Category Archives: Interview

Who Saved Who Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of Roslyn Cohn’s “Who Saved Who” Book Tour…. this is definitely a book for all dog lovers and I know many of my readers are definitely dog mad!

BOOK SUMMARY

Growing up in beautiful Bohemian 1970s Marin County, the daughter of a funny pawnbroker-jeweler with vision who knew the streets and a warm, independent Mom turned Naturalist-Animal Rights Activist, Roz is an award-winning actress who spent 20 years in NYC, where she worked on stages from the size of a postage stamp to Broadway. 

Roz begins Who Saved Who with her unique parents and upbringing which is so crucial in understanding both her and her journey during 2022. While living in a post-Pandemic world, her career on hold and with politics and the environment in a persistent state of toxic tension, there was little left of life to be desired, so believed Marin County raised and NYC ripened Roz.  Told through words, pictures, and video, “Who Saved Who” is an honest, sometimes funny, many times moving, and ultimately joyous journey of 2022 with a woman who was lost. With messages from the Other Side and the words that her Mother said to her years ago, “We save dogs, Roz, that’s what we do,” Roz was able to climb out of deep sadness and found a purpose ignited she didn’t know was flickering inside.

In “Who Saved Who,” readers may recognize their own journey in loving dogs – perhaps heal themselves from the loss of their own beloved furry family member – and best of all, readers may find their hearts open to saving their next canine companion. “Who Saved Who” does more than warm the heart, it can help heal the spirit. It’s an easy and fulfilling read – paws down.

ISBN-13: 979-8865682363

ASIN: B0CNWZ3LYW

Print Length: 157 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hi everyone reading this interview and thank you for taking the time to do so! I’m Roslyn “Roz” Cohn, the author of Who Saved Who.

Hi Roz 👋 Who or what inspired you to write your memoir “Who Saved Who”?

I use Facebook as a journal in many ways. The book goes into the incredibly difficult journey I began in 2022 and as I wrote, I was gaining more and more comments about how moved people were. By the time the magical thing happened to me, there were over 400 literally watching in real time the videos and photos I was posting as this experience unfolded. Those readers begged me to write the book in order to help those who have gone through the losses as I did. I really doubted whether I had a purpose any longer in this life and maybe my time here was coming to an end – and then my journey took off in a way no crystal ball could ever have predicted. It’s a very uplifting story in the end.

Your book highlighted the joy and love encountered when you have dogs in your life; as well as the importance of animal rescue. What advice would you give to someone considering caring for dogs from a rescue centre? 

Great question. Be sure you are ready for the responsibility of being a dog parent. They need to be walked, fed throughout the day, given play to stay engaged and healthy and most importantly, they require affection. Make sure you have the finances to afford veterinary bills but a word on that. There are incredible organizations like The Amanda Foundation which help people out in case one is experiencing financial hardship. It is far better to save a dog’s life if one even has a small apartment and limited funds for a big vet emergency rather than let them be killed. There are 500 dogs killed daily in the Los Angeles Animal Services system so these beautiful beings are far better off in a home with someone who is willing to simply walk, feed and love them. The joy you get in return far outweighs any of the responsibility and occasional vet bills. Also be sure to get pet insurance because you will need it. I find it to be more fair than my own personal insurance!

Maui & 8 pup pups with Grammy Roz

I loved reading the tales about the gorgeous dogs that shared your life, past and present, especially Maui, Kona and the pups.  What is the best thing about loving dogs ? Is there a downside? 

Oh, thank you so much Linda! They make life WONDERFUL. Nature is spiritual so having a dog, one of nature’s most amazing beings, is being surrounded by positive, loving, smart, fun and funny spirit 24/7. The downside is the searing pain you experience when they are suffering or have reached their end of life. My dad always said to me, “Loving a dog would be my greatest joy and deepest sorrow.” It is so true. But I find that now I understand there really is The Other Side, that the pain of them crossing over will be horrible but I know in time we will be re-united. That helps. Some may think that’s bonkers and that’s fair. I know it’s not. When one reads the book, they will find out exactly why I am so certain about this.

Your mum was a naturalist and an animal rights activist- how much of your relationship with dogs was shaped by your upbringing? Do you think children benefit, in general, from being around dogs (or other pets)? 

Such fantastic questions! I love you use the term “mum.” Are you British? I love the Brits and the UK. My mom’s paternal side was from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. My upbringing completely shaped my relationship with dogs. There was one reviewer who gave me a scathing “review” because this person doesn’t believe one should treat dogs with the same amount of affection as a human. They felt I was doing a disservice to dogs in how I love them and treat them on equal ground. All I can say about that person is that they are NOT anyone I would ever want to know. I feel horrible for the dogs in their life because they deserve better. Dogs, like all living beings, thrive with affection and consideration. My mom told me the story that when she and my dad got one of their early dogs – not even sure if she meant Brandy who is in the book – Mom wanted the dog sleeping with them but my dad didn’t want that. My mom said, “Then you’re sleeping on the floor.” The dog slept with them from then on out. It actually was my dad who was sometimes more googoo gaga about our dogs than Mom in how demonstrative he was in his affection for them. Dad could never bear it when we had to help one of our dogs cross over. He couldn’t face it because he loved them so deeply. 

Both Maui and Kona were very skittish when I got them – clearly they were abused – and now Maui is no longer terrified of other people. Kona is still very distrustful but he has blossomed with me and he is slowly opening up to some people I am able to bring over. I know I could push him and “force” him to encounter more people, but if it stresses him out, I really don’t want to push him too much. This is their Sanctuary and I treat them with the sacred respect here that they deserve. My folks taught me they are worthy of as much love as one would give one’s child. There is no difference. I am grateful to have grown up in a home where dogs were so cherished.

Kids definitely benefit being around dogs. This is where you truly learn to love. People can be so complicated and prone to mood swings be they a child or adult. That’s humans. Dogs are pure love. All they want to do is love us. They teach you to be able to live in the moment, be enthralled in the simplest things like a bird flying above and really using one’s senses to get the full experience. They teach us to receive love and return it. They teach us to be kind and compassionate. They are Divine. I truly mean that.

Kona, Maui & the puppies

Oh yes Roz, I’m English! 😊…. I was brought up with cats – I have 3 at home – well 2 really now as my tomcat Leo has taken a fancy to my neighbour and decided to live with her!!! But my parent’s friends had  gorgeous Red Setters and my in laws have a red setter and an Irish setter  – both I adore. Do you have a breed or two that you are particularly drawn to? 

Cats are a hoot! I had one for a time in NYC, Smooch was his name, but when my boyfriend and I broke up, he took our cat as I was traveling out of town to do theatre. Then I had a roommate for about a year in NYC and she had 2 cats, Luna and Tommy. Luna was “catty” but Tommy was a love and he would snuggle with me all the time. I adored him!!

Setters are Gorgeous dogs!!! Oh boy!!! Each dogs is so beautiful. Well, I will say that all Cohn dogs are good looking regardless of the breed. We had Dalmations as a kid and now I wouldn’t get a purebred as they have a lot of health issues. Fluke was part Dalmation and part English Pointer. He was Stunning as readers will see and had the best attributes of both breeds. I do love Australian Sheperds/Queensland Heelers like Niki and Kona in the book. And now I’m in love with Cattle dogs which Maui is. And then there was Diva, a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix, my most meaningful girl of all time because she was first my Mom’s and then mine for 11 years!!! And, oh, I can’t choose as each of our dogs have left such an imprint on my heart and soul. We’ve also had Duchess the Boxer, Keisha our gorgeous Flat Coat Retriever, Blue – he was a stunner – was some kind of Aussie I believe, Betsy was a Rottie-Shepherd adorable girl, Maxferd was a handsome Border Collie mix, all so gorgeous and unique. So, I really can’t say which breed is my favorite. Dogs are a slice of heaven on earth.

Growing up, did you always want a career in acting, writing, with animals or did you have completely different career aspirations? 

I had this overwhelming need to be an actress from the time I was very young. I have a neurological condition, Essential Tremors, that became a source of great shame for me since 2ndgrade when I was mocked. It’s in the book. I never told my parents so I never got the counseling to come to terms what this disorder is. So, by the time I was 9, I was writing desperate letters to God, “Please God, I HAVE to be a successful actress. I HAVE TO ACT. Please let me not be nervous. Please let me be able to successful. It’s really sad to know a 9 year old – me – would cry myself to sleep because I was so worried these tremors would destroy my career. 9 years old!!! Then I wanted to be a Ballerina in addition and worked very hard. But I have a rare skin condition where my top layer of skin doesn’t bond with the one underneath on my hands and feet. It’s gotten much better through the years but when I was about 3-4, it was very, very bad when it was hot outside. When I told my dad I wanted to be a ballerina, he told me I couldn’t because of my blisters. He had to carry me as a 3 to 5 year old child because my feet were so raw. But he made me walk even still, no matter how it hurt. That was a great lesson because he taught me that no matter how hard something is, you still have the ability to “walk through it.” No matter how hard. And then he would pick me up when it got too painful. But I am stubborn and I did train very hard in ballet and when I was on pointe for a year, my feet would bleed. I still did it. I have super tight hips so I knew I wouldn’t ultimately be able to do ballet and that’s when I wanted to become a Broadway Female version of the great Ben Vereen. I hung up my  toe shoes as I was entering 9th grade and trained very intensely in Broadway jazz dance. If you don’t know who Ben is, Youtube his name and he will blow you away!!!!

