Featured Interview With Shawn P McCarthy

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in the Finger Lakes area of Central New York. After living in Washington DC for 12 years, my family and I settled in Massachusetts. I have a wife, two kids, and two grand-kids, plus big goofy yellow lab and a spoiled rotten cat.
I have a fascination with history and historical fiction. For a couple of years, I worked at the Smithsonian Institution. So that was a historian’s dream. My son also went to preschool right in the museums, so he also was exposed to fascinating things at a young age.
During that time I managed to keep my hand in with other writing, including a few articles that I wrote for The Washington Post. But I never gave up on my dream to write books. First non-fiction business books, and then historical fiction. My new book, Local Honey, is my tenth book.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was lucky because I knew I loved to read at a young age, and also I wanted to be a writer early on. By my early teens I planned to be a novelist, but when it came time to go to college, I was bitten by the journalism bug. I received a degree in journalism from Saint Bonaventure University and wrote for newspapers for five years.
But newspapers were starting their decline in readership, and since my wife and I wanted to start a family, I went back for a Master’s degree and made a career switch, first to non-profits and eventually to the corporate world. During that time, I developed a deep interest in historical fiction. I respected how the stories could take readers to a specific time and place, while also tapping into human emotions that are evocative and timeless.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and that’s also what I write. Thus I’m a fan of writes like Hilary Mantel, Ken Follett, and Colleen McCullough.
I’m inspired by authors who understand wordlbuilding as part of the stories they tell. People talk a lot about “worldbuilding” in connection to fantasy or science fiction stories. But historical fiction builds a different kind of world. It reconstructs a slice of the past and lets the reader walk through it, seeing the sights from that time and touching things that may no longer exist, while also feeling and understanding human emotions that remain eternal. The best historical fiction writers are able to do that, and I aspire to do the same.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I’m about to publish Local Honey, a novel set in 1951, long before terms like “PTSD” were part of the public lexicon. It tells the story of Jim Yarrow, a wounded World War II veteran who returns home to small-town Massachusetts where he manages to find peace, family, and a comfortable routine. But even though that’s soothing, his calmer life doesn’t fully silence the echoes of war, which really has had an affect on his whole town.
Local Honey is also the story of Becky Bivens, a destitute but resilient woman returning to her childhood home ten years after her mother’s scandal forced them to flee. Intent on rebuilding her life as a simple beekeeper, Becky finds her past waiting for her—a past that includes Yarrow. The book is a study of haves vs have-nots in post-war America, and how people get drawn into situations that are beyond their control, forcing them to make stark choices about their lives and who they will listen to.
• The 1950s were a pivotal time in America.
o The country was still recovering from the trauma of the Second World War, while also entering a period of great economic expansion.
o But the decade also came with strict social rules and crippling class divisions. Not everyone was able to participate in the new prosperity,
o While the book is at times serious, humorous and touching, there is a cloud of desperation and moral ambiguity that hangs in the background.
It took me just under two years to write the book, and probably 40% of that time was doing intense research into the early 1950s and the look, fel and attitudes of that era.

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Shawn P McCarthy’s Website

Featured Interview With Adrian Bekyarov

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a writer who gives voice to the Universe. My passion is blending science, spirituality, and poetic insight to awaken something timeless in the reader. I believe that writing is not just expression — it is remembrance. Through every word, I try to reconnect people with who they truly are.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing at a young age, inspired by questions about the Universe, life, and where we come from. Even as a child, I felt that words had the power to connect us to something greater. Over time, writing became my way of listening to the silence between the stars.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m inspired by writers who explore the mystery of existence. I admire Kahlil Gibran for his poetic wisdom, Michael A. Singer for his spiritual clarity, Carl Sagan for blending science with wonder, and Rumi for turning the soul into poetry. Their words remind me that truth is not taught — it’s remembered.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled “Window to Infinity: I Am the Universe.” It is written from the perspective of the Universe itself — a voice that guides the reader through the birth of time, the dance of matter, and the awakening of consciousness. It blends science, spirituality, and poetic insight to remind us that we are not separate from the cosmos — we are its living expression.

Featured Interview With Eileen T. Lynch

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a writer and educator who grew up in Park Ridge, IL, a twenty-minute train ride from downtown Chicago. A graduate of Maine South High School and Loyola University, I was influenced by her insurance man father who participated in the Hull House Playwright’s Workshop and frequent trips with her mother to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Early jobs in retail and advertising gave me a lifelong love of Michigan Avenue and the Loop, where until Covid, 800,000 people commuted to work every day.

My next stop was the Clothesline School of Writing at the University of Chicago which included weekly public readings at the Woodlawn Tap.

Visits to college friends in Albuquerque prompted me to visit and then to live and work in New Mexico. In Albuquerque, I joined the SouthWest Writers. Art fairs in Santa Fe and Taos combined with hiking trips throughout the state added an appreciation for the Southwest.

Returning to Chicago in 1999, I worked for the Institute of Real Estate managements as Ethics Administrator for thirteen years. In 2015, I joined The Writer’s Hotel where yearly conferences provided a vibrant writing community and an opportunity to read my work in New York City and in Maine.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading at the age of 5 and never stopped. My first poem was published in the school paper when I was eight.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Hard to pick favorites when there are so many. I loved F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Willa Cather as a student. As an adult I discovered Haruki Murakami, Colum McCann, Jose Saramago, and Lucia Berlin. I enjoy literary fiction as well as realist and magical realism.

