In the way nothing happens for a reason, you can learn, grow and exploit what does happen.  TWO NOVELS OF ISRAEL AND SYRIA by Howard Kaplan   When I was a fledgling writer, I watched a Ken Follett television interview about his novel of the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Though the locales were remarkably detailed, he explained that he h...

 3/28 Class - How to Start a Memoir with Gila Green - $40/$32 For Members$40.00 Only 10 available Date: 3/28 Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 PDT Cost: $40/$32 for members Class Level: Emerging - Intermediate Link and materials will be emailed at least 30 minutes before class. To register Memoir is as popular as ever. An increasing number of people have ...

There's something universal about the desire for change in general, and the urge to become the person you would like to be, not simply the person you were born as. I was delighted when Angela Himself contacted me and would like to extend a warm welcome to her today on gilagreenwrites. She speaks so to the point about the struggles many writers have...

Finding Your Freedom: Getting Past the Resistance That's Holding You Back "I was afraid. I was letting the resistance get to me. And by doing so, I was holding back on sharing my gifts with the world." "Wow, another one?" It's often said in one third admiration, one third disbelief, and one third - "Maybe slow down a bit." No, they're not talking a...

My colleague Marc Kornblatt continues to send me his original videos filmed in Tel Aviv. Thanks, Marc.  This YouTube "Imaginary Duck Street Art" is a must-watch if you enjoy Israel street art. From YouTube: "The images of Julia Shtengelov, an Israeli street artist working in Tel Aviv, inspired this montage by filmmaker Marc Kornblatt...

"The series was created because I wanted to do something to counter all the negative publicity Israel tends to get. I wanted to have a main character who simply had a love of the country." by  Stephen J. Gordon I am thrilled to welcome author Stephen J. Gordon to gilagreenwrites. Today he will be talking about his mystery-thrill...

This time with the link: http://malarkeybooks.com/free-samples/inheritance I would be happy to hear any comments you may wish to offer.  I have not submitted my work for a year (long for me, a once upon a time submission-addict). But after a couple of hard losses (yes, we've all had them) I realized I was--  A. Burnt out and  B....

This is a repost from one of my favorite Canadian writers: Brian Henry. EveryDay Fiction seeks flash fiction, 1,000 words max – no such thing as too short. Pays $3 U.S. For December issue, wants stories on holiday themes, including: are looking for winter and holiday stories for December 2022 issue, including: Winter Solstice / Midwinter / Yule, Ch...

I have four completed novels not yet published and I'm struggling to decide which one to focus on. When I try to focus on all of them, it's overwhelming.  I've decided to publish an excerpt from all four and ask for feedback. I wrote this one back in 2014 and can't seem to let it go.  Background This novel was accepted by Black Heron Pres...

 I'm reposting the November Jewish Book Carnival with special thanks to Marie Cloutier at bostonbibliophile for hosting. The Jewish Book Carnival is a monthly event, bringing together those who cover Jewish literature online to "meet, read, and comment on each other's posts". Organized by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL), the Car...

"I would encourage a Jewish young person to express their Jewish identity in any way that feels comfortable to them." Bio Jacqueline Jules is the author of over fifty books for young readers including the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, The Porridge-Pot Goblin, My Name is Hamburger, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Tag Your Dreams: ...

"Encouraging the publication of more Jewish board books by spreading the word of new Jewish board books is one of the best gifts you can give our kids." Bio Nancy Churnin is the award-winning author of multiple children's books including the National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Honor winner and Junior Library Guild selection Dear Mr. Dickens. ...

Testimonials "As members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Gila and I have swapped several manuscripts as each other's beta reader. Her comments have been both helpful and supportive. She is a consummate professional, a writer/editor with a heart, delivering her services in a timely and diplomatic manner. I recomme...

START DATE: Ongoing. We choose the same day each month to meet. There are options for weekly or twice-a-month meetings. DURATION: 4 meetings with the chance to renew for additional meetings. LOCATION: Email, Google Drive, Zoom FEEDBACK: Instructor feedback and critique on a shared Google document and via Zoom (optional) CONTACT: Through this&n...

Author Joanne Levy

I am very happy to welcome Joanne Levy to gilagreenwrites today. I love this interview. It's packed with valuable information for readers and writers alike about a very important topic. Thanks so much, Joanne for stopping by. Please drop me a line when you're ready for another visit. BIO: Joanne Levy is the author of the Sydney Taylor Notable and C...