My mom always told me I was a writer and I have no idea how she knew that but I guess I do have ability in that department. The few things I’ve written for myself as an actress have been very well received. It really is so important to me that people read this book so I can help bring awareness about shelter dogs and why it’s so important to adopt them. Or even volunteer at a shelter.  Life with a dog is, paws down, the most honest and pure of relationships in life. I don’t have childrenso they are my furry kids.I

Maui & Kona

Is “Who Saved Who” available to purchase worldwide?

It’s only available on Amazon. I have a niece who lives in Portugal and she has this thing called a VPN which enables those living overseas to purchase digital Amazon books. I’m not sure how it works but that’s how she was able to read it.

I do love animals, but I am wary of cows! Not particularly sure why! Are there any animals you have a fear of or a bit wary of?  

OMG! That’s hilarious!!! Aren’t we humans so funny with our phobias? I can no longer drive freeways, they scare me so terribly. Hhhhmmmm, do I have any fear of animals? Well, I have no desire to hold a snake but they are fascinating. And I don’t want to be anywhere near a poisonous spider like a black widow or a tarantula. I am scared to scuba dive because I think I would have a heart attack if I was near a shark or barracuda. I am terrified of sharks but I would never eat shark fin soup as I think that’s evil to waste their lives like that. I cannot understand how someone thinks it’s “fun” to swi in a cage with a Great White shark. No thank you!!!! It’s funny. A good friend of my Dad’s was this well respected stuntman, Ted Grossman. Ted was Ryan O’Neill’s stunt double in What’s Up Doc, et al. He was the guy in Jaws 1 who dies in the estuary. It took me until I was in my 20s to see Ted in that film because Great Whites freak me out so badly. I’m a lap swimmer and when that movie came out, just the poster gave me terrible fears a Great White would be able to come through our pool drain. So dumb but it made me learn to swim faster!

Maui & Kona

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I live in those leggings with pockets. I adore them!!! And if I had the space and funds, I think I would want to be able to own at least 20 different styles of boots. I LOVE boots!!! Always have!!! When I was a little girl with these blisters in sweltering Marin, I would be dressed in black tights and black go-go style boots, regardless of the blisters. I really was like Wednesday in The Addams Family in my mind back then. I also love good tennis shoes because I’m a walker and active. I can’t stand not moving. Makes me crazy as I have a ton of energy and still the dancer mentality of staying slim. Being fit is super important to longevity and working on stage. It takes stamina to do that and working in Film/TV is very demanding on stamina as you have very long days.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

My dad was the shopper. He loved to take me shopping because he was overweight and I guess I looked good in clothes. He used to call me “high pockets” because my legs are long. So he would take me clothes shopping and have me buy whatever he felt was flattering. He had great taste. I miss shopping with Dad because he made it so fun. I’m like my mom. She hated shopping. I get so frustrated trying on all those clothes without my Dad’s or someone else’s eye – but I do love the customer service at Nordstroms. Macy’s is more my speed in variety but they aren’t managed very well and it’s murder trying to find someone to help you!

Diva, Fluke & Roz playing tug

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I have been looking for a pair of boots to replace these Donald Pliner one’s I got years ago at It’s A Wrap. That’s a showbiz re-sale shop and I have worn his fabulous black fabric, silver metal tipped knee high boots for years. I got them for $50 at least 20 years ago and have worn them to pretty much shreds at this point. To buy them new, they are quite expensive – too expensive for me and I haven’t found them in any stores to even consider trying on a pair. The cloth is now coming off of my pair and I can’t really wear them any longer. I have very thin calves and his fabric boots are perfect for me. By any chance, do you have any sources for those?!!!! I have been looking!!!! I also need to get to Express and check out their current Editor pants. I typically have a pair in my closet but don’t have any now. Your question has spurred me on to get over to Express))

Boots or Shoes? 

Boots!!! My first goal was to be a go-go dancer in a cage. No joke. I think I was 5 years old. I love go-go style boots!!! So sexy)))

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

My Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/rozcohn

Website: www.RoslynCohn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roslyncohn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rozcohn

BOOK TOUR DATES

My thanks to Roslyn for inviting me onto her book tour; for agreeing to be interviewed; for a copy of her lovely book for reviewing. All photographs have been published with kind permission of Roslyn Cohn. Header picture is of me with my in law’s Red Setter, Reid 😊

Share This!
Pin It

Author Interview: Kelsie Stoker

I recently read “Silenda” by Kelsie Stoker – it’s a young ( and not so young as it turns out!) adult fantasy novel by 22 year old debut Scottish author, Kelsie Stoker. This story is set in an alternative universe but explores human reactions over life after death. It is a young adult book and yet I found the book interesting, the storyline entertaining and thought provoking. and wow, what a powerful debut! I would certainly recommend the book to those not so young adult readers too! After reading the book, I couldn’t wait to chat to Kelsie about the inspiration behind her novel. But first, here’s a quick book summary…..

BOOK SUMMARY

Silenda’ is told from the perspective of two alternating narrators. Horatio Young is an introverted bystander to his own life, afraid of his own agency, but afraid of feeling ‘static’. When he is thrust into a life-threatening situation, he must act. Carson Whitmoore doesn’t know a lot about herself. In fact, she knows hardly anything at all. Carson wakes up in an empty apartment with no memory of how she got there. She must retrieve her lost memories and expose the source that took them. 

Horatio and Carson are forced to navigate a world split in two – the Umbras who believe in eternal nothingness beyond the grave, and the Luxies who believe in an unending afterlife. 

When terror strikes the city and political tensions rise, Horatio’s powerful uncle recruits him as an insider to exploit Umbra secrets, but Horatio and his friends uncover something far more sinister – an underground organisation named Silenda who will go to dangerous lengths to uncover the ultimate truth; what really happens when we die?  

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Kelsie and welcome to the blog 👋

Hi ! My name is Kelsie Stoker and I am a 22-year-old fiction writer from Glasgow. I’m a passionate feminist and a lover of the arts! I adore fashion – I think the body is a canvas and that self-expression really extends our influence and gives life meaning. In ten years’ time, I’d like to see myself in some big-shot New York apartment clutching a glass of red wine, but for now I can be found listening to Hall and Oates and cuddling my mini poodle. ‘Silenda’ is my debut novel and I think a lot of my personality shines through in it – I’d say I’m like a hybrid of Astrid and Horatio!

“Silenda” is your debut novel – a young adult fantasy story set in an alternative universe.  It is a politically aware book exploring aspects of religious diversity, sexual orientation, labelling, life after death and how society rejects the “grey” areas of life. Who or what inspired you to write “Silenda”?

When I was fourteen, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I think having that sort of diagnosis at such a young age very much accelerated my existential thinking – it was the first time I became very aware of my own mortality. I was brought up in an atheist family, so I’d never really had a relationship with God, but after my diagnosis, I had a lot of questions for the guy – if he existed, why would he do this to me? So, for me, it’s a struggle to believe in any divinity, but I found myself envious of those who could. I’ve always felt my emotions very intensely so trying to find somewhere to direct my faith was an intense personal struggle. I’m a very empathetic person, so it’s always been very important to me to respect and try to understand people from different walks of life. Having a committed relationship with God is something I can’t really relate to, so understanding it really matters to me. 

I’m a lover of people – I think we are all just so complex and fascinating. We are all made from the same material but we are moulded and transformed in such different ways. We aren’t born with a purpose, the universe doesn’t seem to have prescribed us one, so we spend our whole lives trying to find one. For me, embracing the ‘grey area’, means not exhausting ourselves trying to belong to anything or conform to the confinements of something because we think we’re supposed to. Fluidity is so important, to learn to just be, and if whatever you are doesn’t have a name, that’s okay! Our language is a system that is supposed to cater to us, not the other way around.  

You are a young adult yourself – so are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who were the hardest characters to portray?

I think I realise now, having written the novel, just how much my characters are an amalgamation of people I know. When I was writing it, I didn’t consciously mould a character to fit any particular person. I’m not really a planner in any aspect of my life, and the same applies to my writing. I let the characters make their own decisions based on what I learn about them as the story goes on. I think we write what we know whether we realise it or not – or we write interpretations of things we don’t know – which just end up being reliant on the things we do know! It’s all very subconscious but influence from people I know is definitely in there. When I was writing for Horatio, I was writing pretty much as myself, I think. His existential thinking, his struggle with his bisexuality and his fear of being static, is definitely straight from my own brain! With Carson’s perspective, I definitely felt that I was trying to channel someone other than myself. If I was in her position, I’d probably just cry. In regard to my other characters, the only other influence that is obvious to me, is Hayden’s dark and snappy sense of humour – that’s definitely my sister, Nikki!

Were there any aspects of writing your novel that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected ? 

I definitely wanted to write a story that I would love to read – so the story came easy to me, which was lovely. It’s packed full of things that I care about so it was a very cathartic process. However, because it’s a very politically aware novel, I definitely felt under pressure to do it well. There’s always the fear of being branded ‘too woke’, but I wrote things the way I see them, and the way I believe them – it’s my version of the truth, so it’s all I can really do! I wanted to make some sort of point about straight, white, cis men in power, but I tried to make that apparent without having any of my characters say anything outright about it. I wanted to make it clear that the diverse, colourful and fluid group of young people at the centre of the story, were not being represented by their leadership. 

