. And what better place to set it than Minneapolis—a city steeped in a long agricultural history and the home of several huge food companies.

Q: Several local book reviewers have commented on your use of the historic Mill District area for the final, climatic scene in Fat Profits.  I know we love our neighborhood, but why did you choose it?

This is where it all began—the Twin Cities were born right here on the shores of the Mississippi. Not only are the historic, cultural, and economic roots of the city here, but it's also an amazingly beautiful spot. From Mill Ruins Park, St. Anthony Falls, and the Guthrie, there are also tons of interesting places for intrigue and drama—exactly what an author needs as a backdrop!

But almost more importantly is this area's powerful, redemptive story that's a perfect metaphor for my novel. Corporate greed and corruption nearly destroyed this place. Unchecked, companies were more than happy to literally suck its resources dry, then abandon it—leaving others to clean up their mess. While we must never forget this lesson, the magical part of the story is what happened next. Dedicated people made the difference. Unwilling to write off the ruins, they doggedly perservered—proving that when our human spirit is given the slightest opportunity and nurturing, it can and will prevail.

Q: Wonderful! Do you have any plans for some local appearances?

A: Yes! I haven't done many local events, but when I heard about the Winter Market at Mill City Farmers Market I jumped at the chance. So come out and join me on January 12th from 10 AM - 1 PM. I'll be signing and selling books!

Bruce also blogs about the tricks, traps, and tools big food companies use to get us eating more and more processed food at his website, www.brucebradley.com.