Author Q&A: Andrew Cunningham

Today we’re interviewing Andrew Cunningham, author of the Amazon bestselling thriller Wisdom Spring, the post-apocalyptic Eden Rising trilogy, and the thrillers All Lies and Deadly Shore.

As A.R. Cunningham, he has also written a series of five humorous children’s mysteries in the “Arthur MacArthur” series for middle-readers.

Formerly an interpreter for the deaf and a long-time independent bookseller, he has been a full-time freelance writer and copy editor for the last sixteen years.

SADYE: How did you come to see yourself as a writer, and what inspired you to seek publication?

ANDREW: I’ve wanted to write from childhood.

When I was in my twenties, I took a course on writing for children and started a series of humorous mysteries for middle readers. I wrote five in the series and tried to get them published.

Although no publisher accepted them, I received enough encouragement by the editors at those publishers to let me know I was on the right track. (I have since published them.)

Then, in 2011, I wrote my first novel for adults. Even though I tried some traditional publishers, it wasn’t until I discovered the ebook world that I decided to go for it on my own.

The book (Eden Rising) did so well that when my second novel (Wisdom Spring) was accepted by a traditional publisher, I turned them down. This was too much fun!

SADYE: Which of your characters would you most and least like to trade places with?

ANDREW: I think there is a little bit of me in all my characters — male and female — so I really don’t have to change places with any of them.

My favorite character to write was Scott Harper, the Alaskan brother of the lead character in Wisdom Spring.

Scott was based on my own brother, Scott, who died in 2003. My brother was such an interesting character himself I didn’t need to make up anything when creating the fictional Scott.

His character flowed like no other I have ever had. In fact, I already have that character earmarked for a book of his own.

SADYE: What has been the most surprising, rewarding, and challenging parts of your writing career?

ANDREW: The most surprising part was people actually buying my books!

When I sold my first copy back in 2013, I was so excited, I called up friends and family to tell them.

The most rewarding continues to be emails from readers and positive reader reviews. Knowing that my books bring pleasure to people is what it’s all about.

The most challenging was (and still is) the marketing aspect of being an author.  

When my first book came out, I had no knowledge of how I was going to promote it. Like most authors, I had to learn fast!

SADYE: What message or theme would you like readers to take away from your work?

ANDREW: I just want people to say, “Hey, that was good,” when they finish one of my books.

All of my books have positive endings. I hate being depressed when I finish a book as a reader.

SADYE: What advice, as relates to your writing career, would you give your younger self?

ANDREW: Just keep writing and stay positive!

If I had done that, I might have had dozens of books to publish when the ebook era began. Or, one or more of them of them might have landed with a traditional publisher.

I would often let myself get discouraged at the lack of interest from agents and editors. There is no place for that as a writer.

Just keep honing your skills.

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Learn more about Andrew Cunningham on his website, where his books can also be purchased; like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

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