Category Archives: Author Interviews

This week, I am delighted to welcome Emily Liebert to Skipping Midnight. A two-time published author and journalist extraordinaire, chances are you’ve seen her on TV discussing Facebook, Bing, or the line of Zoya nail polish that coincides with her latest book.

YOU KNEW ME WHEN, released this past September, is both her first novel and her first book published with one of the major houses. Like Hazel Gaynor last week, she is a true go-getter, breaking down boundaries with hard work and brimming with advice for aspiring writers hoping to do the same.

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1. First off, I have to say that your resume is utterly dizzying! Editor-in-chief of a luxury lifestyle magazine, executive assistant at ABC News, editor of Kerry Kennedy’s bestseller, spokesperson for Bing and Facebook, author of two (soon-to-be three) books, AND mother of two boys. Phew. How on earth do you find the time – and the energy – to keep moving?

For starters, I’ve always had a lot of energy. I like to go, go, go. Relaxation isn’t really part of my agenda, unless I’m reclining on a lounge chair in Anguilla with a cocktail in hand, but even then I can’t sit still for long. Seriously, though, between managing a big career and being a devoted mom to my two boys (Jax, 4 & Hugo, 3), it’s definitely a balancing act. There’s a good deal of planning and strategic thinking that goes into it. I don’t believe in “having it all.” I believe in having as much as you can manage, which in my case tends to be a lot! Continue reading →

She may be Irish, but Hazel Gaynor has plenty to be thankful for on this American holiday eve. After self-publishing her debut novel last year, she wound up attracting the attention of a phenomenal agent* in NYC, scoring a two-book deal with William Morrow (including a reprint of her debut), and becoming one of those stories writers tell each other when they’re in dire need of hope.

This week, she talks about her amazing journey to publication, and reminds us all why giving up should never be an option.

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1. You have one of those publishing stories that thousands of aspiring authors dream about. After several attempts at getting a traditional publishing deal, you decided to self-publish. How did that decision come about and how did you feel at the time?

I was incredibly nervous about self-publishing The Girl Who Came Home and, to be honest, very disappointed that things hadn’t happened the “traditional” way after trying for three years. My agent at the time suggested I self-publish and my family also offered me huge encouragement, but the major factor in my decision was the approaching Titanic centenary in April 2012. I knew that if I published my book to coincide with that event, I would give myself the best chance of success, as it was timely, relevant and based on a subject matter which was seeing a huge resurgence of interest. I felt it was now or never and that was the final motivation to pluck up the courage and send my book out into the world. Continue reading →

Joining me for Skipping Midnight’s author interview series this week is the wonderful and extremely talented Heather Webb. Her debut novel, BECOMING JOSEPHINE, will be published by Penguin/Plume on December 31.

I’m truly delighted to have her and am sure you’ll enjoy everything she has to say. Read on!

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1. BECOMING JOSEPHINE tells the story of Josephine Bonaparte, first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. What was it that attracted you to this historical figure?

I taught French history for almost a decade, and the French revolutionary period always fascinated me. But I really first became interested in Josephine because of a song by Tori Amos about her. Years later, I awoke one morning with Josephine’s voice in my head. Just like that! So I read my first biography of her and I was hooked. Besides, she wouldn’t stop babbling in my ear. The topic for my current work in progress happened in a similar way—my protagonist started talking to me. My husband thinks I’m insane. Hearing voices in your head must not be normal!

2. As a fellow writer, I have to say hearing voices is perfectly normal. So what do you think people will love most about Josephine’s story?

Above all, I hope my novel inspires readers to want to know more about Josephine, the times in which she lived, and the people in her life. Also, I hope they just enjoy her story! It was a real doozy. Continue reading →

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Exactly one year ago today, Dana Gynther released her debut novel, CROSSING ON THE PARIS. The story follows three women as they take life-altering journeys on the SS Paris (one in first class, one in second, and one in steerage), from Le Havre to Manhattan in 1921.

In honor of the novel’s one-year anniversary, Dana  is celebrating by baking a red velvet cake and kicking off Skipping Midnight’s author interview series. Enjoy!

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1. It’s been a year since you released your debut novel, CROSSING ON THE PARIS, to stellar reviews. How has your life changed since you achieved the dream? How has it remained the same?

It has been extremely fulfilling to know that my writing is being read outside my circle of friends and family—that my book is available (or checked out!) at most US libraries, that book clubs are discussing it, that thousands of people have chosen to buy it, that it is being translated into Russian. But beyond that mind candy, my life has changed very little. That is mostly due to the fact that I live abroad—I’ve spent the last twenty years in Valencia, Spain—and have not yet been able to stroll into a bookshop and see my work on the shelf (that must be so exciting!), much less do readings or other events. It’s been frustrating… and something I intend to remedy the next time around.  

2. Writing about multiple protagonists is a daunting task for a debut novelist. How did you decide to format the story this way, and why do you think it worked?

I had the idea for this novel while translating a museum catalog on ocean liners—their history, sociology, and aesthetics. While doing those articles, I found their most interesting aspect to be the huge contrast in the accommodations and services from First to Third class. Of course, anyone who wanted to cross oceans back then had to take a steamer—from famous millionaires to humble immigrants—and the conditions differed accordingly.  That was what I wanted to explore when I decided to write this novel. Continue reading →