Q&A: Fiza Saeed McLynn, Author of ‘The Midnight Carousel’
We chat with author Fiza Saeed McLynn about The Midnight Carousel, which is an enchanting, darkly glittering story of grief, obsession, revenge, and enduring love.
Hi, Fiza! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a British novelist living in London, England with my American husband and two children. My favorite TV show is Westworld, my favorite food is chocolate ice cream, and I love to dance. Before I turned to full-time writing a few years ago, I worked various jobs including accountant, therapist and doggy dayare owner.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
From the time I learned to write, I’d create tiny books out of stapled together scraps of paper and make up little stories. One of my proudest moments back then was being published in the school magazine when I was seven years old.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy World
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Your debut novel, The Midnight Carousel, is out January 13th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Mystery. 1920s. Atmospheric. Romance. Glittering.
What can readers expect?
A genre-defying, wild ride of twists and turns that you won’t see coming.
Where did the inspiration for The Midnight Carousel come from?
It’s a mash up of two main influences. Visiting Orlando’s Disney World as a ten year old, and thinking that I’d stepped into paradise; and noticing the different coping mechanisms for dealing with grief when I was a therapist. I think it gives the story this dreamy, fairytale feel.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved immersing myself in the Jazz Age. It was such a glitzy, fun era of fashion, parties, music and leisure. This is when amusement parks really took off. Understandably, people wanted escapism after the horrors of World War I.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Weaving together the mystery and love story threads was TOUGH. Honestly, my brain hurt sometimes. Whenever I got stuck, I took time out and did something practical, like baking a cake or gardening. Pretty much always, I made a big breakthrough.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Very, very long! I came up with the premise in 2015, but working two jobs gave me very little time to write until the world paused when Covid hit in 2020. It took countless drafts and three years to find an agent. The book sold in the UK first, then there were another three rounds of edits before Park Row bought north American rights in 2025. That makes ten years from start to finish!
What’s next for you?
I’m currently editing my second novel, which is a love story and mystery with touches of magical realism, set mainly in Depression era USA. Publication should be sometime in 2027.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
It’s going to be a great reading year! Topping my list are Amy Tordoff’s All We Have Is Time, Amanda Geard’s The Glass Key, Claire Daverley’s People in Love, Chloe Benjamin’s Under Story, Kate Quinn’s The Astral Library, Julie Owen Moylan’s Elizabeth and Marilyn.
Will you be picking up The Midnight Carousel? Tell us in the comments below!
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