Cynthia Hickey

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I live in Arizona with my husband and two of our seven children. (We have the typical yours, mine, and ours family). I’m lucky enough to have all five grandchildren close by. I’ve been making up stories since I was a child and am thrilled to have an outlet for my “creativity”. My third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime received a four star review from Romantic Times.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I knew seriously when I was fifteen. Waited until life calmed down before actually following through on my dream.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?
A. When Barbour announced the opening of their Heartsong Presents mystery line, a friend dared me to step out of my comfort zone and write a cozy mystery. I didn’t even know what one was, but rarely turning down a dare, I plotted out a mystery. I entered Fudge-Laced Felonies in a contest, won first place, acquired an agent, and that same year was one of the authors presented with their first contract at the ACFW lunch in 2007. Whew, that was a whirlwind year.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release?
Fudge-Laced Felonies is dear to my heart because it was my first published novel and so much fun to write.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for FUDGE-LACED FELONIES?
A: The main character, Summer Meadows is so much like me that my mother actually asked if I modeled her after myself.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?
A: To let go and let God. Things work so much better when He’s in control.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?
A: It has to be the first scene when Summer walks into church in search of a killer.

Q: What inspires you to write?
A. Definitely God. He causes my head to spin with ideas for stories.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?
A: It’s a lot more work than I thought it would be. Like any novice writer, I thought you wrote the story, got published, and that was it. Not so! I can honestly say marketing is my least favorite part.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?
A: Never give up, never give up, never give up. It’s persistence that pays off in this industry.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I have a few historical romances floating around waiting to see whether they can find a home.

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?
A. That I am actually a very shy person. Shocking, I know.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?
A. READ!!!! Everything; menus, back of cereal boxes, etc. I love words.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. Hmmm. I spend my days with detention students who are clamoring for a story of their own. (cue diabolical laugh)