Q & A with Bromley Switzer, Publisher & Author

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

I’ve always been in love with Shakespeare. In my final year of undergraduate life, I studied abroad in England where the English department was affiliated with the Shakespeare Institute & classes were taught by fellows of the institute. Between studying there, visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon, and going to see plays at the Globe Theatre, I feel like I’ve had the full Shakespeare experience.

What is the first book that made you cry?

Beautiful Joe by Margaret Marshal Saunders - I read it as a child & felt so much empathy for this poor animal. I definitely gravitated to animal stories growing up (and still do)!

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I think it’s a delicate balance of both being original and delivering what the reader wants. As the author, you obviously have all the power in how the story progresses, but I think you need to consider the reader as well.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have a multitude of half-finished stories & ideas. My hope is that I can expand and craft them into something more complete & readable. It just takes time and effort :)

What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success has nothing to do with accolades, but more with being able to sustain myself with writing alone.

Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?

I see writing as more like therapy than a spiritual endeavour. Getting stories & ideas onto paper allows me the distance to review & reconsider them with more objectivity.

How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?

I’m still a part-time writer :)

What is your favorite childhood book?

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I read the series multiple times growing up and was generally obsessed with horses. But the first book had so much in it - a shipwreck, loneliness & connection, adventure & redemption!