I also tried very hard to simplify complex issues and use ‘umbrella’ terms for religious / spiritual and non-religious groups. I really did not want to imply that I was writing about any particular faith, because that is not the case, and would go against the whole point of the story!

Hypothetically speaking, if “Silenda” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying the characters, especially Horatio and Carson? 

Seeing ‘Silenda’ on the big screen is a dream! I think Sadie Sink would be a great fit for Carson. I imagine Carson to be petite with red hair. I think Sadie Sink would be great at embodying Carson’s innocent look paired with her fiery ambition. Coincidentally, I met my boyfriend, Sean Munro, after the novel had already been written and he looks eerily like how I imagined Horatio…he’s also an actor so has helped me with promotional content. 

As for my other characters, it’s hard for me to cast them because they are so original in my head. Although I think a young blonde Evan Peters would have made a great Hayden!

Although “Silenda” is based in an alternative universe, is your fictional town/urban area inspired by any city/town/area in the “real” world?  If so, what was it about this place or places that ignited your imagination and got the creative juices flowing? 

Yes! The Rowleys is entirely influenced by the Gorbals, a historical part of Glasgow that has been infamous for its social problems; poverty, deprivation, and gang violence. Especially in the 1920s and 1930’s, the Gorbals were a very undesirable place to live, although many did due to overcrowding. The Gorbals became pretty synonymous with the working-class, and possibly even the marginalised. In 1954, the legend of ‘the Gorbals vampire’ was born, with the story spreading among school children that a 7-foot-tall vampire with iron teeth was on the loose! This legend inspired ‘the Rowleys vampire’, a story terrorising a derived part of the city.

West Town is a bit of an amalgamation, with the landscape inspire by the mountainous beauty of Glen Coe and Bellumside village inspire by the architecture of Edinburgh Old Town. I love my country so there is a lot of Scottish influence, but The Urb is a very futuristic city, channelling aspects of Tokyo. I think it’s crazy that in the post-modern world, such contrasting architecture can exist in such close proximity to each other.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I am a bookworm! Reading stories that excited me as a child definitely inspired me to write. I used to read a lot more than I do now because I’m always thinking about what I could write next, but when I can find the time, it’s so relaxing. I love fantasy novels and grew up reading a lot of YA fiction, but I love Gothic Horror, especially the classics, i.e. Shirley Jackson, Mary Shelly, Henry James…

The first YA book series I became really invested in was The Hunger Games, it’s still a favourite!

I 100% prefer a book, I think the smell of a good book is part of the reading experience!

 Is “Silenda” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! It can be purchased on Amazon, via the Waterstones website, Palavro.org, Arkbound.com and Blackwell’s online!

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I love a chunky boot! Pairing something very girly and soft with 70s boots is something I love to do. I also love a fur coat – faux of course! I think my style is very feminine – I love pink, leopard print and sparkles – it borders on mob-wife sometimes. I’m always trying to channel Barbie as well…I love how experimental she is.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I visited Vienna in December and stumbled across a store called ‘Glitzerwelten’. It was fabulous! Lots of faux fur, glitter and lots and lots of pink. I bought a gorgeous baby-pink fur wrap while I was there – I put it straight on! I’d love to go back.

As for online, I love shopping on Vinted – I think it’s very important to promote sustainable fashion. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’d really love some sundresses this summer – something quite elegant and classy. Maybe florals? Something that makes me look picnic-ready at all times! Maybe I could pair it with a thatched sunhat – that would be super cute.

Boots or Shoes?

Boots, definitely! I just adore chunky boots. I’m also 5’11 so a little platform empathises my height and makes me feel very confident. I love being tall!

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Read my blog here: www.kelsiestokermode.com

Instagram: @kelsiestoker/insta

X: @KCStoker_Author / twitter

TikTok: @kelsiestoker/ tiktok

Fabulous chatting to you, Kelsie and congratulations on a fantastic debut book. Thanks also for the copy of Silenda for reviewing.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Kelsie Stoker

Share This!
Pin It

Disrupted Book Tour

Book tour time! I’m so pleased to be part of author B.Lynn Goodwin’s book tour promoting her excellent young adult book, “Disrupted”. “Disrupted” is Lynn’s 5th book and it tackles social issues, earthquake trauma, homelessness, grief, missing persons and a touch of young love in the mix. Phew! Upon reviewing the book, I found that Disrupted tackled themes head on in a relatable way, the characters and their mannerisms were believable and it was certainly a pleasant read to boot. Before I interview Lynn, here’s a quick book summary to whet your appetite:

BOOK SUMMARY

The San Ramos High students are busy rehearsing their performance of Our Town when the school and the surrounding towns are rocked by a 7.1 earthquake. As a series of unusual aftershocks disrupt the town further, their school is deemed unsafe, and the show is postponed indefinitely unless they can find a way to turn that bad luck around. Dealing with their own personal difficulties and led by the stage manager, Sandee, who is working her way through the loss of her brother, they attempt to bring the community together, make the performance a success, and do their share to raise funds to rebuild. Both the show and life must go on!

Publisher: Olympia Publishers

ISBN-10: 1804393487

ISBN-13: 978-1804393482

ASIN: B0CTKPM735

Print Length: 238 pages

THE INTERVIEW

Welcome to the blog! Please introduce yourself😊

Hello 👋 Here’s the bio I usually send out: 

B. Lynn Goodwin wrote two award-winning books, a YA called Talent, and a memoir titled Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62. Her newest book,Disrupted, came out on January 25th, 2024 She’s written author interviews, book reviews and article for WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com since 1997 and writes for other sites as well. 

She also teaches, runs a Writing Extravaganza, and reviews books at Story Circle Network. She’s on the boards of Story Circle Network and the Women’s National Book Association—NorCal and judges writing contests. She edits every genre except poetry and loves helping writers improve. She lives east of Berkeley and west of the San Joaquin Valley with her husband and their lively Maltese.

Who or what inspired you to write “Disrupted”?

Good question. I wrote about Sandee Mason in “Talent”, and many people wanted to know more, so I thought about her life at fictitious San Ramos High School and how her world changed when her brother died. Then I started on “what ifs.” 

What if an earthquake disrupted rehearsal?

What if it closed down the school?

What if an earthquake cracked kitchen walls and took buildings off their foundations?

How would Sandee react if she was in the aftermath of an emotional earthquake?

I had great fun recreating her world and adding a boy who hangs out at Starbucks an awful lot.

Disrupted ” is a YA story set in California. The characters are a mix of High School students and their families – all struggling to cope in various ways following an earthquake. I had a fondest for the main character, Sandee. Her determination to bring her community together whilst coping with her grieving parents (plus her own grief), her budding romantic feelings, her concern for her close friends and her steadfast attitude to get Theatre show performance back on track is certainly admirable. She made me giggle at times too! Did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life?

As you know, memory distorts. I’m not sure if Sandee is a combination of the high school students I once directed in Our Town, the show Sandee is working on, or she’s a student I wanted to work with. Or both. I know teens love having friends and trying on new roles, and they did a lot of that in my drama classes. Maybe it spilled over.

Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?

I almost feel like a parent here, because I’m not sure I have any favorites. I like Sandee, of course, but I am proud of the way Nicole copes, and Jenn reminds me of airheads I’ve taught, and I feel for Diego, who’s afraid of his emotions, and Pete, who’s deliberately detached and putting on a show of his own.

Which character was the hardest?

 Until this moment I hadn’t thought of that. Sorry, but I have no answer.

What do you enjoy most about writing novels for young adults?

Technology may have changed the world but adolescent insecurities, needs, and aspirations haven’t changed much. I enjoy writing about their struggles and growth.

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future novel in, where would you go and why?

You’re getting my brain churning here. I’d love to see the islands of Hawaii as those who grew up there see them. I’d love to experience the native residents’ views of tourists. I suppose this desire came from my work with an author who grew up in Hawaii and is working on her life story.

Are you a bookworm?

Certainly. Also a book hoarder.

What is your favourite genre and/or authors?

My favorite is also the book I’m reading at the moment. I’m sent lots of books for review, and I love women’s fiction, psychological thrillers, and realistic YA. I sometimes like books about people in politics and the state of the world. I like watching others solve problems.

Kindle or actual book? 

I like switching off between Kindle and actual books. I can adjust the print size in a Kindle or a PDF, but sometimes I want to sit in the sun, hold a book, and read in the old school way.

Is “Disrupted” available to purchase worldwide?

Probably. Certainly anyone can purchase either the print book or the e-book from Amazon,Disrupted- Goodwin, B Lynn- 9781804393482- Amazon.com- Books.

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

That would be a good subject for a memoir. I wanted to be a teacher, and I’ve taught English and drama in high school and college. I also did a stint teaching adult literacy through CCCLib.org. At the same time I was taking care of my mother and discovering the importance of journaling for perspective. For a long time writing was on the back burner. Then it became a refuge. You can learn more at https://writeradvice.com/about/.

I have an interest in Earthquakes although I have only experienced a small tremor but I did go on an earthquake simulator in Florida once that was supposed to replicate a strong 7.5 earthquake and that was pretty scary! Living in California, what is your own experience and did you discover any facts that you weren’t aware of when researching for your book?

