Interview With Author Carolyn Summer Quinn
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings from New York City! I’m Carolyn Summer Quinn, and I’ve written 16 books, with a 17th in the works. I work in lots of genres, mostly cozy mysteries, but also historical fiction and children’s books. I love every minute of writing! It’s so much fun and so rewarding, too.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called THE MYSTERY FROM WAY BACK WHEN. It’s set during the American home front of World War II where two brothers find an abandoned baby on the steps of their church. Later, the baby, all grown up, desperately needs answers about her origins. I set the story in the mostly Irish tough but proud neighborhood where my dad grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, since he always treated me to so many wonderful stories about it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does writing books on a laptop while sitting cross-legged on my bed count? That’s how I’ve worked on 17 books! Hey, it works for me! Though sometimes when I get up and walk it feels like I just got off a horse.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Patrick Dennis, the Author of AUNTIE MAME and more, was my favorite as a child – and still is. He was hilarious! He had such an eye for the absurd. I just re-read AROUND THE WORLD WITH AUNTIE MAME and it still has me laughing, literally FIFTY years after I first read it in 1974. My favorite mystery writer is Jonathan Kellerman. And one of my favorite books of all time happens to be IS PARIS BURNING by Dominique LaPierre and Larry Collins. It’s non-fiction, it tells of the liberation of Paris during World War II, and it’s amazing but true! The collection of coincidences that led to victory there are mind-blowing.
What are you working on now?
I had several jobs, and some of them were, quite frankly, atrocious, especially the non-profits. So at the moment I’m writing a mystery set in a wild and crazy non-profit organization where there’s a crook on the staff. Hmmm, now don’t you just wonder what in the world might have inspired me to write something along the likes of that? Tee hee hee…
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on figuring that out. Most of my time is spent writing, so promoting is a challenge. I enjoy making wall signs for social media on Canva and put them all over the Internet. Twitter has a great hashtag called #writerslift where authors can promote their books and I love it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Go for it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s a quote from Admiral Farragut, who was a naval officer during the Civil War. He said, “Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead!” It’s like “go for it” on steroids and it’s my all-time favorite quote.
What are you reading now?
WAR BRIDES by Helen Bryan. It’s a World War II story and it’s very hard to put down. I highly recommend it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to keep right on writing.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
AUNTIE MAME. by Patrick Dennis, IS PARIS BURNING by Dominique LaPierre and Larry Collins, and BAD LOVE by Jonathan Kellerman.
Author Websites and Profiles
Carolyn Summer Quinn Amazon Profile
Carolyn Summer Quinn’s Social Media Links
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