Welcome to Mary Cunningham, author of Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle

Today, I welcome Mary Cunningham, author of the fun "Cynthia's Attic" children's book series.

In her latest, THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE, book four in the series, Sebastien the Great, a magician whose fiancée, Kathryn, disappears through the magic trunk, vows revenge. If Cynthia and Gus don't find a missing page from the “Book of Spells,” Cynthia’s family could face financial and personal ruin. Follow this time-traveling duo high into the Alps and then 50 years into the future to a shocking discovery.

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Cynthia's Attic: Going to the "Dark Side?"
"Vampires and Werewolves"
By Mary Cunningham

In 2004, fresh off the excitement of my first two-book contract for Cynthia’s Attic, I began establishing an online presence. One of my first tasks was to explore author websites and chat groups. Believe it or not, I didn’t find one blog! Blogging had not reached the manic stage of today, with most bloggers simply writing online journals; but networking sites were hot.

I joined a children’s chat group in order to schmooze with other young reader ("tween") authors and immediately related to one particular author. Both of us had first-time multi-book contracts, the idea for our series’ sprang from recurring dreams, and our stories were fantasy/fiction. A perfect networking match.

We chatted, online, for several months, and then lost touch. I can’t quite remember why, but I’d guess it was because I was in the middle of editing my first book, The Missing Locket (Cynthia's Attic Book One), deadlines approached, and time management was crucial. I’m sure it had nothing to do with Stephenie Meyer’s schedule. Wonder what ever happened to her? I do hope she had some success with her series about…vampires, I think.

Speaking of vampires, I was recently asked why I chose to write books for "tweens" that are lighter; vampire-less, werewolf-less, zombie-less…you get the drift. I can’t really say. It just happened. Cynthia’s Attic does delve into magic and spells and such, but the scariest monster, so far, is Stony, a rock monster who attacks 12-year-old Gus, in an enchanted garden in The Magician’s Castle. Other than that, a nasty, bad-breathed clown, a sinister stranger on horseback and a friendly alligator are as menacing as Cynthia’s Attic gets.
Until book number five.

Yes, I’m crumbling. In the next book (title TBD), a werewolf pops into the lives of best friends, Cynthia and Gus. Not your typical werewolf, mind you…a more congenial, helpful type, but a werewolf to be sure. Stay tuned!