I’ll never forget the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, which shook us all up. The World Series had just started and since the Oakland A’s were playing the San Francisco Giants it was in the Bay Area. The TV went black, the hanging lamp over the dining room swung and I raced to get under a door frame. So it was a sliding glass door with an aluminum frame. I didn’t stay there because a lamp I’d inherited from my father was about to crash and I didn’t want it to break. Crazy times. At least our condo stayed on its foundation.

Apparently there was an earthquake this morning not far from Berkeley. Based on the Facebook posts, I suspect it extended up into Vallejo. We never felt it here though. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

My sister is the fashionista. Right now I’m dressed in comfortable black pants, an embroidered, long sleeved, salmon tee, and a jacket that goes with a different shirt. I have socks on but no shoes. Even though I dress casually and simply, I admire fashion and sometimes window shop on websites. My favorite top is a green sweater with a low V neck that makes me look thin. I’ve been known to dress up for readings and workshops.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

My mother used to shop at I. Magnin’s and later Nordstrom’s, but that was long ago. I still have some of the classic clothes from those stores, but these days I’m just as likely to go to Chico’s or maybe J. Jill or Macy’s.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’ve worn out the arch supports on my walking shoes again, and I need to replace those asap. I’d like to try Naot’s again. I realize you haven’t met my feet, but they’re quite a challenge. I have plenty of clothes, but several pairs of pants have gotten quite loose, and while that’s a good thing, I’d like a really comfortable slip on pair suitable for spring and summer.

Boots or Shoes?

When I was 18 and going to college in Poughkeepsie, NY, I went searching for boots. The pair I found wouldn’t zip over my calves, and the clerk assured me that no one made anything wider. So boots were for skinny people. Slenderellas. People who didn’t look like me. I didn’t know then how many of us were facing the same problem and that there were stores where we could get fitted. I used to love nice shoes. Now I’m grateful for shoes that I can walk in.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

https://www.writeradvice.com

X – @Lgood67334

https://www.facebook.com/blynn.goodwin

https://www.facebook.com/writeradvice

https://www.instagram.com/blynngoodwin

BOOK TOUR DATES

Great chatting to you Lynn. Thank you for the review copy of Disrupted.
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of B Lynn Goodwin.

Share This!
Pin It

Author Interview: João Cerqueira

This week I am so pleased to be able to welcome onto the blog the internationally published Portuguese author, João Cerqueira. João is author of 9 books and has been published in 8 countries. His latest novel, “Perestroika”, is a political/historical novel that was originally published in Portuguese in 2023 and was published in English in January 2024. Although it is a fictional novel, set in a fictional country, it is based on insights and incidents that occurred in the communist era of Eastern Europe during the 1970s/1980s. Here’s a quick book summary:

BOOK SUMMARY

The story opens in 1978 and introduces the citizens of Slavia (a fictitious Eastern European country). Among them is Ludwig Kirchner, an artist who is struggling to survive in concentration camps whilst the terrifying elites of the regime live in luxury and moral depravity.

However, for the citizens of Slavia, everything changes in the late-1980s, with the advent of Perestroika. In the revolutionary turmoil that follows, former crime boss Ivan Fiorov leads the newly formed “Freedom Party”, heralding a wave of insecurity and oppression that resembles the previous dictatorship.

INTERVIEW

Welcome to the blog, João…. please, introduce yourself 😊

Hello. I am João. I was born and live in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. I completed a PhD in Art History at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Porto. I teach at the Escola Superior de Educação de Viana. I have written nine books, published in eight countries and I have won five literary prizes in the United States and one prize in Italy.

My childhood was spent in the countryside and on the beach, so I have always had a very close relationship with nature. Despite shooting birds and killing mice as a child, today I am a defender of nature and its creatures. I live on a farm where I grows fruit trees and vegetables with my wife and our daughter. I can’t have dinner without drinking wine, and I love champagne.

Who or what inspired you to write “Perestroika”?

The novel “Perestroika” results from the profound impact of the images of the fall of the Berlin Wall and people demanding freedom in the streets of communist countries. In addition to bringing freedom to half of the Europeans, Gorbachev’s Perestroika ended the Cold War and the threat of nuclear war. However, oddly enough, the topic was forgotten. To my knowledge, there is no film, TV series, or novel—except mine—that addresses one of the most important changes of the 20th century.

Furthermore, I visited Cuba three times and saw with my own eyes how a communist country works: there is no freedom of expression, there are no free elections, there are no human rights, and anyone who protests is arrested.

Additionally, some characters in the book are taken from European history: 

The painter Ludwig Kirchner, Lia Kirchner’s father, was inspired by the German expressionist painter of the same name, whose works Hitler considered Degenerate Art.

The People’s Commissar for Culture, Zut Zdanov, was inspired by the Stalinist leader Andrei Zhdanov, responsible for culture in the USSR, who defended socialist realism in art and banned modernism.

President Alfred Ionescu was inspired by the playwright Eugène Ionesco, creator of the theatre of the absurd – which brings us back to the absurdity of communist regimes.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Perestroika” and I particularly enjoyed how you portrayed the characters of Lia Kirchner, Helena Yava, Silvia Lenka  & Ivan Fiorov. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

I tried to ensure that no character was one-dimensional: good or bad. They are people of flesh and blood with qualities and defects who are forced to change their behavior due to Perestroika.

That said, my favourite characters are the Commissar for Education Helena Yava because she understands that she served a dictatorial regime and tries to redeem herself; and, of course, the main character, Lia Kirchner, the girl trained by the communist regime, who will become its main opponent.

Researching for your novel must have been quite interesting..… did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected? 

I consulted a wide range of books, including the works of Anne Applebaum Gulag and Iron Curtain, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s The First Circle and The Gulag Archipelago, Victor Kravchenko’s I Choose Freedom, Arthur Koestler’s Darkness at Noon, and others.

The horrors of communist regimes didn’t surprise me. What surprised me was that the party members, as they rose through the ranks, began to live more and more like capitalists. The communist leaders were authentic bourgeois.

The novel is based in fictional country of Slavia – although reading the novel I could  visualise the images of the news reports on TV that I remembered seeing in the 1970s/1980s of Communist Eastern Europe. What were your reasons for picking a fictitious location for the novel?  

Perestroika could have taken place in the Soviet Union, Poland or another communist country. But that would impose limitations on my creativity. In order to be able to write the story I had in my head, it was necessary to create an imaginary country: Slavia.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

My love of books was instilled by my father, who bequeathed me a library with over a thousand books. I looked at those books and dreamed of doing something similar. I thought those writers were the most important people in the world. I wanted to be like them. 

In this library I discovered the classics of world literature. Among the reference books, I discovered, as a spiritual guide and instruction manual for the winding road of life, Erasmus of Rotterdam’s “In praise of Folly.”This is why humor is so important in my writing.



Is “Perestroika” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, Perestroika is on Amazon and in the main online bookstores.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why? 

When I travel around the world, I always discover something that ends up in my books. More than the places, it’s the people who inspire me. On a tropical island or at the North Pole, human beings can show solidarity or fight each other.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I only read paper books. My favorite writers are Marcel Proust, Pär Largerkvist, Mikhail Bulgakov, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Phillip Roth, Paul Auster, W. G. Sebald, Italo Calvino, Henrique Vila-Matas,, José Saramago and Lobo Antunes.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I try to keep up with fashion and dress well. I like to combine classic and modern styles. As for shoes, I like Timberland and Fred Perry trainers.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Those that are on sale, with low prices.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I need to buy a brown blazer for spring and light blue shirts.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perestroika-Jo%C3%A3o-Cerqueira-ebook/dp/B0CP1B88PX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=INHATTANHBXU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aGY-KmHxpNGUgtIvG7Ovlw.fLTp-LrL2LDB5PMVFeopalbyTiNTZao8_SIUORkQ9Do&dib_tag=se&keywords=perestroika+an+eye+for+an+eye%2C+a+tooth+for+a+tooth&qid=1708537943&s=books&sprefix=perestroi%2Cstripbooks%2C141&sr=1-1

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perestroika-Eye-Tooth/dp/1926716779/ref=monarch_sidesheet

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202719173-perestroika

Author page: www.joaocerqueira.com

Thanks so much for chatting with me today João – “Perestroika” brought back memories of TV news and my travels in the 1980s! I loved the book, so thank you very much for my review copy.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with kind permission of João Cerqueira.

Share This!
Pin It

Mercy And Grace Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of the “Mercy and Grace” book tour, introducing a very emotional and well written story by author Anoop Judge.

My thoughts? This is a whirlwind of a story – the raw love of two young people from different religious backgrounds whose lives are torn apart; an “orphan” born out of love who discovers her back story in an unusual way; a mother reunited with her daughter; cultural differences, lives behind closed doors…. and things are not always what they seem. And an abundance of love in its many disguises. Can you tell that I loved the book?

BOOK SUMMARY

At twenty-one years old, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. With few prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from a stranger named Sonia Shah, in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddings and event company. Jia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigates an unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. 

It’s Gia’s first real job: her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan, and her first romance, with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might be too good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of a terrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gia now calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragic past she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learn to forgive.

