Ask the Author: Cynthia Swanson

“Ask me a question.” Cynthia Swanson

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I'm currently reading The Glass Forest, which I got from a Page Habit box so it came with your annotated notes all throughout, which is really interesting! I've just got to page 92, where Mrs. Hawke calls and speaks with Angie to offer condolences. Your note said this scene is reminiscent of a similar scene in a classic thriller...but I'm stumped! What book is it?? Thanks :)

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Alison. Sorry I just saw this question! The scene is reminiscent of the scene in Rebecca where Mrs. Danvers calls on the house phone and asks to speak to Mrs. de Winter. The second Mrs. de Winter believes Mrs. Danvers is looked for Rebecca, and doesn't know how to respond. In the same way, in The Glass Forest, when Mrs. Hawke calls and asks if it's Mrs. Glass speaking, Angie believes the caller is looking for Silja. Hope this helps -- and I hope you enjoyed The Glass Forest!

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Dear Cynthia, I and my siblings were all born in the 50's and we lived in Denver and the suburbs from 1955 till FOREVER. My mother was an unsung Hero of her day when she was the first Headstart Teacher in the mid 60's. She had an autistic child in her class and with my mother's amazing and innate gift with children, that little girl was the first autistic child to go to public kindergarten. More to come?

Cynthia Swanson This is lovely, Kelli -- thank you for sharing. Kudos to your wonderful mother. I wish my fictional Michael would have had a teacher like her -- maybe in later years, right? There is not a sequel to The Bookseller, but please do check out my second novel, The Glass Forest. It's also set in the early 1960s, but features very different characters and locales. Enjoy, and thanks for posting!

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I just finished The Glass Forest. To me the house named The Birdcage was a metaphor for the characters personal demons and being imprisioned by these emotions. Was that your intent?

Cynthia Swanson Definitely, Lisa! The Birdcage was certainly a metaphor for its residents' inner lives. Hope you enjoyed The Glass Forest!

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I'm still eagerly awaiting release day, but I have been thinking about this book! I think names are important, and there's another notable family named Glass in the 1960s. Is your family's name an homage to JD Salinger? Or do I just need to wait till Feb to find out more?

Cynthia Swanson Hah! Well, my Glasses bear little resemblance to those famous fictional Glasses -- but I am a huge Salinger fan, so perhaps I was subconsciously paying homage to them when I wrote The Glass Forest. Thanks for the question, Barbara!

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Have you thought of writing 60s era YAL? Or YAL at all?

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Ray. Interesting question! My upcoming second novel, The Glass Forest, takes place in 1960 and includes three narrators -- age 21, age 17, and one who tells the family history, starting when she's 20 through age 38. So perhaps that setup satisfies this request. The Glass Forest releases on February 6, 2018 -- make sure to keep an eye out for it. Thanks!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

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Dear Cynthia, I've come to the end of the story which left me slightly bemused. I would have preferred the other dream to be reality. Perhaps a sequel from you to explore a different outcome? Thank you again for providing hours of mind-stirring pleasure and suspense while trapped in slow traffic!

Cynthia Swanson Hi! You must have listened to the audio version with the wonderful narration by Kathe Mazur. Glad you enjoyed it! No sequel in the works...we will all have to imagine how it would be if things turned out differently. Kind of like real life.

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I enjoyed "The Bookseller". It sort of reminded me of the play "A Woman In Mind ", by Alan Ayckbourn, at least in terms of plot structure. Were you at all influenced by that play in writing "The Bookseller"?

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Debra -- thanks for your question. I had not heard of this play until you mentioned it, but it certainly sounds intriguing. I'll keep my eye out for a performance of it, and will see if I can get a hold of a copy of the script. I'd love to read it!

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I loved your book, would you give a recommendation of any books similar to yours or authors you have read that give the same feeling as your book?

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Rae! Thanks for your question. Some favorites along similar lines to The Bookseller:

The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer
The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.

Enjoy!

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Cynthia, We had met at a book club that discussed your book, at Starbucks, in Oct. 2015. I enjoyed your book and meeting you and getting an insider's look at the process was amazing! Thank you again for that opportunity. I have a student in band at DCHS, and we have a fundraiser coming up, that includes a silent auction. Is there a way to get a signed copy of your book The Bookseller for the auction? -Terry

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Terry, please ask me this through my contact page on my website: http://www.integritymodern.com/contact/

Thanks.

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Hey there from Portugal! I loved the Bookseller, I think it was really creative and fresh - I just couldn't stop reading it! Do you have plans for a new book? If so, what is it about and when do you plan on publishing it?

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Cristiana -- thanks for writing, and I'm so glad you enjoyed The Bookseller. Did you read the US version or the Portuguese?

I am at work on another novel. No date yet, but I'll keep you posted! Here's the basic premise:

In 1960s suburban New York, a naïve young bride attempts to parent her troubled teenage niece whose mother has disappeared.

I hope this piques your interest! Have a great day.

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Dear Cynthia, I borrowed the Audiobook from the library to listen when I drive to work through slow traffic. Now I'm unable to get out of the car after I've parked. I've got to know what's going on, at least to the end of the episode. The 1960s setting is a pleasant surprise as I was in secondary school then, and memories of the decade are still vivid. Are the dream scenes considered lucid dreams?

Cynthia Swanson Hi! I think they could be considered lucid dreams...but it's all up to your interpretation. The Bookseller makes a great discussion book, exactly because of questions like this one. If you're in a book club, perhaps get your group to read it...? I've had many readers let me know how much they enjoy discussing The Bookseller with others, especially the dream aspect. Thanks again!

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Cynthia Swanson

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I loved the time era The Bookseller was set in. What made you choose the early 1960's for this story?

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Vicky. Initially, the story was set in the present day. I realized shortly into a first draft that the story belonged in an earlier era. Technology and our fast-paced lifestyle were incongruous with the slow way in which Kitty had to find out what was happening. I chose the 60s because I love the era design-wise -- the clothes, the cars, the homes and funishings. And it was a fascinating time of social change, so that worked well for the story. Thanks for reading The Bookseller!

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Cynthia Swanson Barbara, there were a few other title ideas thrown around, but ultimately I felt the title reflected both the Kitty world and what Katharyn longed for in her world. I like short titles that get right to the point, and this one fit the bill. Thanks for the question!

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Hi Cynthia, I am currently a member of a book club (aka wine club) and I chose your book "The Bookseller" for our meeting this month. Do you have any discussion questions for this book? Usually we theme the meeting with food from the book - anything you can suggest? I didn't get any inspiration from the book - except may 1960's cocktails. I really enjoyed the book. Kelly King

Cynthia Swanson Hi, Kelly -- here's a reader's guide to The Bookseller: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/rev...

For food -- I recently had a Bookseller cocktail party for friends. I did 1960s style finger food -- canapes, shrimp cocktail, toothpicks with cheese and salami skewered on them, etc. I have a copy of the Joy of Cooking from 1954, and it provided much inspiration. I think you could Google 1960s cocktail party recipes and find similar ideas. Good luck and have fun!

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