240: Cynthia Bogard- Author of The History of Silence

This week's interview is with Cynthia Bogard (A History of Silence, Atmosphere Press, March 2023). A former university professor, Cynthia's novel features six contemporary women grappling with issues of racism, misogyny, and societal challenges and she brought not only her background in Women's Studies but also sensitivity readers to vet her story. We discussed how the lack of response from agents shocked her when compared to the academic feedback she was used to, how working with a hybrid press educated her about the publishing business, how bookstores have not proved an effective sales venue, and how being a part of two critique groups has had a profound positive effect not only on her braided novels, but on her own continued development as a creative artist. 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 in Madison, Wisconsin. World traveler, longtime feminist and environmentalist, Greece, mid- 20th 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. To learn more about Cynthia, click here.