What was your favorite picture book as a kid?
The Velveteen Rabbit. It still makes me cry as a “big kid” or adult.

What was the first “real” book (with chapters and without pictures) you remember reading?
Black Beauty. It is still one of my all-time favorite books.

What was your most favorite book in high school?
Jane Eyre, also still one of my favorite books. At the time I thought I was just like Jane – in love with my Catholic school teacher (long story…which I’m writing into my next book, a memoir).

What was your least favorite book in high school?
Anything having to do with math.

What was the last novel you read?
I read a lot of novels as a professional editor so I can’t pick any of those! I believe it was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with my local book club. And A Time for Mercy by John Grisham. I actually got the book at his online book signing during the end of COVID. He answered audience questions including mine: How do you fight ‘writers block’?

To which he said, “I usually never have writers block because each day I start my writing with a question I have to answer” (like, what happened next to my character?) And he gets up first thing and keeps writing until he runs out of steam…and most importantly writes a chapter outline—which is what I teach as necessary for novel writers! All tips I already practice, but just needed to be reminded!

What was the last nonfiction book you read?|
The Bible.

Which book lived up to the hype (from the past 1-2 years)?
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah…my all-time favorite novel, which was recently made into a TV series.  It ripped my heart out…and filled me with gratitude for my faithful husband.

Which book do you love that needs more hype?
The Wise Man (see below, Amazon reviews appreciated!)

Next novel on your TBR (up to three).
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah (I love all her work).
The Exchange by John Grisham. (ditto)

Next nonfiction on your TBR (up to three).
I don’t read much nonfiction, but I love movies, so next on my list is the biography behind the movie Oppenheimer, American Prometheus.

Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.
My newest release is The Wise Man, a contemporary suspense novel based on the story of Solomon by Elk Lake Publishing. Actor Kirk Cameron endorsed it, calling it “A riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines suspense … on one of the most important issues of our lifetime.”

Here’s the story: Finn Mitchell grew up in the shadow of his father, US President Leif Mitchell. But now it’s Finn’s turn to shine as he becomes the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court and takes part in a landmark abortion case that could reverse Roe v. Wade forever.

In addition to his judicial prowess, Finn had accumulated a small fortune, is a brilliant, handsome charmer whom women adore, and owns an exclusive tourist island that houses a wildly successful virtual reality empire.

The only problem? Finn’s life is about to explode. His desire for more is daunting, yet he discovers you can’t always get everything you want—even if you are one of the wisest, wealthiest, most attractive men on earth. And it might be too late for his soul to be saved.

The Wise Man brings to light the question, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I hope any writers reading this will follow their dreams and pursue the purpose God placed on their hearts. If you need any help at all getting your book done, please contact me. I love helping writers become authors through my writing, editing, publishing and marketing services. My next eight-week, live-led course on Zoom, “Your Book Done Right” Master Class, will be Sept. 4-Oct. 23, 2024 in which I teach the writing craft, editing, publishing including traditional, indie and self-publishing, and book marketing and publicity. I also offer personalized book coaching. If you’re interested in working with me or want to meet with me in a free 30-minute discovery call on Zoom, just email me at michele@michelechynoweth.com.

God Bless!

Michele Chynoweth is the bestselling author of five award-winning contemporary suspense novels that re-imagine Old Testament stories from the Bible in an edgy, modern-day way. She loves helping writers become authors and is a sought-after conference speaker, professional editor, book coach, and founder of “Your Book Done Right” Master Class and Elite Coaching. A former news reporter, ad agency owner and marketing director, she lives with her husband in North East, Maryland. Together they have a blended family of five adult children and four grandchildren (so far!).

Michele has won several awards including:

Director’s Choice Award, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (2023)
The Golden Scrolls (AWSA) award for best contemporary fiction (2023)
New Apple Book Award for Best Cross Genre Fiction (2018)
Book Excellence Award for Best Religious Fiction (2018)
Top Shelf Magazine Indie Award for Best Inspirational Fiction
Selah Award for Best Suspense (Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference (2018)
Readers Favorite International Book Awards for Inspirational Fiction (2014, 2016, 2020)
And Michele is a finalist in this year’s Christian Indie Award (CIPA) contest and CAN Marketing Awards contest.

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