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (September 19, 2023)

ISBN-10: 1662509219

ISBN-13: 978-1662509216

ASIN: B0BQNBFVBR

Print Length: 283 pages

THE INTERVIEW

Welcome to the blog, Anoop! 😊

Hello! I am Anoop. Born and raised in New Delhi, I now reside in California. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Saint Mary’s College of California and am the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award, and the 2023 Alumni Scholarship. I am the author of four novels: “The Rummy Club”, which won the 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, “The Awakening of Meena Rawat” an excerpt of which was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize, “No Ordinary Thursday,” and “Mercy and Grace”. You may also recognize me from the show Gems of Ruby Hill, a reality-TV series streaming on @watchcpics showcasing my life as an author and writer. I call myself a recovering litigator: I practiced in state and federal courts for many years before I  replaced legal briefs with fictional tales. I am an Instructor at Stanford University’s Stanford Continuing Studies.

Who or what inspired you to write “Mercy and Grace”?

I was inspired to write “Mercy and Grace”, because the India that exists now is very different from the one I grew up in. Over the years, the religious right in India has used hate propaganda to push the country away from its inclusive, secular founding vision as envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi.  Hinduism used to be a very liberal and tolerant religion, but India’s current prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has created a distinct fascist ideology dubbed “Hinduvata” to distinguish it from Hinduism. “The movement does not demand a theocratic state or any explicit embrace of Hinduism as the state religion. Hindutva is a national-cultural rather than a religious category, seen as synonymous with the idea of India. Indians of other faiths, including Muslims, should therefore have no trouble accepting Hindutva, according to the Sangh Parivar. If they choose not to, they must be traitors to the nation.” (Ref: https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-rise-of-hindu-nationalism/) I have watched the growing trend of extreme loathing backed by physical violence against Muslims and Christians with fear in my heart. I am not a Muslim myself, but I am a Sikh, a minority religion derivative of Hinduism. I witnessed firsthand how fundamentalist group leaders coordinated and led frenzied mob attacks against innocent Sikh citizens when Prime Minister Indra Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh security guard who acted solely of his own volition. In spite of the divisive political administration in the last White House election, I do not exaggerate when I say that I feel safer in the United States than I do in India. So, I wanted to write a novel about how the giving and taking of religious offense against minorities affects innocent people, ordinary people who have no stake in politics but are only trying to live their small lives.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Mercy And Grace ” and I particularly enjoyed the characters of Gia Kumari, Sonia Shah and Adi. Which character did you particularly enjoy writing about? Which character was the hardest to portray?

That would probably be Sonia Shah, because of how the religious upheaval in her life and her past, causes her to become a very different woman from the one she initially was.

Researching for your novel must have been quite interesting…for example, the wedding event business,  the Hindu/Moslem relationships, the orphanage, the Indian communities in California … although you were born & raised in India  and now reside in California, did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected? 

What a good question! My sister-in-law is a wedding coordinator of some note in the Los Angeles Indian community, so I do have quite a bit of insight into that business. I was legal counsel and president for 13 years of a 501 C(3) organization that provides financial support to more than 4000 orphan, destitute, or otherwise disadvantaged children via partner organizations in India. Therefore, I had firsthand knowledge of how orphanages in India operate.In writing this book what did surprise me was how frenzied mobs of Hindu fundamentalists hell-bent on Muslim blood resort to pulling down the underwear of Muslim men to see if they are circumcised or not as a way of determining if they are of Muslim faith or not.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I was raised in a middle-class family in New Delhi, India, where education was key, fresh pomfret fish for dinner was a treat, and budget-conscious holidays in hill stations defined our summers. As a young girl, I was expected to apply myself at college, get a job that would allow me to be financially self-reliant, get married, and have kids—in that order. Given this worldview, “writing” was a bourgeois activity, encouraged by my mom, an avid fan of Reader’s Digest and Harlequin romances. My mom loved stories, and she made up endless tales on the fly—Ravan, the demon who was afraid of cake, the fairy who couldn’t find her magic, the princess who was forced to marry the tyrannical prince and was rescued just in time by the pauper she loved. She gave me those things, and that’s how I survived adolescence. My command over the English language made me appear smarter than I was—growing up in post-colonial Delhi, where your zip code and what your Dad did for a living was all that mattered, the only way for a young woman to stand out was her chutzpah and her ability to flaunt her knowledge of big, blocky English words.  Soon, I had a prolific output. At age eleven, my mother made my brother, and I compete in a war of words—we had to write an essay about an out-of-town family wedding we’d attended—and, from the way my mom’s dark eyes shone as she read my offering, I knew I’d scored. In my teens, I spilled my hormonal angst over pages and pages of a daily journal that began with the salutation, “Dear, Diary.” One summer, I did an internship at a leading advertising agency as a copywriter, coming up with pithy slogans and jingles. After high school, when I enrolled in Hindu College at Delhi University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, no one in my family was surprised. But, convention dictated that I procure a practical degree that would result in a paying job. This catapulted me into law school after graduation. Writing remained my first love, though—while pursuing my legal studies, I wrote a column for ‘Mid-day,’ a weekly newspaper, titled ‘University Beat’, and I was a correspondent for All India Radio, submitting weekly news stories that were read aloud on air. While in my second year at law school, I was approached by a publishing house (Twenty-Twenty Media) to write a Dummies—style book for recent college graduates on the legal profession titled “Law: What’s It All About and How to Get in.”  When a mess of typewritten pages—loosely bound by a haldi-stained pink ribbon—of dozens of interviews with notable legal experts in New Delhi became a published book of 92 pages, I couldn’t get over the shock of it. It was an eye-opening experience to see how good editing and an attractive book cover could transform my word vomit into a brilliantly-structured, polished work. I knew then that when I had the time, I would write books that appealed me to as a reader—fiction that wove imaginary worlds and left me spellbound with the magic of it. When I met and married my husband and immigrated to the United States, I continued to pursue my legal studies, acquiring both a JD and an Esq. at the end of my name. Writing legal briefs that would persuade judges opened my critical eye and taught me how to turn a good phrase. When I left law practice and stayed home to raise my kids, I began writing in earnest. Ten years ago, my dream came true with the launch of my first novel ‘The Rummy Club’ (Daggerhorn Publishing; 2014) that gave voice through my story to the East-Indian diaspora in the context of 21st century America. In the last ten years, I’ve continued to learn the craft of fiction and write stories that have been published in many literary journals  The themes of recreating identity, immigration, changing roles of women, and racial conflict deeply resonate with me and inspire me to write. I am passionate about applying these themes to my background and the traditions I grew up with, as well as the new traditions I have co-created with my first-generation children while living in America. I’m fortunate that I have a literary agent who believes in my stories, and although the publishing industry is fickle—my fifth novel narrating the story of two estranged sisters based on colorism—-didn’t receive much traction from acquiring editors forcing me to shelve it, I continue to write. As Anne Frank said, “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” (Excerpted from Anoop Judge’s Nov 1, 2020 blog post.) 


 Is “Mercy And Grace ” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, they are. Thanks to the power and reach of Amazon.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why? 

If I could visit any place in the world to be inspired to write my next novel, it would be South Africa. I found South Africa so different from every other place I have visited, with its safaris where you can watch the Big Five predators in their natural environment, and the country’s rich culture as manifested in its food and traditions.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

Yes I am. The genre I like to read the most is what I write in which is book club fiction, also called upmarket fiction: a combination of commercial and literary fiction. It has universal and relevant teams everyone can connect to, and a hyper-focused plot but doesn’t necessarily end in doom, gloom and suffering. I always loved the feel of an actual book with pages, and never thought I would convert to Kindle, but my techie son who is an engineer got me started on Kindle. Now, I can’t give it up because it’s just so darn convenient. I’m always reading a book and it’s the first thing I turn to when I’m standing in a long queue, or I’m feeling bored.

Apart from being an author, you have appeared in the US TV reality series, Gems of Ruby.  Did you enjoy being in a TV reality show? Was it nerve racking? 

I enjoyed shooting the reality TV series, in part, because it was with friends I knew well; women who I consider my best friends and who would keep safe from any dark secrets I didn’t want exposed, haha. It was nerve-racking, only in the sense because we didn’t know what would finally come out of the editing room and how we would be portrayed on screen. It’s also crazy how addictive being on screen can be— the cringe-worthy aspect of seeing yourself on screen goes away very quickly when people begin to recognize you, and talk to you about the scenes they’ve seen you in.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m not a very casual person, so you won’t find me lounging around in sweats, except when I attend my Pilates classes. Usually you’ll find me in jeans with bright-colored blouses, and tailored jackets or in a dress if I’m going out.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I mix-and-match high-and-low, so you’ll find me shopping both at Nordstrom and at Shein. It’s what catches my eye. I don’t like to break the bank on outifits because I’m trendy, and enjoy being a seasonal shopper.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

A white faux fur jacket.

Boots or Shoes?

Boots because they instantly make you look polished. I always like to be well turned-out when I’m going out because looking good instills a confidence in me, and makes me feel strong.

Links you would like to share:

BOOK SUMMARY

Thank you Anoop for inviting me onto your book tour, for a review copy of the brilliant “Mercy And Grace” book and for agreeing to be interviewed.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Anoop Judge.

Share This!
Pin It

An Interview With The Butterfly Collection

March 1st – the official first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, so what better to celebrate the changing of the season than a post about butterflies? Rakha Singh is the London artist behind The Butterfly Collection, who has developed a photographic technique to produce ultra high resolution images of butterflies and moths with detail so fine that you can actually see the individual scales and fine hairs. I caught up with Rakha to find out more about his love of photographing these beautiful creatures. Welcome to the blog, Rakha…

Hello, I am Rakha. I am an artist based in London, England and have developed a photographic technique to produce Ultra High Resolution images of Butterflies and Moths, at  100cm x 100cm. I believe, a Butterfly is one of the most beautiful of all insects, conjuring up images of sunshine, the warmth and colour of flowery meadows, and summer gardens teaming with life.  We are charmed by their gorgeous colours and very delicate wings.

