When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Report writing is a critical component of investigations and law enforcement. When I first started on my career path, I hated writing and always found it time consuming, especially when I wanted to be out in the world investigating. As I matured, I found joy in writing because of the story telling involved. This translated to sharing the stories of my investigations with judges, lawyers, and other law enforcement personnel. As I started down the path of becoming a whistleblower, I realized that my reports were actually stories that helped prove what I was exposing. During that time in my life, I finally felt that I was a writer and a storyteller beyond what I once looked at as a job requirement.

What inspired you to start writing?

The inspiration to write a book about my experiences actually started while sitting at home on paid leave while I was administratively suspended for being a whistleblower. On my first day at home, I began thinking about what I had witnessed and experienced. This inspired me to start writing while everything was still fresh in my mind. I took a break from writing the book after clearing my name, so writing my story took a break for a few years. As certain California politicians began climbing the ranks, eventually leading them to the Vice Presidency, I experienced a renewed motivation to finish writing my book. One of things I despise most are self-serving hypocrites, especially those that only support whistleblowers when it’s politically advantageous to them. Having had personal experience with this hypocrisy while the current Vice President was the California Attorney General, I felt obligated to finish writing my book. Telling my story with the help of Defiance Press and Publishing exposed the hypocrisy and provided this whistleblower a platform to elevate my voice.

How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

Everyone has a story to tell, which can be emotionally draining in many ways. My book was non-fiction, with certain elements of an autobiography. This forced me to relive some stressful moments and dark periods in my life. There were times while writing that I felt various emotions and had to take a break. There were definitely some Old Fashioneds involved after some of the writing days. The process was extremely cathartic in a way because I was able to share what I was feeling and thinking during this time in my life with my readers in my own words.

What was the inspiration for the story?

Being a whistleblower is not easy. Once you become a whistleblower, you’re a part of a group of brave individuals who have risked everything to expose wrongdoing. I had received some coverage in the press regarding my actions and the actions of my fellow lottery whistleblowers, but it was watered down. Writing gave me the opportunity to claim my story in my own words, while also hopefully inspiring other whistleblowers to share their story.

What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

Always believe your gut when something doesn’t seem right and don’t be afraid to speak up when others are remaining silent. The only thing that scares a bully is being exposed, even when the bully is a government entity and those that do their bidding.

Tell us about the process for coming up with the cover.

I am a nerd and artist at heart, even though I’m a big guy who can look intimidating. I’ve always loved art, music, and comics. There was an idea that had been rolling around in my brain of the lottery law enforcement challenge coin in front of a scratch off ticket. I provided Defiance a basic idea of what I was thinking and their team came back with a beautiful cover that far exceeded my expectations. The final product is vibrant and compelling.

Do you write listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this current book?

I have a very eclectic music taste. My playlist ranges from punk to country, with some alternative and classic music thrown in. One of my favorite characters is Bosch, who listens to jazz almost exclusively while investigating and looking for clues in documents. I took some inspiration and began listening to classic jazz while writing. I found it to be relaxing and stimulating at the same time. There is now a large amount of jazz in my playlist. 

What was the highlight of writing this book?

There were several highlights for me while writing this book and getting published. A few things that have really stood out for me have been sharing my story with radio/podcast hosts, signing my book as a guest of Grunt Style at a Texas comic convention, and meeting Randy Sutton the week my book was released.

What was your dream job when you were younger?

It was a tie between a lawyer and a Ghostbuster. My favorite show was Matlock and my favorite movie was Ghostbusters. I had a seersucker suit and a Ghostbuster jumpsuit complete with a proton pack. This probably led me to my career choice because it’s somewhere between paranormal investigator, minus the paranormal, and lawyer.  

What’s your favorite spot to visit? And what makes it so special to you?

Las Vegas has been the one city I’ve been in love with since the first time I saw it driving into town at night. There have been many memories I’ve made in Vegas, some of which were included in my book. When the investigative report I participated in aired on CBS Los Angeles, we were walking though the Flamingo trying to find a spot to sit. We ended up sitting down on a short staircase that no longer exists and watched the report air. It was both exciting and terrifying to watch knowing that I was the guy with the disguised identity and altered voice. This will always be one of my favorite memories in Vegas along with receiving the call that Defiance was interested in working with me to publish my book. 

If you could only have one season, what would it be?

This is probably the easiest question for me to answer. I would gladly take the fall because it has my three favorite holidays. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I love the feeling of fall, decorations, and pumpkin everything! 

Where can readers purchase your book?

My book is currently available on Amazon where it was a #1 new release. You can also learn more about me and find links to my book at www.reidgalbreath.com.

Excerpt from What Are The Odds

I was so stressed Sunday night that I couldn’t sleep. In a few hours, I would have to wake up to make sure I was on time for this meeting.

There were several thoughts racing through my head about what to expect and what was going to happen to us. I finally fell asleep a few hours before my alarm went off.

I got up and started my routine, which had been the same one for over three years. Make my first cup of coffee. Have breakfast while watching the news. Shave, take a shower, and pick out my clothes. I put on my belt, sliding it through each loop. I put on my handcuff case, my gun holster, and finally my badge.

I was issued badge #137 when I was hired by the lottery. The number thirteen was one of my lucky numbers, so having it on the badge made me happy. The badge had been with me through some tough times. I wore it to Aaron’s funeral. It was on my belt when I was driving back to Sacramento several times in 2014 when my grandma was dying.

I had cried while wearing that badge, I had bled while wearing that badge, and I was proud every time I put that badge to my belt. In a way, the badge was a friend who had my back through every good and bad day I had since the first time I put it on. I looked down at it one last time before I covered it with my overshirt. I realized this may be the last time I’d get to wear it.