Q&A with Constance Squires

From my Q&A with Constance E. Squires, author of Low April Sun:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

I usually change my titles a lot, often calling a book something different for each draft, and it’s often been the case that stories and even books have had their titles changed close to publication by suggestions from editors. But Low April Sun came to me early and didn’t change. The story takes place in April in two timelines, 1995 and 2015, so the title covers both temporal settings and unifies them. The word “Low” is like hitting a somber note, with low evoking depth—a bottom level—and moral depravity or unfairness—lowlife, low blow. Well, what else was the Oklahoma City Bombing if not a low blow? All of those meanings of Low fit the story, April is the setting, and sun is, well, heat and hope, and that’s there, too, in how the characters pursue their lives. So Low April Sun is a three-word progression from darkness to light.

What’s in a name?

One of the book’s main characters is named August P. I hid a lot of meaning in his name, partly to remind myself what I wanted...[read on]

Visit Constance E. Squires's website.

My Book, The Movie: Low April Sun.

The Page 69 Test: Low April Sun.

Q&A with Constance Squires.

--Marshal Zeringue