In my writing, writer friends who I’ve met through The Writer’s Hotel and other workshops inspire me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My forthcoming novel is Splenditude, which follows protagonist Deirdre Collins.

Deirdre’s driving passion is to write a great novel. When she is unable to publish her first novel, depression lands her on suicide watch in a psych hospital. There she meets Max Fletcher, a handsome young man with drive and genius who is battling demons of his own. They understand each other due to their similar brain chemistry. Whether their relationship benefits or hurts them creates suspense as the story unfolds.

After discharge, they move to different parts of the country and lose track of each other. Max becomes a successful entertainment producer in New York city. Deirdre teaches behaviorally challenged children in a northern Illinois town while studying with a famous writer.

A commitment to health and craft enables Deirdre to reimagine her struggles through the students she teaches. Just as writing success seems imminent, a visit from Max upends everything Deirdre has built.

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Eileen T. Lynch’s Website

Featured Interview With Rohanthi Wijewickrama

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi! I’m Rohanthi Wijewickrama—but you can call me Ro (it’s easier to shout when you’re chasing after kids or a dog with a sock in his mouth). I was born and raised in the vibrant, history-rich island of Sri Lanka, where mango trees are plenty and inspiration is everywhere.

In 2010, I swapped tropical monsoons for Canadian snowstorms and now call Toronto home, where I live with my husband, two wonderfully energetic kids, and our dog—who firmly believes he runs the house (he’s not entirely wrong).

I write everything from mysterious adventures to heartwarming children’s books and the occasional romantic twist. When I’m not writing, I run Bellybees, my creative brand for kids, and speak passionately about empowering young minds and women dreamers.

Basically, if there’s a story to tell, a cause to support, or a cup of tea to sip while plotting a fictional mystery—I’m in.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think my fascination with books began the moment I realized they could transport me to places my feet hadn’t yet touched—and let’s be honest, growing up in Sri Lanka, there was no shortage of imagination fuel. At 10 years old, I wrote my first story perched on top of a mango tree, convinced it would become a bestseller (sadly, the manuscript vanished—possibly eaten by a goat or buried under fallen leaves).

Back then, I didn’t even call it “writing”—I just thought my imaginary friends deserved dramatic plot twists and happy endings. Over time, those scribbles turned into real stories with real heart, and I realized this wasn’t just a childhood quirk. This was my passion.

Now, whether I’m writing mysteries, magical adventures, or heartwarming children’s tales, I always aim to bring that same sense of wonder, mischief, and mango-tree-level imagination to everything I create.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Oh, I’m a joyful genre-hopper—both in reading and writing! One day I’m curled up with a cozy mystery and a mug of tea, and the next, I’m racing through an espionage thriller with my heart in my throat. I’ve always had a soft spot for stories with a hint of magic and mystery—witchcraft-themed books like The Secret Circle sparked my imagination early on. And of course, I grew up devouring Nancy Drew and The Famous Five, dreaming of solving mysteries with a flashlight and a packed sandwich.

I’m equally drawn to the adrenaline of espionage tales—spies, secrets, and hidden agendas always keep me turning the page. I love stories that invite you to unravel clues, whether it’s through coded letters or ancient lockets passed down through generations.

Some of my favorite authors? Agatha Christie is my forever muse with her brilliant plotting, Kate Morton for her time-swept mysteries, and Liane Moriarty for her keen insight into the layers of human nature. I’m also endlessly inspired by authors who bring heart into children’s literature—like Oliver Jeffers and Jacqueline Woodson.

And inspiration? It’s everywhere. In the grandmother who weaves family history into bedtime stories. In the child who scribbles magical kingdoms into the corners of their notebooks. In the quiet strength of women chasing dreams between daily routines. I write for them—and because of them.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I’m thrilled to share two very different stories that are close to my heart, each catering to a different audience but equally packed with excitement and adventure!

Agent 174: In Shadows of Deception is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller for adult readers. It follows Ella Carter, a retired CIA agent who thought she had left her dangerous past behind. However, when a global terrorist organization threatens to unleash devastation, Ella is pulled back into a world she hoped to escape. With her unmatched skills in espionage, she’s the only one who can stop the threat. But her mission isn’t just about defeating the enemy—it’s about confronting the ghosts of her past, including old enemies and unresolved emotions. Torn between a love she once knew and a new unexpected romance, Ella’s journey is a deep dive into betrayal, conspiracies, and self-discovery. This book is for anyone who loves twists, suspense, and complex characters in a world where every decision could be her last.

On the flip side, The Summer at Great Western is a delightful adventure aimed at children. It takes readers to the magical world of Great Western, a tea plantation surrounded by forests and hidden wonders. Follow 13-year-old Ro and her big brother Dan as they spend their summer with their Uncle Sam. What starts as a fun trip quickly turns into an exciting treasure hunt, where the kids, along with their cousins, uncover the legend of a hidden treasure near a magical waterfall. Filled with riddles, runaway horses, and family mischief, this story celebrates the joys of summer, teamwork, and unforgettable memories. It’s perfect for young readers who love nature, mystery, and the simple pleasures of family adventures.

Both books were launched together, showcasing my range as a writer—one filled with thrilling, grown-up suspense and the other a heartwarming, magical journey for kids. Whether you’re looking for a gripping espionage thriller or a charming children’s adventure, these stories promise to take you on an unforgettable ride!

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Rohanthi Wijewickrama’s Website

Rohanthi Wijewickrama Facebook Page