An Interview with Karin Ciholas
I grew up in Switzerland, a beautiful country that has four official languages, none of them English. My first courses in Gymnasium focused on Latin and Greek, and I fell in love with both of them. My father grew up in Norway. Hence the Scandinavian spelling of my first name. I married a Frenchman and lived in France for years. His family were refugees from what today is the Ukraine but was then part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. When I came to the US for college, I took my first course taught in English and received my PhD in comparative literature from UNC-Chapel Hill. I taught languages and courses on the ancient world at Centre College in Kentucky. While teaching, I enjoyed writing short stories and plays. After retiring from teaching, I turned to novels about the ancient world. I have won seventeen awards for my short stories, plays, and novels.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Three separate stand-alone novels make up the Cyrenian Trilogy. All three trace the life of Simon of Cyrene from his school days in Cyrene, to his study of medicine in Alexandria, to his confrontation with Rome. My fascination with Alexandria and its library called the Museion inspired the obvious first title – The Lighthouse. It was the wonder of the ancient world. The second started out being called The Statue because Caligula wanted his statue to be placed in the temple in Jerusalem. I decided in the middle of writing that part that I was placing too much importance on Caligula and not enough on the big project that was taking place in Jerusalem, where an artist from Alexandria named Nicanor was commissioned to make The Bronze Door. When I got to the third title, a friend pointed out that I had two strong buildings as my first two titles, the third should be focused on a strong monumental presence as well. Because Jerusalem and the temple are under siege in the Roman-Jewish War, the temple must be featured. That’s how The Temple At Sunset came about.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
I am in awe of Matthew Fielder, who designed my covers. They are works of art.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Books have always been my friends. I always wanted to talk to the author and ask questions about other possible endings when the ending was sad. I made up a lot of stories when I was little and typed them and illustrated them. It was only natural that I turned to writing.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Teaching. When I lived in Strasbourg, I lived in a house that was built in 1532. It was the newest on the block! I could see the amazing spire of the Cathedral from the front window.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
The research and the writing. I was fascinated to read so many details about the people around Philo, the greatest Jewish philosopher of the period. His nephew, a Jew, became one of the most powerful administrators in the Roman Empire.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
We don’t really know what the ancient songs sounded like. But many songs honoring the emperor, like Salve imperator were transformed into hymns that proclaimed ‘Salve Christe.’
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
I hope the reader cares for the characters. Simon is forceful and stubborn, sometimes difficult, but I hope readers admire his devotion to healing and come to admire his love, loyalty, and anguish for his family. He wants to save his sons from disaster.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
Atmosphere Press is professional and kind. They have great cover artists and great editors. Like many presses, they are adapting to many changes in the world of publishing. They are publishing a lot more books, and that will add pressure to the process. I hope they can keep their focus on kind professionalism.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.