Journey to Heartland: An Interview with Cynthia Bogard, author of the Heartland Trilogy

Cynthia J. Bogard has reinvented herself as a novelist after a successful career as a Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies at Hofstra University in New York. Born and raised in rural Wisconsin, she’s lived in Kuwait, Greece, Mexico, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

World traveler, longtime feminist and environmentalist, Greece, mid-century jazz, and Mother Nature are all close to her heart. These days, Cynthia lives with her spouse and two rescue dogs in Montpelier, Vermont.

Visit www.CynthiaJBogard.com for news about Cynthia and her work.

You can buy A History of Silence here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always been a writer—I got a blue ribbon at the County Fair (in very rural Wisconsin) for my story as a first grader. Writing has been in my life since then.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve been a tenured professor of sociology for the past quarter-century. But before that, I worked as a physics journal copyeditor, a science journal proofreader, and a science journal developmental editor. That job was in Kuwait and it was from a co-worker there that I heard the story that eventually led to this novel.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Giving my characters a life out there in the world. After all they’ve been through, they so deserve it!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Jenny likes Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Whitney Houston.

Maddie likes Cris Williams, Joan Armatrading, Joan Baez, and Tracy Chapman.

Liz is partial to classical music.

Jane never got exposed to music at all, except at Mass.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

That trauma is survivable and that solidarity is a big part of the solution.

That the only way to deal with a traumatizing history, whether personal or cultural, is to acknowledge it, tell truth about it, and find comfort in others who have suffered too.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I just finished proofing Beach of the Dead, the second part of the Heartland Trilogy.

I am deep into writing Longing for Winter, the third part of the Heartland Trilogy.

Can a trilogy have a sequel? There might be too much I want to say to fit it all into the third book!

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

I have been impressed with the professionalism and positive, can-do attitude of everyone I’ve worked with at Atmosphere Press. They’ve been transparent about their pricing and not pushy about adding services I don’t need. I love their covers! That’s why I signed a second contract with them.

You can buy A History of Silence here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.