Author Interview: Cynthia Echterling author of Scavengers

About your book: Scavengers What does it mean to be human? It is one thing for anthropologist, Thomas Martin, to study the savages who live in the ruins, eating rats, garbage and their own dead. It is quite another to become one of them and survive. Scavengers is a post-apocalyptic story of devastation and rebirth.Free Book Reviews What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?Cynthia Echterling When I tell people what the book is about, many expect it to be horror. It has cannibals in it, right? But readers are suprised by how well developed the characters are, how I take you inside their heads and how sympathetic they, the reader, becomes toward the very realistic people in this novel.Free Book Reviews Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?Cynthia Echterling The first person to read this book was my brother. He would come home from work and right away start reading. when I asked him about it, he said it made him hungry. I was shocked. He said especially the part about hunting ducks and pigeons. My brother was an invaluable resource on hunting, survival skills and how to fight dirty.Free Book Reviews Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?Cynthia Echterling Anthropology is a long term interest of mine. One thing I found interesting: In the book, certain peoples have been designated by the government as sub-human. Since they were discovered, Neanderthals too, were usually considered a less evolved species. In the past year, genetics research has shown that most of us carry Neanderthal genes and, since then, reporting has upgraded them to intelligent with any skills previously thought beyond their capabilities. It seems to parallel what I wrote years ago.Free Book Reviews What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?Cynthia Echterling To read it, of course! but seriously folks, I hope beyond being exciting, I hope they say it was thought provoking and I hope the ending gives them happy tears.Free Book Reviews Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?Cynthia Echterling What does it mean to be human, and what does it mean to be humane?Free Book Reviews How can readers help you promote this book?Cynthia Echterling Spread the word and if you purchase it on Amazon or Smashwords, come back and rate or review it. I also appreciate personal commnets emailed to me.Also visit my website and check out my other books and videos at http://www.welikehumans.comAbout You: Cynthia Echterling I live in Indiana, but have also lived in Georgia where this story takes place. My training is in experimental psychology and I am an Army veteran. I am also an artist and dabble in animation and voice over. And! I'm one of those crazy writers who live alone with just a cat.Free Book Reviews Why do you write?Cynthia Echterling One of the cool things about being a writer is that you get to sit around staring off into space and call it working!Free Book Reviews What is your greatest strength as a writer?Cynthia Echterling I'm told I'm odd. Don't know if that's a strength, but it is a characteristic of my work. I'm also told my characters are well developed and my dialogue is realistic.Free Book Reviews What quality do you most value in yourself?Cynthia Echterling There are only hints of it in this particular book (comic relief) but I'm usually pretty funny! I'm also very nice person, though shy at times.Free Book Reviews In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?Cynthia Echterling As I said, I'm also an artist and I love drawing my characters to get to know them. I'm also terminally curious and love learning new stuff.Free Book Reviews What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?Cynthia Echterling Knowing that there are people who I have helped make their lives better.Free Book Reviews Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?Cynthia Echterling I just started reading Flight of the Sorcerress by Barry Wildorf. It's an historical novel about the last librarian at the Library of Alexandria and a woman who is a healer during the fall of Rome. I know he did a LOT of research but he incorporates it so well into the story, it doesn't feel like research.Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to Cynthia Echterling's Website or find her book at the following: Amazon Barnes and Noble Smashwords Sony