I am thrilled to be teaching at Lounge Writers this fall. Only 10 spots available Date: 10/2 Time: 10:00 am - Noon PDT Cost: $40/$32 for members Class Level: Emerging - Intermediate Link and materials will be emailed at least 30 minutes before class. Memoir is as popular as ever. An increasing number of people have realized that their oral his...

Not long ago, I received a beautifully illustrated book in the mail titled A Visit to Moscow, written by Anna Olswanger. The graphic novel takes place in the 1960s and is inspired by a rabbi who traveled to the Soviet Union as part of a rabbinical delegation to visit Jewish victims of government-sponsored anti-Semitism. I approached Anna for a...

I am writing from New Vessel Press to request permission to reprint your short story "Roller Coaster" in a collection of Chanukah stories to be published on September 12, 2023...The title of the book: One for Each Night: The Greatest Chanukah Stories of All Time. I received a very early Chanukah 2023 present this year and it's my birthday this...

"Within a couple of days he had produced an exquisite black and white storyboard that he had photographed himself and had arranged a meeting with his contacts at Hogarth Worldwide - London's premier post-production house."  Author Bio Back in the distant mists of time, Alex spent three years at art college in Maidstone; a college that David Ho...

"Something I discovered early on in the novel writing process is that all I needed to do was tell the story, describe the settings and the characters, and let the symbolism emerge on its own." Although I earned an MFA in Creative Writing thirty years ago and wrote a novel as my thesis -- a novel I never tried to publish, as it felt like more of a l...

"I say go wild! Use whatever you want to. Throw out the damn rule book. Who made it, anyway? Use whatever you want, only: learn your craft and use these things well."  In July I had the pleasure of participating in YA Thriller Con for the second year in a row. This gave me the opportunity to interview some talented, wonderful authors and ...

WATCH LIVE PANEL WITH Q&A: "How Do You Write a Novel? Pantsing Vs Planning" with Amy McCaw, Kathryn Foxfield, Tracy Darnton, Dawn Kurtagich, with moderator Gila Green. WATCH IT HERE. I had so much fun interviewing these talented published authors. There's a ton of excellent advice here for new and established authors. I tried to cover ever...

Sally Constain

Today on gilagreenwrites, I'm excited to welcome Sally Constain, author of The Keys to Fanny. In addition to writing, we both teach English as a Foreign langauge, so it's always nice to meet others from around the world with the same occupations and learn from their experiences. Plus, she says she was very close to her grandmother and mine is still...

Author Eileen Grace Brill

Today on gilagreenwrites, I wish to welcome debut author Eileen Brill. Brill's just released novel has a fascinating origin, an actual letter in the wall that she found in her own home. So many times I have been inspired to write a story about real life events that never came to fruition, so cheers to Eileen who followed up on an amazing inspiratio...

Fiction can be full of ideas and can tackle important issues, but I now understand that it's usually not interesting when the writer has predetermined the points he or she wants to impart. by Avner Landes I'm excited to have author Avner Landes visit gilagreenwrites today. Way back (in another life), I met Avner at Bar Ilan University while I was s...

April Jewish Book Carnival

I'm thrilled to be the host of this month's Jewish Book Carnival. Passover is a season for growth, famil,y and fun, but also for time off to read and explore new authors. Welcome! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the contributing bloggers and to wish all of them and all of you a chag Pesach kasher V'Sameach!&nbs...

I love featuring authors monthly and learning from every one of them.  I particularly enjoy featuring fellow authors in Israel who write in English. I'm so pleased to say I've met Leah Scheier in person. Yes, I've had the honor and hope to do so again.  Leah's novel THE LAST WORDS WE SAID was just awarded the Sydney Taylor Honor...

BIO: Meryl Ain is a writer, author, and career educator. The Takeaway Men, her award-winning Post-Holocaust debut novel, was published in 2020. In 2021, she founded the Facebook group, Jews Love To Read! Her new podcast, People Of the Book, airs on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network beginning in February. A member of The International Advisory...

My colleague, Marc Kornblatt, has once again generously shared his latest short films with me. Worth watching! From YouTube: "Israeli-born artist Liran Bechar has travelled around the world, tripping over more than a few bumpy spots along the way. In this short video, filmmaker Marc Kornblatt celebrates Bechar's ability to turn his traumas int...

 Thank you so much to author Alex Pearl for including me in his new book.  Within these pages, authors from a wide spectrum of backgrounds wax lyrical about their backgrounds, motivations, and working methods. Among this throng, self-published newbies rub shoulders with award-winning bestsellers from all corners of the globe, including th...