Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of LAKE EFFECT
From Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone
March 17, 2026 · 51 min
About this episode
Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney discusses her new novel Lake Effect and various aspects of writing with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett.
Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney is the author of the instant New York Times bestselling novels The Nest (named a best book of the year by People, the Washington Post, and NPR) and Good Company (a Read with Jenna selection). She has been a guest on Today, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and NPR’s All Things Considered. Her work has been translated into more than 28 languages, and The Nest is in development as a limited series with AMC Studios. Cynthia holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. She and her husband live in New York City. Her new novel is Lake Effect. Cynthia joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss writing multiple point of view characters, why she based the book in the ‘70s, themes, stucture, naming characters, and more. For more information on Writers on Writing and to become a supporter, visit our Patreon page. For a one-time donation, visit Ko-fi. You can help out the show and indie bookstores by buying books at our bookstore on bookshop.org. It’s stocked with titles by our guest authors, as well as our personal favorites. And on Spotify, you’ll find an album’s worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. It’s perfect for writing. Look for the artist…
People in this episode
Hosts: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, Marrie Stone
Guest: Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Topics covered
- writing
- multiple point of view
- 1970s setting
- character development
- novel themes
Keywords
- Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
- Lake Effect
- writing
- novels
- character development
- 1970s
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AMC Studios, NPR, People, Washington Post
Books & works: LAKE EFFECT, The Nest, Good Company
Places: New York City
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