In this episode of The Career Flipper, I had the pleasure of catching up with G.T. "Greg" Karber, a creative force who’s turned his passion for mysteries into a thriving career. Greg and I go way back to our college days, where we studied abroad in Galway, Ireland. Fast forward nearly two decades, and it's inspiring to see where our paths have led us. Greg’s journey from a creative whirlwind to a focused mystery writer is a testament to the power of intentional reinvention. Here’s a deep dive into Greg’s career flip and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Greg’s career trajectory is anything but linear. In Los Angeles, he dipped his toes into various creative endeavors—writing scripts, directing a musical, creating web games, and performing with an ensemble theater group. Despite his efforts, he felt creatively and commercially stagnant. It wasn’t until he made a conscious decision to specialize that things began to shift.
In late 2020, Greg decided to pivot his career towards a more focused niche: murder mysteries. This decision was not a sudden whim but a strategic move. He rebranded himself as G.T. Karber a name that added an element of sophistication and helped clear his digital footprint of past projects. He also invested in a professional photoshoot to craft a compelling public persona and launched a website dedicated to interactive mystery games.
Greg’s rebranding journey was not without obstacles. Just as he was set to launch his mystery platform in early 2021, he was sidelined by COVID-19, delaying his plans by a couple of months. But he persevered and, when Murdle—a murder mystery puzzle game—was released, it quickly gained traction. Murdle success led to a book deal and an agent, proving that Greg’s focused approach was paying off.
One key takeaway from Greg’s story is the importance of intentional branding. By narrowing his focus to mysteries and presenting himself as a dedicated mystery writer, Greg was able to build a more coherent and appealing persona. He emphasizes the value of creating a public image that aligns with your professional goals, even if it means adopting a persona that helps you stand out.
Despite his success, Greg admits to experiencing imposter syndrome, particularly when he felt his identity as a mystery writer was still developing. However, embracing his new persona as G.T. Karber allowed him to navigate these feelings more effectively. By framing his public image as a fictional character he was embodying, Greg found solace in his new identity.
Greg’s approach to feedback is another insightful lesson. He advises focusing on feedback from those who are aligned with your niche rather than trying to please everyone. For creators, this means tailoring your work to resonate with your ideal audience and filtering out irrelevant critiques.
Greg also highlights the importance of documenting your achievements. Investing in professional photography helped him create a tangible representation of his new brand. This visual evidence of his transformation was crucial in establishing his credibility and presence in the mystery genre.
For those eager to explore Greg’s work, you can find his mystery books and games at murdle.com Follow him on Instagram under the handle @gregkarber for updates and insights into his creative process. Greg’s upcoming projects include a new volume of Murdle and a board game, with Murdle Jr. set to release this November for middle-grade readers.
Thanks for reading this story on The Career Flipper Podcast!
Every week, I, Jenny Dempsey, chat with folks from all over the globe about their amazing career flips. I dive into stories from every industry imaginable—big flips, small flips, and everything in between, whether they were by choice or circumstance. Sharing these journeys makes me feel less alone in my own career flip from customer service manager to furniture flipper and podcast host, and I really hope it does the same for you.
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