In the quiet subdivisions near Washington Woods, Holt resident Mickey Hadick has been crafting thrilling novels in between his pickleball matches and bike rides on the Ram Trail. After four decades of balancing technical writing with creative pursuits, he’s finally embracing his calling as an author.
“It was a fool’s folly,” he reflects on his early career choice. “I started in engineering and let myself get talked out of pursuing creative writing. That began a 40-year journey of self-study, though sometimes I regret not starting sooner.”
His journey to Holt began in 1993, when he and his wife were searching for good schools for their children. Moving from Detroit, with previous stops in Philadelphia and Ohio, they found Holt offered the perfect middle ground between his wife’s Wisconsin roots and his Michigan background.
Since moving to Holt, Hadick says they have found more than just a writing community. “We’ve enjoyed the experience and had great neighbors,” he says. He says he’s not just fallen in love with Holt, but the Lansing community in general. “It’s the right size, you can find everything you could possibly want, and there’s lots of quirky neighborhoods.”
Hadick’s admiration for Michigan has also translated to his stories, as his latest novel weaves a complex family drama around crime, set in the familiar landscapes of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Belleville. The story follows an 18-year-old girl who commits a crime to teach her father a lesson after her mother’s death – and everything blows up in her face.” Hadick says there’s always a story to write about if crime is involved, because crime often results in drama.
Hadick is self-published and currently has eight books he’s written, although he says it’s tough to get a publisher’s attention, especially without the assistance of an agent. “While finding an agent would be ideal, I’ve spent the last decade honing all aspects of the craft,” says Hadick, whose day job is as a technical writer. “From writing to layout, editing, proofing, cover design, and marketing, my technical background actually makes me enjoy handling these elements myself.”
He says he’s read more than 50 writing books and has taken numerous writing workshops. “That’s my avenue to mentors and better training,” says Hadick.
Outside of his writing, Hadick says his favorite local spots in Holt are Buddy’s, especially for post-pickleball refreshments, Los Tres Amigos, and the Coffee Barrel, where he regularly buys his beans.
Find Mickey Hadick’s books and more at his website www.mickeyhadick.com/my-books/