1.
What
motivated you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or
experience and turning it into this book? My
family always inspires my writing. My
parents were Holocaust survivors who came to America, specifically Brooklyn,
New York, seeking to rebuild their lives with a family of their own. Jacob typifies all those who come to this
country hoping that their dreams will be fulfilled. For him, the dream is to build a home which
he envisions as a castle.
2.
What is it
about and who is it for? The book is
about a man, Jacob, and his friend, Zalman, who having suffered many losses and
brutality from the Nazis, journey to America in search of a better life. Jacob, with the help of his good friend and
his new wife, Esther, begins building the home that he has always dreamed
of. That dream of a home and family is
fulfilled, but then tragedy occurs—a tragedy which threatens Jacob and Zalman’s
friendship and even his marriage. My
book is for anyone who yearns for a better life, whether a newly arrived
immigrant or someone seeking a new beginning.
It is also for anyone who knows and appreciates the love
of friends and family. I believe that
just about anyone can relate to Jacob’s story.
3.
What
takeaways will the reader be left with after reading it? There are several.
First, there is the power of dreams, and understanding that no matter
how bleak things may appear, our dreams can be realized with work, patience,
and persistence. Second is the
importance of family and friends. These
bonds provide the strength and encouragement to fulfill our desires and should
not be lightly discarded. Jacob, Zalman,
and Esther exemplify these qualities.
4.
How did you
decide on your book’s title and cover design? Deciding on the title was an effort, but with the help of
my editors and close friends, I think we have found the perfect one. Jacob is the central figure in the novel, but
so is the home which symbolizes the culmination of his dream. The notion of a castle in Brooklyn, the place
where I was born and grew up, is ironic, but a fitting one. I must credit Carmen Johnson, my editor, and
the artists at Little A with this beautiful cover. The female depicted suggests Esther, and her
clothes evoke the time period. We do not
see her entire face, an idea left to the reader and one which motivates us to
read the novel.
5.
What advice
or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Keep writing! My
son, a successful screenplay writer, would tell me this each time I felt
despondent over searching for a home for my work. Even if you are not yet published, you are
still a writer and the act of writing and completing a manuscript is always
cause for hope. Never give up and be
open to criticism and revision.
6.
What trends
in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing
industry is heading? I am happy to see
multiculturalism being embraced as a topic.
My book represents one aspect of this idea in Jacob and Zalman, as Jews
who flee Europe in search of a better life in America. Riku, a Japanese American who was imprisoned
in a Japanese internment camp as a child, represents another facet. I see more memoirs too being published, which
is a good thing, as the individuals portrayed can be role models; readers often
relate to these stories. I also see more
books being made available through various modes, in paperback, hardcover,
Kindle and audio format.
7.
What
challenges did you overcome to write this book? There are always challenges when it comes to
writing. I work fulltime as a college
professor, so I had to carve out
spaces of time to write. Sometimes that
meant getting up early to sit at my desk or even in the middle of the night when
I would be struck with a new idea.
Emotionally, writing this novel was difficult at times, especially
writing about the scene in the barn during the Holocaust, and later when a
pivotal tragedy occurs. Revision is also
a challenge, but a necessary one. Both
my agent, Eve Attermann at William Morris, and Carmen Johnson with her team
were instrumental in getting this book to reach its potential.
8.
How would you
describe your writing style? Unlike that
of mysteries or suspense novels, my style is character-based. I try to create characters who are
well-rounded, non-stereotypical. Stream
of consciousness also figures in my work.
I hope to create rich descriptions which evoke realistic scenes. I hope that my readers will see aspects of
people they know and stories they can relate to.
9.
If people can
buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? If people want to lose themselves in a story with
recognizable characters who pursue their dreams despite seemingly
insurmountable odds, then they should read my novel. If they want to be moved and inspired, or
simply are looking for a good read, then I hope they will choose A Castle in
Brooklyn.
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