What inspired your interest in butterflies and moths to develop the photographic technique to capture their gorgeousness?

To be able to see these beautiful creatures at such a scale adds another dimension to how we see the world around us.  These staggeringly beautiful creatures, in amazing colours, are stunning never-seen-before images on this scale. Printed onto Canson Baryta Photographique 310 gsm archival paper, gives the image a unique ‘painting’ like effect. 

What makes your photographic technique different from other butterfly prints?

It’s the quality and scale at 100cm x 100cm – I wanted to unleash the beauty of the butterfly kingdom with our Ultra High Resolution Butterfly and Moth Collection. Our specially developed photographic technique captures intricate details, allowing you to see individual scales, cells, and fine hairs with astonishing clarity. These stunning images showcase the incredible colours and patterns of these delicate creatures like never before.

You have captured some lovely images of butterflies I have never come across before. I particularly like the Yellow Jezebel Butterfly.  What is currently the most popular butterfly/moth image?

Monarch. It’s the world’s most famous kind of butterfly.

What’s your favourite butterfly/moth image?

Sunset Moth, Chrysiridia Ripheus – Madagascar

Where do you find these specimens to be photographed?  

The specimens photographed all came from licensed butterfly farms and died naturally.

When deciding which butterfly/moth to add to your collection, do you choose those that are available, most colourful/interesting, customer requests, your personal choice or all of those options? 

All of these options

As you are based in London, are your images available to purchase & ship worldwide?

 Yes we ship all over the world and can provide exact and bespoke dimensions.

Boots or Shoes?

Boots – My feet feel secure and I walk a lot

For Pinning Later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about The Butterfly Collection

www.thebutterflycollection.co.uk

Lovely to chat to you Rakha, the images are certainly stunning.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Rakha Singh (The Butterfly Collection)

Share This!
Pin It

Analyzing The Prescotts Book Tour

This week I’m so pleased to be part of author Dawn Reno Langley’s “Analyzing The Prescotts” Book Tour. This is the first time I’ve encountered a book in the LGBTQ+ literary fiction genre and it was extremely impressive reading – the very dramatic storyline drew me in and as each member of the Prescotts unravelled their views to their therapist, my opinions changed and then I realised I was getting caught up in the private life of Cotton Barnes, the therapist too. It was definitely a hard book to put down …. And I couldn’t wait to chat to Dawn about her reasons for choosing this storyline in our interview, but first here’s a quick summary of “Analyzing The Prescotts”….

BOOK SUMMARY

Cotton Barnes, a Raleigh, NC, therapist, leveled by a client’s recent suicide, is struggling to resume her practice when she begins working with the Prescotts, a family fractured when the father comes out as transgender and begins transitioning. They relate their stories in their chosen voices, each family member’s narrative in a different format. Journals, social media, and other nontraditional narratives challenge Dr. Barnes’ therapeutic skills. While each member of the Prescotts dodge land mines behind the closed doors of her therapy office, the Raleigh, North Carolina area is rocked by a series of LGBTQ+ hate crimes. As Cotton finds herself stalking the family, worried that she might not be able to “save them,” her husband slips away, and Cotton is forced to make a decision that will determine whether she saves her own marriage or the Prescotts.

Publisher: Black Rose Publishing

Print length: 308 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hi Dawn and a big warm welcome to the blog 😊 Please introduce yourself to the readers …I

Hello, I’m Dawn Reno Langley. I’m a writer who has worked in every genre except screenplays (because I just like writing about everything!). Though I’m originally from the Boston area, I live in North Carolina with my scientist husband and my twelve-year-old Schichon, Izzy. I love traveling and am about to go on a new adventure — to Chile! 

Who or what inspired you to write “Analyzing The Prescotts”?

During the dissertation process for my PhD, I studied transgender authors and what they wrote both pre- and post-transition. Their works were fascinating to me for many different reasons, and the story about the Prescotts was inspired by their memoirs.

I really enjoyed reading your book, “Analyzing ThePrescotts ” and I particularly enjoyed the characters of Cotton, Hailey, & Janis.  I had sympathy for Gray too. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

I’m so glad you enjoyed the story! That means a lot to me. I spend years with these characters, so when I release a book, it’s like sending my children into the world. 

I love all my characters, but I love Hailey and the kids most in this book. They are the ones who respond with love, while Gray is incredibly screwed up, and Cotton needs more time to recover from her breakdown before she takes on helping others. 

Cotton was the most difficult to portray, because she had to be professional yet skewed. She’s not a person really capable of helping the Prescotts, and she knows that her breaking points are affecting her ability to be an effective therapist. In essence, she’s not a bad therapist, but the Prescotts challenge her, and she probably shouldn’t be treating them. Ultimately, they teach her what it means to be a family, and I believe she is changed for the better, even though her own life falls apart.

Hypothetically speaking, if “Analyzing The Prescotts “ was made into a film, who would you consider to be great actors to play the roles of Cotton, Gray, Hailey, Janis, Marcus, Cherylynn & Cotton’s husband ? 

Wow, that’s a tough question. Hmm, I really think Meg Ryan would be a great choice for Cotton, because she has the ability to be both fragile and strong when portraying females caught in tough situations. For Gray, I think Lizzy Caplan might be a good choice. She has the ability to play a serious woman with a scary side. Hailey has to be Renee Zelwegger. She has proven to be a tour de force when taking on tough characters, and I think she’d be perfect for Hailey. As for Janis, Millie Bobby Brown can be tough and tortured, the way Janis is, and I think she’d bring an edge to the role that few others could manage.  Ella Anderson is perfect for Cherylynn. Ella has an innocent, happy face, as well as the depth to show the myriad emotions the middle child endures. Marcus could be played by Asher Morrissette, who has starred in soap operas and has a full range of facial emotions. Finally, I always imagined Thomas as Ethan Hawke–handsome, slim, and intense. That was a fun exercise!

The novel is based in North Carolina. What made you pick that location for the novel?

I live in North Carolina and know the area well. The place where Cotton lives is only minutes away from a house I used to own, the therapist’s office is based on one that I have visited, the Prescotts’ house is one I passed every day on my way to work, and the Raleigh/Durham area has experienced the type of gender bashing that I describe in the novel.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I’ve been a writer since the age of 9 when my first article was published, but I never really thought I could make a living at this profession. I always wanted to be a flight attendant so I could travel. (And even though I’m not a flight attendant, I have travelled extensively, so that dream has been fulfilled). It wasn’t until I was in college and became editor of the newspaper that I realized all I wanted to do was write–and I’ve done so ever since.

Is “Analyzing The Prescotts ” available to purchase worldwide?

By the way, whether the book is available worldwide, we just released the audio book, and the book is now available in the US,  Canada, the UK, and Australia.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why? 

I’d love to visit Uzbekistan, because it’s a mysterious, fascinating place that is not “over-touristed.” I’m not sure what kind of story I’d place there, but visiting the country would be inspiration enough for many stories, I believe.

I’d also like to revisit Kenya to get more information for a follow-up story to my novel, The Mourning Parade. I have an outline already started for a new book, but it’s waiting until I finish editing a trilogy that’s set here in the U.S.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

Oh, yes! I’ve spent my whole life with piles of books around me. When I was a child, I read every book in my little local library before graduating to the “big” library where I devoured biographies, books on traveling, and novels. Now, I read mostly literary novels (Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Cunningham, and Abraham Verghese are some of my favorite authors), but I also love fantasies, and I’d count books like Station Eleven, Night Circus, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane among my favorites. 

I love a physical book, but I have a Kindle because I do a lot of traveling and books are heavy!

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m a writer, so sweats are my go-to. I also teach yoga, so I wear lots of leggings and sweatshirts. However, I do like to get dressed up and for the launch party for Analyzing the Prescotts, I wore a winter white outfit — crepe pants, turtleneck top, and below-the-knee duster coat. My favorite colors are black or white, so that’s what I usually wear. (I could use some fashion advice :-)).

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Sundance clothing is one of my fav online shops. It’s owned by Robert Redford and features a lot of casual, funky clothing that I’d love to wear.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’d love a pair of nice hiking shoes for the times when my husband and I are traveling. We walk/hike everywhere! 

Boots or Shoes?

I love boots in the winter, but usually wear Sperry’s in the summer.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

www.dawnrenolangley.net

Facebook: @dawnrenolangley

TikTok: @proflangley    

Insta: @proflangley  

Pinterest: @proflangley   

BOOK TOUR DATES

Such a pleasure to have you on the blog, Dawn. Thank you for inviting me onto your book tour and thank you for a copy of your book “Analyzing The Prescotts “ for reviewing … a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading so 10/10 for me 😊

All photographs have been published with kind permission of Dawn Reno Langley, apart from the clock header photo which was taken by me.

Linda x

Share This!
Pin It

An Interview With Laura See London

This week shoe designer Laura See is under the blog spotlight. Laura has loved shoes from a young age and with her brand, she has focused on injecting colour and art into the shoes she has designed. Her footwear is not only stylish but her brand had an “Honourable Mention” in the 2021 Global Footwear Awards for Sustainability. That’s something definitely to be proud of 😊 Welcome to the blog, Laura ….

