Although the stories are works of fiction, each tale in Here It Snows in June by Eric Cyr, has a personal tie in. "Any fiction writing has some element of truth for the author in it," says Cyr. "There's something that has to feel real."
From stories about running, hunting, fishing, prom night, and the Minnesota Vikings, Cyr leans into the culture of small towns and that of Minnesota at large. Through the creation of genuine-sounding dialogue, Cyr showcases characters imbedded in regional dialect and state-specific social behaviors.
Along with highlighting the culture, Cyr also found himself focusing on the oftentimes difficult relationship between fathers and sons. "I did not plan that," says Cyr. "The first story was probably written right when I was getting married, right before I had kids... I think a lot of that was a preoccupation on my mind." Some tales of fathers falling short of their paternal duties could be perceived as cautionary tales of what Cyr hopes not to be as a dad.
Here It Snows in June gets its official release later this month. Cyr will be at Wussow's Concert Cafe on June 30th at 6pm for a release event, and at Foxes & Fireflies in Superior, Wisconsin on July 4th from 1-3pm for a reading and book signing. The collection will also be made available at The Bookstore at Fitger's and through the Wiseblood Books website.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
