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When an Interview Comes Full Circle: Cyndi Brec | S5 EP237: Book Banter

Cyndi Brec on The Therons, Mythology, Dyslexia, and Advice That Made a Difference.

Burckhardt Books logo and two hanging microphones at the top of a purple promotional graphic with the words “Now Streaming Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt Book Talk Podcast” and the Book Banter Productions logo. On the left is a headshot of Jacque Gorelick, next to the cover of her book Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss, & Finding the Way Home. Beside it is the 2025 cover of Book Banter Magazine featuring author Stephen Burckhardt. On the right is host Dianne Burckhardt. At the bottom reads “S5 EP210: Jacque Gorelick, Essayist and Debut Author of Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss, & Finding the Way Home.”



Hello My Happy People,


One of the things I love about interviewing authors is discovering the stories behind their stories, and Cyndi Brec gave me plenty to work with. She describes herself as a storyteller and legend sleuth, writing mythic, mystery-driven YA romantasy filled with mythology, history, archaeology, romance, and some seriously imaginative world-building.


Her Therans Trilogy follows Callie, a young woman who sees fragments of the future and becomes caught up in an archaeological conspiracy while trying to understand her powers. The trilogy moves from Ohio to Italy and Egypt, incorporating Greek mythology and lost civilizations along the way.


One of my favorite parts of our conversation was discovering how much of Cyndi's fantasy world is connected to a very real place. She and her husband were co-owners of the historic Keister Water Mill for more than 20 years, and the 1816 mill became an important setting in her books. Even the Tool Bandit, an ibis-like Egyptian creature appearing throughout the trilogy, was inspired by tools mysteriously disappearing and reappearing while the mill's water wheel was being constructed.


We also talked about Cyndi's writing process and how she manages dyslexia. She calls herself a "pantser by design," using a three-act structure and sticky notes to give herself direction while leaving herself room to follow the story. She has learned what works for her, including knowing when fatigue or stress means it's time to stop and using 45-minute writing sessions to maintain her focus.


But the biggest surprise of the interview had nothing to do with her books.


Cyndi told me she had originally wanted to be interviewed on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt two and a half years ago. She had approached me previously, and I had advised her to create a proper press kit and work on strengthening her author platform. She actually took that advice, did the work, and came back when she felt she was ready.


I had no idea.


And honestly, learning that I had made that kind of difference for her meant the world to me. I have given that same advice to so many new authors over the years, but you rarely get to find out what happens next. Authors have told me they appreciate what I do, and there are several former guests I have stayed in touch with and become friends with, but no one had ever come back years later and said, essentially, "The advice you gave me actually helped."


That hit differently.


I put an enormous amount of time, work, and my husband's money into the podcast and Book Banter Magazine, and there are times when I wonder whether any of it actually makes a difference. I have thought about giving it all up several times, but my husband always talks me out of it. Hearing Cyndi tell me that something I said more than two years ago helped her move forward in her writing career gave me a tangible answer to the question: Am I making a difference for anyone? 


What I'm doing here did make a difference for someone.


UPDATE: And speaking of someone who made and incredible difference for children around the world, I added a tribute to the end of todays podcast to honor Miss Dolly Parton.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Miss Dolly's Imagination Library


Between mythology, historic locations, writing with dyslexia, publishing, and discovering that our conversation actually began more than two years before we finally sat down together, this interview gave me plenty to think about afterward. Listen to my complete conversation with Cyndi Brec to meet the storyteller behind The Therans Trilogy and hear the story in her own words.


Enjoy,

Dianne




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