Suzanne Woods Fisher and New Books!

The Moonlight School is about a young woman who arrives in Appalachia to help her cousin with a farfetched idea—opening the rural schoolhouses on moonlit nights so illiterate adults (over a third of the county) could learn to read and write. Would anyone come?

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of the historical World War II novel, Night Bird Calling, by Cathy Gohlke, is:

nina4sm@...

Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.

And now let's revisit with novelist Suzanne Woods Fisher, author of the historical novel, The Moonlight School (Revell, February 2021).

Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of The Moonlight School.

What’s so wonderful about this novel is that it’s based on a true story, so even if I tell you the entire plot, it won’t stop you from reading (I hope!). 

I want everyone to know about what happened on September 5, 1911. So here goes the quick version: Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education for Rowan County, Kentucky, had an idea to open the rural schoolhouses on moonlit nights to illiterate adults. She hoped 150 adults would come…and over 1,200 came! Within two years, she had eradicated adult illiteracy in her county.

How terrific!

What is it about your lead character--Lucy Wilson--that will make your readers care about her?

So, in the prior question, I gave you the basic plot. But Cora Wilson Stewart isn’t the lead character, and there’s a reason for that. Every novel needs a love story, and that just wasn’t going to work for Cora. She had been divorced three times (twice to the same man!), and marriage was not her thing. Instead, she threw her passion into her work. 

Thus, I created a fictitious character, Lucy Wilson, who came to Rowan County at Cora’s request. Lucy’s father was Cora’s cousin, and raised his daughter to enjoy a refined, well-educated life in Lexington. Facing the poverty of Appalachia was a shock to Lucy’s system. Little by little, she was able to get past her initial prejudice to discover the beauty of the culture, the traditions, the community. Helping her along in her journey was a handsome stranger with a little mystery, too.

This month I've been asking authors to imagine being contracted to write a novel about a real person. You've essentially done that with this novel.

Yes, Cora Wilson Stewart was such an intriguing woman to me—way ahead of her times. The conventional academic thinking of the day was that adults couldn’t learn to read and write. Once childhood ended, a door snapped shut. Cora accepted that thinking until three encounters changed her mind. She challenged convention…and looked what happened next!

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. The main character created an entire life for himself within a hotel—purpose, community, enrichment--and I think there’s a wonderful lesson about accepting circumstances that all of us need during this global pandemic.

I've heard a lot of people recommending that one, and I see it's going to be a limited series for TV, directed by Peaky Blinders director, Tom Harper. I'll need to read the book beforehand!

What are you working on now?

Just starting a new novel (first in a new series!) about an ice cream shop on Cape Cod. Set during the summer, of course.

Where else can readers find you online?

You can always find me through my website: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and also on Facebook and Instagram.

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Readers, you can access a sample from the novel by going HERE and clicking on Look Inside.

Finally, Suzanne, what question would you like to ask my readers?

I liked your question, Trish, and I’d love to ask readers that same question. What makes a book one they’d recommend?

Thanks for letting me hang out with your readers, Trish! It’s always a pleasure. You’re so generous with authors and readers.

Stay well, stay home, and read!

Thank you, Suzanne, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Suzanne has offered to give away a free copy of her book. To enter, click on the word "comments" below to reach the comments page, and leave your answer and your email in answer to Suzanne's question above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.

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Annoying legal disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE