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Cyndi Macmillan
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Cyndi MacMillan lives in a small town in Ontario that is home to North America’s largest working waterwheel. Her writing has appeared in notable Canadian literary journals and local newspapers. 

A Cruel Light is her debut gothic mystery (4/4/2023). She has been a Jill-of-all-trades, but for as long as she can remember, she has dreamt of being a novelist.  Hard work and the wonderful team at Crooked Lane Books have made that dream a reality.  Please note that her husband and daughter kindly keep her coffee mug filled when she is wrestling with a suspenseful chapter.   During a pandemic lockdown, the family adopted a rescue cat who chirps. 

When not writing, Cyndi enjoys reading Gothics, scrapbooking, and losing horribly at board games.  Works-in-progress include the second (and third) Annora Garde Mystery, a Canadian noir series, and a standalone horror mystery, so more often than not, Cyndi is writing.  She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.

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My novel will be published by Crooked Lane Books

Blog Posted by Cyndi Macmillan: 3/21/2022 12:16:00 PM

Hello:

It's been a while.

I hope those who remember me are doing well, staying healthy and breathing a bit more easy as things slowly return to normal. 

I am happy to announce that Crooked Lane Books, an imprint for Penguin Random House, will be publishing my Gothic mystery novel next spring.  

I'm thrilled, excited, and a bit anxious as I shift from aspiring writer to novelist.  This book is the first in a series, and I'm eager to return my focus to sitting at the keyboard, instead of squinting at contracts and trying to figure out platforms.  

I owe a great deal to my amazing and encouraging Beta Readers-- Debbie Guzzi, Francine MacKenzie Roberts and Ruben (former Poetry Soup member)-- for their friendship, suggestions, second set of eyes and encouragement. 

I want to say that both reading and writing poetry helped me to achieve my lifelong dream of publication.  I believe that writing poetry as a fiction writer helped me in same way that ballet helps figure skaters.  Poetry can teach us the power of a single word, how one line can just hit the mark. 

This has been one wild journey for me.  The editororial team at Crooked Lane is wonderful, and I'm learning as I go.

How I describe my novel is 25 words or less:
Jane Eyre meets The Da Vinci Code

I do have a working title of 'Dirty Little Secret,' but that may change.  We shall see.

I'll try to keep in contact more, and share what I can share about the publication process, working with editors and provide quick behind-the-scene glimpses of traditional book publication.  


Cheers to friends old and new,
Cyndi

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/imprints/0L/crooked-lane-books

 



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Date: 4/5/2022 7:24:00 AM
Congratulations! Wonderful dream-come-true achievement, Cyndi! Best wishes ~ Mala
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Date: 4/1/2022 10:14:00 AM
Congratulations! I can imagine the joy you must be feeling to reach this moment~being published in by an international publisher! Kudos~and may you continue to follow your dreams. :)Paulette
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Date: 3/28/2022 7:14:00 AM
Congratulations on a wonderful achievement, Cyndi:)
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Date: 3/27/2022 7:28:00 PM
Truly outstanding Cyndi--wow, what a journey and a reward that proves persistence and pursuit of excellence can pay off! I cannot think of anyone who has been more helpful than you for those willing to listen - kicking and screaming on occasion - but that's what change often requires--BRAVO!
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Date: 3/25/2022 9:27:00 AM
Cyndi, please let me know when your book will be available to purchase and congratulations again ~Constance
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Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 3/25/2022 11:28:00 AM
Will do! I'm not sure when it will be available for preorder -- sometime between Jan and March 2023, I think? I'll let folks know. Thank you for your encouragement and support, Constance. :)
Date: 3/24/2022 5:25:00 PM
Jane Eyre and Da Vinci Code...I look forward to reading your novel...It's wonderful that you have achieved what you pursued and nice to see you back...all the best with the series :)
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Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 3/25/2022 11:29:00 AM
Thank you, Susan. Cheers!
Date: 3/22/2022 8:37:00 AM
Cyndi, big congratulations on having your book published and now you are working on a new book, there is no stopping you in achieving your goals ~Constance
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Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 3/23/2022 2:56:00 PM
Thank you :)
Date: 3/22/2022 4:39:00 AM
Congrats! I rejoice with you for your accomplishment. God bless you.
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Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 3/23/2022 2:56:00 PM
Thank you :)
Date: 3/21/2022 6:08:00 PM
Awesome achievement. Congrats!
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Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 3/23/2022 2:56:00 PM
Thank you :)
Date: 3/21/2022 4:36:00 PM
So very exciting! Sounds like a great book!
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Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 3/23/2022 3:00:00 PM
Aww! Thanks. I had a list of publishers I was going to approach WHEN this one rejected me. The guidelines stated that if writers did not hear back in two weeks, they were not interested. So, I prepared my family and emailed the query. i got a response in 39 minutes. My editor is wonderful and supportive. I feel extremely blessed... and--yes!--I am excited. Cheers
Date: 3/21/2022 12:17:00 PM
Egad. It's been so long I can't remember how to edit this. I need to change the font, for sure! Sorry, Soupers!
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