At AuthorsWiki, we are privileged to have had the opportunity to connect with Shawn P. McCarthy, a Author from United States whose unique voice and creative spirit shine through in their first book, Wreck of the Gossamer. Their book, already making waves across leading platforms, invites readers into a world shaped by imagination, experience, and purpose.
In this conversation, the author opens up about the deeper motivations behind their storytelling, their personal and literary journey, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re a fan of thoughtful writing or someone looking to understand the creative process, this interview promises valuable insight and inspiration.
AuthorsWiki : Do you briefly introduce yourself in your own words?
Shawn P. McCarthy : Yes. I’ve been working in recent years to establish myself as an author who creates New England-focused historical fiction. (While exploring universal themes and human foibles). My new book is called “Local Honey.” I’ve also published a well-received historical fiction series called The Puzzle Box Chronicles.
I’ve been a writer for nearly 40 years, with a master’s degree in education from the George Washington University and a bachelors degree in journalism from Saint Bonaventure University.
I started my writing career as a journalist, and my articles have appeared in The Washington Post, Associated Press, United Press International, and publications produced by The Smithsonian Institution, the National Geographic Society and Time-Life books.
AuthorsWiki : Apart from writing, what is your occupation for livelihood?
Shawn P. McCarthy : Most of my jobs have had some element or research and writing, but outside of newspapers, magazines and books, my work has included serving as a project manager for a large online search engine and being a market research director for a large IT industry consulting firm.
AuthorsWiki : Tell us something about the your first book?
Shawn P. McCarthy : My first two books were nonfiction, focused on engineering and Internet business development. My first novel was “Wreck of the Gossamer.” It was book one of a six-book historical fiction series, called The Puzzle Box Chronicles, set in 1891. As the blurb says: “Victor Marius, a dedicated scientist and budding entrepreneur, disappears in a shipwreck off the coast of Cape Cod in the summer of 1891. But before he is lost beneath the waves he manages to release a customized box that he hopes will protect his legacy.
Amanda Malcom, a young woman enduring a troubled marriage, is about to make a discovery that will lead her on a dangerous odyssey – one that takes her across the country, and into the heart of a rapidly changing America. Along the way, she meets Plains Indians, ex-slaves, riverboat charlatans, and secretive workers who champion the U.S. labor movement.
At a time when electric lighting is spreading across the country like a wave, she also meets inspired engineers and Montana miners who dig deep to feed the country’s insatiable demand for copper. Amanda has survived many things in her short life, but it’s not clear if she will be able to survive the first year of the last decade of the 19th century.”
AuthorsWiki : Would you like to tell us about your published books?
Shawn P. McCarthy : My goal for every book I write is to immerse the reader in a specific time and place, letting them wander the streets of that era, getting to know the good and bad, and seeing a reflection of the present day in the stories of the past. All of my historical fiction books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and select New England bookstores.
AuthorsWiki : Where did you get inspiration for book publishing?
Shawn P. McCarthy : I’m not sure. Books have always been part of my life, and I knew since childhood that I would create my own someday.
AuthorsWiki : How do you manage time to write a book?
Shawn P. McCarthy : You will only find the time if the book becomes a top priority. That means setting daily or weekly goals and carving out time to deliver on those goals.
AuthorsWiki : What is your favorite writing method, in which you do the most writing?
Shawn P. McCarthy : I tend to write in the late afternoon or early evening.
AuthorsWiki : When did you start writing and how did your interest in writing begin?
Shawn P. McCarthy : I was lucky because I knew I wanted to be a writer at a young age. By my early teens I planned to be a novelist, but when it came time to go to college, I was bitten by the journalism bug. I received a degree in journalism and wrote for newspapers for five years. But I remained determined to be a novelist and developed a deep interest in historical fiction. I respected how the stories could take readers to a specific time and place, while also tapping into human emotions that are evocative and timeless. That’s my focus now, and it has served me well for ten books.
AuthorsWiki : Special achievement in your life, which you would like to share with us and your readers too?
Shawn P. McCarthy : Being a dad is always the best answer to this question. And it’s sincere.
AuthorsWiki : Are you planning to write or publish a book in the present or future?
Shawn P. McCarthy : Yes. Local Honey will drop during the third week of June. And I have another book, set in the early to mid 1960s, in development.
AuthorsWiki : Want to give a message to your readers and fans?
Shawn P. McCarthy : One of the great pleasures of being a writer is hitting the right nerve with readers. So I hope I do that, and I always love to hear whether I’ve succeeded.
AuthorsWiki : Every writer has his own Ideal, do you also have an Ideal writer? And your favorite books that you will always want to read?
Shawn P. McCarthy : I read a lot of historical fiction, which is also what I write. I certainly admire the works of Ken Follett, so he probably would be the “ideal.”
AuthorsWiki : Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies, which you like to do in your free time?
Shawn P. McCarthy : I live on a lake in New England, so I love boating, kayaking and being with family
AuthorsWiki : Would you like to remain in the writing world even in future?
Shawn P. McCarthy : I’ll be here. It’s my life’s work. 🙂
How to Buy Author’s Book-
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It was a pleasure speaking with Shawn P. McCarthy, whose journey and reflections offer a meaningful glimpse into the creative life of a writer. We sincerely thank them for sharing their time and wisdom with the AuthorsWiki community.
If you enjoyed this conversation, feel free to explore more about the author’s work through the links above, and don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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