Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in a housing project in Appalachia and always knew I wanted to be a writer. After college, I spent almost 20 years behind the scenes in TV and TV news where I picked up a lot of inspiration for stories. American Goth is my first published mystery, but I have 3 more scheduled to be published the next four months. I’m also the author of several books on using your PC or tablet. I enjoy solving those kinds of mysteries as well.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
American Goth was inspired by some of the crimes and investigations in nearby rural communities when I worked in news. And also by members of my family and my husband’s family that live in small towns and on farms and love it. I think there’s a misperception that people who live in rural American are unsophisticated and out-of-touch. Nothing is further from the truth.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do most of my creating while I’m taking long walks. Then I rush home to write it all down.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Laura Ingalls Wilder was the first author whose books I sat down and devoured. I spent my childhood pecking out lame Little House imitations on a manual typewriter my uncle gave me. As I grew older, Robert B. Parker, Dorothy L. Sayers, Dashiell Hammett and other great mystery writers inspired me as well as great TV writers like Stephen J. Cannel, Donald Bellasario, and Glen A. Larson.
What are you working on now?
Final edits on What The Chat Dragged in (a much darker mystery than American Goth) and on Killer Clowns from Out of State, as well as a slightly supernatural novella called, The Girl of His Dreams. I’ve already completed the sequel to American Goth called A Maze and Grace.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still new at this game, but so far I’ve found mailing lists, hardcore social media, and being on the lookout for opportunities to be my best bet.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Edit, edit, edit, edit and the edit it one more time. Then get yourself a snack and edit it again.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I know it’s a cliché, but find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.
What are you reading now?
A whole bunch of books about promoting yourself as an author! Recently reread Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers as well as David McCullough’s John Adams, Simon R. Green’s Dr. DOA, and Laurie R. King’s Murder of Mary Russell.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have sequel’s planned for all of my upcoming novels.
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?
These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers, The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.
Author Websites and Profiles
Cyn Mackley Website
Cyn Mackley Amazon Profile
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