Interview With Actress, Playwright & Author Lisa Monde

 

 

1. What inspired you to write this book? A true story from my life. I write about it in the foreword and dedicate the novella “Teach Me How to Die” to that very same young man who, in his early student years, was on the verge of suicide, struggling with his gender identity, and trying to find his place in this world.

2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for? First, I wrote a play of the same name, which had several stage productions Off and Off-Off-Broadway. Audiences responded strongly to the main subject of the play —how to help someone who has concluded that continuing their earthly existence is impossible. Even those for whom the topic was sensitive agreed that it needed to be addressed, and a theatre stage was a brave and proper place to do so. 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? For a wider audience of readers, the play was adapted into a novella, now published and available on all major platforms, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble – “Teach Me How to Die. A Novella and Other Stories.” It offers the opportunity to further explore the characters' personalities, nuances, and development. The reader sees how each of the six participants in a suicide note writing workshop reconsiders or confirms their decision to end their lives. Discussing the subject with others who have found themselves in the same state of despair is one way to prevent the irreparable. Even if you don't know how to discuss this topic, don't pass it by: support them however you can. Because there are no dead ends from which there is no escape. It's important to help them find a way… to stay! 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The actors involved in the play's production became huge fans of this story. The cover art was created by our Violinist. Scott Lilly is not only a talented actor but also an artist, a painter. Therefore, the cover turned out to be very atmospheric, perfectly reflecting the main narrative line. When you read the book, look at the cover, and you'll understand what I'm talking about! I think it represents the mood and the world our characters reside in quite perfectly. 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? I think the secret to being a writer lies in two key components: writing only when you absolutely must, when you can’t contain yourself, when you feel the need to tell a story, and being honest with your readers. I'm talking about the feelings you reveal, the level of your elaboration, and the technical perfection of your book.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I think the relentless fascination with self-help books, which purport to explain in a nutshell how to be healthy, wealthy, and happy, is gradually fading. And this, in my opinion, is a good thing. Readers should seek answers not in life manuals, but in literature. I may be wrong, but the demand for "smart" books is growing, and this is perfectly understandable: we live in an era of double standards and controversial political decisions that affect our well-being. Readers are ready to understand current developments, and it's the publishing industry's job to respond sensitively.  

7. Were there specific experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? I already answered this question above. Yes, the story the book is based on did take place in my life, in a way. I believe my theatrical background came in handy, too; I “work” with feelings, subjects that our souls are sensitive to. As actors, it is our job to feel and make our spectators feel. When you’re writing about people’s despair and disappointment in life, being both careful and honest is crucial. In theatre, if something is true to the performer, it is true to the spectators; it resonates.  

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books are your writing similar to? All my works, both published and forthcoming, are psychological dramas that carry elements of magical realism. Realistic descriptions of everyday life are juxtaposed and intertwined with fantastical, surreal elements. For example, in the book "Teach Me How to Die," which we're discussing here, the events take place at a master class in suicide note writing, which is completely unrealistic! Blurring the line between reality and something unreal, surreal, is what I strive for. Of course, my main teacher in this literary method is Gabriel García Márquez. And Salvador Dali, of course.  

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? The subject of suicide is neither simple nor trivial, nor is it guaranteed to generate widespread interest. Discussing important issues within our society is always a challenge. And I accepted it. Moreover, a survey of audience members who attended productions of the play of the same name showed that they were ready and interested in this topic, as well as euthanasia, by the way. They are concerned with life after death and the memory of the departed loved ones. It is true, though, that vampires and vampirism are currently winning in popularity (ha-ha). Perhaps because in the minds of their contemporaries, they are now not only immortal but also nearly omnipotent and endowed with feelings and empathy. I write about this in my other book, “Dracula: Finding of a Shadow”.  

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? My book is worth buying for those who aren't looking for simple answers to complex questions. Those who want to reflect on their own and others' values ​​are welcome! Instead of a printed copy or an e-book, you can listen to the audiobook version – it's available on all platforms. The narrator is Professor Mirrormord himself – Samuel Shurtleff, who played this character brilliantly in the latest production Off-Broadway back in 2023. He is exactly how I imagined him when I conceived the play. The musical design of the audiobook is also mine; it’s original. I believe I managed to convey my entire attitude to the events in the book with just seven notes. Intrigued? Read, listen, write – let's discuss.  

About The Author: Lisa Monde is a writer, playwright, director, composer, and actress. Holds a master's degree in English Linguistics and a PhD in Musical Theatre. Lisa is the author of over a dozen original plays and eight musicals, the majority of which have been produced in the US and other countries.  

Multi-award winner of prestigious theatrical contests and playwriting competitions. Her previously published plays ("I Know All Save Myself Alone", "Saint Francis: Religion of Love", and "Dracula: Finding of a Shadow") have been recognized with various book awards. The novella “Teach Me How to Die” is based on Lisa's original play of the same name, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2023.  

“Teach Me How to Die. A Novella and Other Stories” is Lisa's first experience in writing prose. So far, “Teach Me How to Die. A Novella and Other Stories” has won Gold with the Literary Titan Books Awards 2026 (Fiction), Bronze with the Florida Book Awards 2025 (Popular Fiction), Bronze with the Book Fest Awards Spring 2026 (Women’s Fiction/General Fiction) and became a Distinguished Favorite at the Independent Press Book Awards 2026 (Short Stories). 

Lisa is currently working on her first novel. Lisa is a proud member of the Authors Guild, Dramatists Guild of America, International Union of Writers, and other creative unions. For more information, please see: - www.lisa-monde.com or Instagram: @the_lisamonde.

  

 

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 6,200,000 page views. With 5,600+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs  by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum