Interview with Stephanie Cowell, Author of The Boy in the Rain

Stephanie Cowell was born in New York City and has lived in the same old building on the Upper West Side for fifty years. 

As a historical novelist, she is the author of Nicholas Cooke, The Physician of London, The Players: a novel of the young Shakespeare (all from W.W. Norton), Marrying Mozart (Viking Penguin) Claude & Camille: a novel of Monet (Crown Random House) and The Boy in the Rain. She is the recipient of an American Book Award.  Her work has been translated into nine languages. 

Before writing novels, she spent fifteen years as an opera singer and balladeer and an arts administrator, creating a chamber opera company, a singing ensemble, a summer arts series in a New York City midtown park, and a few Renaissance festivals.  Her second home whenever she can get there is England. 

She has two very grown sons (one a filmmaker and the other an IT Engineer), two granddaughters and three cats. 

WEBSITE: http://www.stephaniecowell.com

TWITTER: @StephanieC90430

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/stephanie.cowell.14

INSTAGRAM: cowell.stephanie

Where did you grow up?

New York City 

When did you begin writing?

I began writing about the age of seven. I was an only child then and was alone most of the time, so I told myself stories and made-up friends. I felt the world of A Little Princess and the Pooh poems was the real world, if only I could get there.

 What is this book about? 

In the English countryside 1903, shy art student Robbie falls in love with the socialist speaker Anton who is running from memories of his failed marriage and lost child, beginning a relationship that will never let them go even as they grow and change. But the penalty for love between men is prison if caught and as they struggle to build a life together, the world about them is turning to a darker place. 

What inspired you to write it?

The beginnings were a bit haunted. Many years ago, I was in a country house, walking down steps toward a wooded area, when I saw two opaque men in Edwardian clothing, one slightly older. When I turned around, they were gone. I was quite shaken, and a story began to form in my mind. I told two friends, and they made me a wager to write it down in six weeks. I was a classical singer then. Within a year I had left singing and began to write seriously. The book kept developing, and I worked on it between my several other novels. It took 39 years from conception to publication. It kept changing and enriching as I changed. 

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride? 

It took a long time, so bumpy yes. Editors kept saying it was too difficult to market and bought other books from me instead. During the pandemic, I decided if I only had one more book I could finish in my life, this would be it. Right after finishing, I found a small indie house called Regal House who loved it. 

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book? 

I have several links to buy listed on my website including the publisher, but the easiest way is Amazon.com 

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere? 

Write what’s in your heart and never give up. 

What is up next for you? 

I wrote a successful novel on the young Claude Monet entitled Claude and Camille and I am working on another one about his relationship with his stepdaughter who gave up all her own dreams to support him when he was very old and painting his great water lily panels. 

Is there anything you would like to add? 

Thank you very much for hosting me on your site!