Hello. I am Laura See and the Founder of a women’s luxury, unique shoe brand, Laura See London. Although I am based in London our shoes are hand made in Italy. Our shoes are made for fun, fearless and positive women who appreciate fun designs matched with incredible quality and comfort.  All Laura See shoes feature a splash of my own artwork which gets printed onto the leather and a pretty gold Hummingbird – the brand’s motif – on the sole.

Who inspired you to become a shoe designer?

I have always had a passion and love for shoes, fashion and art and I had reached a stage in my construction career where I was not really creatively fulfilled. So I decided to apply for a short course in Italy, studying shoe design. I wanted to create something with my art that could be unique.

Have you always had an interest in fashion/shoe design or did you have other career plans whilst growing up?

Yes! Initially I wanted to be a fashion journalist, but then found a love for interiors and started working for a design and build construction company. My role was not overly creative – so something was always missing – but it did teach me about working with people, how to communicate and how to work well under pressure, to tight deadlines. But my interest in fashion has always been there.

I love the Hillstar10 design -especially in khaki and teal (love both colours!) ! What designs/colours are most popular at the moment? Have you got a favourite design?

People are going for colours that transcend across the seasons – so my Stellula 85 in steely grey patent is one of the most popular designs as they can be worn day or night throughout the seasons. They are so beautiful and can be dressed up and down plus really support the foot for those not so confident in heels- as they have a double ankle strap and blocketto heel. They are one of my favourites – as well as the ESMERALDA 105 in gold!

So, when you are designing shoes and colours to add to your collection, do you go for popular trends, customer requests, personal favourites or a mixture of all 3?

It is a mixture although a lot of the time it depends on the artwork as that often dictates which colours will make the artwork pop. But I also choose colours based on seasonless collections and what I think will look striking on most women. Gold always features in my collections….

The Hummingbird is the emblem of your brand, your shoes are named after them and they feature on the sole of every shoe.  Why did you choose the Hummingbird as your brand emblem?  

Because it represents beauty, freedom and determination. The smallest of all birds yet mighty and the only one that can fly backwards – so, also unique. It sits looking pretty on every sole and is visible when walking.

As you are based in the UK, are your items available to purchase overseas?

I am based in the UK and the shoes are available to buy online via the website, Laura See London. We do ship overseas. UK delivery is within 2 days but it takes longer for delivery anywhere outside the UK.

Congratulations on your “Honourable mention” in the 2021 Global Footwear Awards for Sustainability. You also have a zero plastics policy. How does your brand strive to ensure sustainability?

We never real exotic skins, only amazing imitations. I always try to choose leather that already exists in stock so as to not produce more leather. We only create small quantities to reduce our manufacturing impact. Also our shoes are made to last, investment pieces so won’t end up in landfill. The packaging we use is eco-friendly and supplied from a company that supports the Noissue “plant a tree programme”.

Hypothetically speaking, if you could pick any woman (dead or alive) to represent the “Face” of your brand, who would you pick and why?

I would pick Emma Stone. She is very cool, versatile and genuine. I could see her in a sharp suit with some gorgeously coloured Laura See London shoes.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing

Stellula, Esmeralda and Rufous. They suit most occasions and outfits and come in gorgeous colours.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own)

I love REISS AND ALL SAINTS but I also love Kat Maconie and Aquazzura

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I want to create a collection focused on texture and blurring the lines with masculine and feminine dressing.

Boots or Shoes?

This depends, I do love boots but I also like shoes that can be worn with chunky socks/tights and jeans and can dress up or down any look.

Photography: www.themakers.co.uk For Pinning Later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Laura See London

Website :  www.lauraseelondon.com

Instagram: @lauraseelondon

Thank you Laura for introducing your delightful shoes to us!

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Laura See.

Share This!
Pin It

Author Interview: Joan Lewis

In the 1970s in Britain, a disproportionate number of immigrant children were put into E.S.N (educationally subnormal) schools, considering them subnormal regardless of who they were or what they could achieve. This particularly affected the children of the Windrush generation who were from the Caribbean islands and had moved to England. “Because You Were There” is a powerful novel by author Joan Lewis is about the treatment of the Windrush immigrants. Although it is a work of fiction, the facts behind the story are very true. And Joan Lewis should know – in the early 1970s she was a young teacher at an E.S.N school in Bath. I caught up with Joan to find out more about her novel and her teaching career…. but first, here’s a quick book summary.

BOOK SUMMARY

A stirring and compelling novel about the scandalous treatment of Windrush immigrants. In the 1960s and ‘70s a disproportionate number of black children who came to Britain were sent to special schools for so called educationally subnormal (E.S.N.)  children whatever their talents, starting their life in Britain at a disadvantage because of their race. This introduction to racism would haunt them throughout their lives.

The failure to encourage one particularly talented child, Tina, is seen through the eyes of Felicity, her special needs teacher who would have liked to help but didn’t. Fifty years later Felicity returns to the same town and realises that Tina has suffered from discrimination throughout her life, and her family too. Is it possible to make amends, or even to say sorry?

A book about belonging. Tina left Jamaica, where she was loved and valued, for a country that treats her like dirt. In spite of all this, she feels a strong attachment to Britain. Felicity, who was born British, is alienated and feels that Britain no longer represents her values.

Tina, a bright and rebellious ten-year-old from Jamaica, leaves her homeland in 1968 to join her mother in Britain. But instead of receiving a warm welcome, Tina is forced to attend an ESN school, where she is treated as inferior due to her Jamaican heritage. Eventually, in desperation, she writes a cry for help in the form of a poem, giving it to the one teacher she trusts. But her teacher, Felicity, ignores her hidden plea, though as the years go by she remains haunted by the memory of the vulnerable teenager.

Fifty years later, Tina and Felicity cross paths again, and as Felicity grows closer to Tina’s family, she is drawn into a racist hate campaign conducted by her neighbours against Tina’s daughter. Can Felicity ever make amends for all that Tina and her family have suffered?

MY INTERVIEW

Hello Joan and welcome… please introduce yourself….

Hello. I’m Joan. I suppose my adult life can be divided into two parts: pre-France and post France. I was a teacher and primary school headteacher in the U.K. for thirty years. During that time we brought up two sons, first of all on our small holding in West Wales where we had a much loved Jersey cow called Mildred, as well as sheep, geese and chickens. We then moved to Marlborough, in Wiltshire. I loved teaching, but sadly, the job has been made overly stressful. I’m not sure I’d choose that career path again, although I very much miss the inspiration of young children. We now live in the middle of a national forest, in a stunning part of Southern France. We had to work hard to establish a living from two gîtes, but it has been enormous fun, and we have made some lasting friendships. We now have more leisure, and enjoy spending time on our boat. I have always loved to write, and at long last I now have time to do so. ‘Because You Were There ‘is my first published novel. There will be more!

“Because You Were There” is your powerful novel – a fictional story based on very true facts, about the treatment of Windrush immigrants in Britain.   What inspired you to write a novel in the first place? Why this particular subject?

When I taught in Bath, I was young and impressionable. I have so many memories from that time. It was exciting to live and work in a beautiful Georgian city. Also the children with their special needs made such a mark on me, and I  remember  every single pupil with affection.  They were all so much more than their ‘handicaps.’ One particular pupil did not have special needs. Like a lot of pupils from the Caribbean at that time, she was wrongly categorised, and removed from her neighbourhood friends. She wrote a poem for me…just imagine! It was a cry for help. But I did nothing about it. This has haunted me ever since. Recently, I was shocked to learn about the Windrush scandal, when bona fide British immigrants from the Caribbean were cruelly threatened with deportation. Could that have happened to my ex pupil? This inspired me to write a story, so that everyone could see how wrongfully we have treated this group of people throughout their lives.  It is pure fiction, but it is based on real events.

Who were the hardest characters to portray?

Perhaps the hardest character to portray was my arch villain ‘The Colonel.’  Although in real life, most of my fellow teachers at the special school were very kind, one teacher was particularly harsh towards these vulnerable children. He was also very misogynistic towards me. Obviously ‘The Colonel’ is purely fictional and much exaggerated, but I do think that I created this character in order to wreak my revenge.

Were there any aspects of writing your novel that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected?

I was surprised at how quickly my story was written. I think that my memories were so powerful, that they all came tumbling out. It was also as if the characters I invented took me over and said: ”Look, Joan. This is how we feel, and this is what happened.”

Hypothetically speaking, if “ Because You Were There” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying the characters, especially Tina and Felicity?

Obviously Felicity, the teacher, is very loosely based on me. How about Penelope Cruz?(I joke!)  Letitia Wright is an exceedingly powerful and intelligent actress, who moved to Britain from Guyana when she was only seven. She would be amazing in the role of Tina as an adult,  although she would have to age quite a bit.

Have you always wanted to have a career in teaching or writing or did you have other career aspirations growing up?

I always wanted to be a teacher from the age of four, like my mum. 

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I have periods when I love to read exhaustively, but the conditions have to be right. Kindle for me, though books are definitely more precious. I mainly read contemporary literary fiction, mostly by women such as Rachel Cusk, Claire Keegan, Zadie Smith, Maggie O’Farrell, Anne Enright , Ali Smith, and others. I recently met Natasha Brown, who is the author of a startling new book called ‘Assembly,’ and am keen to read any novels she may write in the future.

Is Because You We’re There available to purchase worldwide?

 ‘Because You were There is available through Amazon, Waterstones, and The Gurdian Bookshop.  

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I got married in the seventies in a pair of jeans, and have never given up on them, though recently I have discreetly started to wear denim joggings. It’s always been casual for me: trousers rather than dresses, and boots and trainers, rather than heels: and maybe linen trousers, or a short denim skirt and sandals in the increasingly hot summers here.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I always shop on line: Uniqlo, M+S maybe. I find that clothes I bought from Boden years ago have aged well. I still have an ancient pair of Boden velvet trousers for special occasions that I adore.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

My leather baseball type boots from Rieker which I wear non- stop in winter, are wearing out. If the soles can’t be replaced, I’ll have to find similar ones. I love the side zips and they are soooo warm.

Boots or Shoes?

Low boots or trainers definitely!  We take daily walks into the forest , so that’s a must. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

I love to blog. When I’m not writing something longer, it kind a’ scratches that itch. I can be found on: joansjottings.net

Thanks to Joan for the copy of her excellent book “Because You Were There” for reviewing. Also thanks to Cameron Publicity & Marketing.

All photographs have been published with kind permission of Joan Lewis

Share This!
Pin It

Author Interview: Mitesh G Desai

I’m finishing off the year with an interview with author Mitesh G Desai and his novel “ The Big Shot Trader”. This entertaining and funny novel is based on the world of market trading where everything is driven by money and status. And Mitesh should know because he was a former trader!

BOOK SUMMARY

Does Kerpal have what it takes to get ahead in the high-pressure world of finance? Young, naive and drawn in by the excitement and the money, can he keep up without losing who he really is?

Kerpal has just landed a job working as a trader at an investment bank. He’s about to crash land into a seat where the pressure and expectations are sky high and the tolerance for naivety and mistakes is close to zero. Follow his journey as he fumbles through work, love and family all whilst trying to discover what it takes to be a big dog.

The Big Shot Trader is a fast-paced comedy with real insight into the world of finance and the sacrifices, risks and moral choices that those in the industry make in order to survive, thrive and get paid.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi and welcome to the blog! Please introduce yourself…

Hi! I am Mitesh. I’m an author and have just published my debut novel, “The Big Shot Trader”.  I grew up in North London (the green suburb bit, fortunately, rather than the slightly destitute inner city bit) and then following an Economics Degree I found myself living in New York working for one of the biggest banks in the world. It was 2008, the financial crisis was unfolding and it was a crazy time. Every morning there were protestors outside the offices and nobody seemed to have any idea what the next day would hold in store, let alone the next week or month. Things were so volatile at the time that nobody had the capacity to think about years. 

I found my way back to London and continued working in finance for five years. Following that I did lots of stuff; I taught Economics for A-Level students at a school in Hertfordshire, wrote a textbook about how to pass an exam to study social sciences at Oxford and eventually ended up running an E-Commerce business which I still work in to date. I also got married in the midst of everything and am now blessed with a two year son and a mother in law who could win awards for her cooking. 

What inspired you to write “The Big Shot Trader” ? 

It actually started off as a blog. I was working in the City and was increasingly disillusioned with my existence. It was a cathartic experience to write about this fictional character and the way he felt as things just happened to him. It probably helped me to exercise some of the demons that were troubling me day to day as I started to plot a life outside of finance. 

I spent a long time ignoring the book and constantly thinking I should really get it finished but not making a great deal of effort to do so. When I discovered my wife was pregnant I decided it was now or never so worked on it consistently until it finally got into a place where I could feel happy with it. 

© Linda Hobden

As you were a former trader, are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who were the hardest characters to portray?

On the one hand  the characters are fictional and yet it’s amusing that all of my friends who work in finance can identify so readily with each and every character that appears in the book. I’ve fielded at least five phone calls where I’ve been asked if it was their specific boss or colleague that I was depicting. I think the truth is that so many people who work in finance fit a certain character mould and so there’s a lot of reality in the behaviour of the people in the story. 

My protagonist, Kerpal, was really tough to bring to life. He arrives at the start of the book as this smart guy and it was hard to craft a story in which he remains relatively passive throughout. This felt true of the finance experience; it’s quite rare that a junior banker can do much beyond doing what their told and hoping they get asked politely. I think there are places in which it will frustrate the reader as they think, ‘but I would treat this so differently’ but in the context of a high pressured environment it’s not realistic to think you would stand up to someone who is far more experienced and towering over you as they shout and push you to comply with some method of working, regardless of legality or any other moral consideration. 

I also loved writing about Kerpal’s family. The moments where you take him out of the work environment and make him a child again at a dinner table is a chance to show he’s immature side. This kid is only 22 years old and gambling millions of dollars by day and I felt like it was important to show readers he was so much more than just this City Boy.

Were there any aspects of writing your novel that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected? 

Having the idea to write was easy, the rest was really challenging! Planning a story and then trying to put it together is so difficult. I have always loved reading but have a newfound and epic amount of respect for writers who have churned out a lot of novels in their careers. Like lots of first time authors, I was working a full time job in the background and trying to balance family, friends and all my other committments and then when you throw in a new baby too it was a real challenge to find the motivation to sit down and write in the gaps. I settled into this groove of putting my son to sleep and then writing for an hour before then giving myself an hour to unwind before bed. It was slow and inefficient, probably, but eventually I got there.

Hypothetically speaking, if “ The Big Shot Trader ” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying the characters, especially Kerpal? 

This is such a tricky question! I loved Kunal Nayyar (Raj in the Big Bang Theory) but not sure if they could make him look young enough to get away with playing a young trader. I think Aziz Ansari also has the right kind of face and stature to play the role. 

Have you always wanted to have a career in the financial field or writing or did you have other aspirations? 

I think when I was young I was guilty of falling into the trap of thinking that finance was the only career worth aspiring towards. I was sold by the perceived glamour, status and wealth it could provide. It’s a reflection of my own stupidity that after completing internship after internship and not enjoying the experience I still took a graduate job with a bank. That really should’ve been a wake up call to go and find something to do that I was passionate about but that thought never occured to me at the time. 

I love writing so much but I think I have always seen it as a hobby. I have a note pad with about eight book ideas and I don’t lose much sleep wondering if I’ll ever write any of those novels to be honest. I contribute to a football website (my other passion) regularly and love writing to entertain. I am always pleased when I write something and, this is particularly true of football, people can take off their tribal hats and just be amused or tickled by something for what it is. 

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I am a huge reader! I love fantasy but try to stop myself falling into the trap of only reading fantasy novels. That said I recently read the first two books in the “Six of Crows” series by Leigh Bardugo and just loved everything about them. I can’t wait for the third to be released. 

I always think the way to judge a favourite book is based on how many times you’ve gifted it and on that basis my favourite book is definitely, “A Fraction of the Whole” by Steve Toltz. It is hilarious, awkward and a wonderful story. He is such a talented writer. 

For a long time I loved printed books but made the switch over to Kindle a few years ago and will never go back. First of all it’s much easier to travel with a kindle than with three books in your hand luggage, it’s more environmentally conscious (I hope) and I sometimes read late at night and if I am dropping off whilst reading it’s less painful when a kindle falls on your face compared to a 500 page book! 

Is The Big Shot Trader available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! It’s on Amazon now and I think a few independent book stores are starting to pick it up too. If you’re in London then Daunt Books in Marylebone is my favourite book shop on earth and I believe it’s available. I think it’s an old monastery and the bank has the original stained glass windows in place; it’s an utterly wonderful place to get lost in a story. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Something comfy! I am lucky enough to run my own business so I don’t feel the need to conform to any particularly dress code. I’ll be in a pair of jeans, a jumper and a comfy pair of trainers most days. My marketing team sent me a “Mitesh toolkit” picture which showed my staple clothes items and it was incredibly (and alarmingly) accurate.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

I live in Marylebone so Daunt Books is amazing. I’m guilty of reading a book in there for an hour and nobody has ever kicked me out. The staff are so friendly and helpful and love books themselves. 

I don’t do a lot of shopping in truth but I like Reddit. Any website that can show me global current affairs, sports, a  good joke and a picture of a cat wearing a hat on a single page is going to get my vote. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I am actually in the market for a pair of smart brown or navy shoes. The pair I own have seen better days and those better days were probably about a decade ago (like I said, I don’t shop much). I actually looked at getting them restored as a lazy option but the cost of restoration is not vastly dissimilar to buying a brand new pair! 

Boots or Shoes?

Generally I favour shoes. Boots are a bit too heavy and I feel like my feet get tired wearing them all day. I own a couple of really cool pairs of hightop trainers and I will avoid wearing them if I think I’m going to do more than 5000 steps in a day. 

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

You can find my novel here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shot-Trader-Mitesh-Girish-Desai/dp/B0CKB12YH4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MCFSVUFG8AN&keywords=The+big+shot+trader&qid=1700658644&sprefix=the+big+shot+trader%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-1

I am on twitter as @mdesaiauthor but in the most sporadic and inefficient way that it almost renders the whole venture pointless. I should really get involved a bit more I suspect. 

Thanks for the chat, Mitesh ! I will definitely check out Daunt bookshop! 😊 Thanks to Mitesh for the review copy of The Big Shot Trader ( & Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing). All photographs were published with kind permission of Mitesh Desai, apart from where marked.

Linda x

Share This!
Pin It