I’ve been publishing short stories since 2006, but this year my debut novel King of the Class was released by a small literary Vancouver publisher (www.nonpublishing.com).I’ve received many questions from debut authors mostly asking ‘what worked.’ Here are ten things that worked for me. Ten things I’ve learned four months after publishing my first novel King of the ClassTarget freelancers for reviews. I spent hours emailing publications I felt shared my target audience. Hands-down most of them ignored me or sent me polite ‘no’ emails. When I discovered the freelancers who sell regularly to these publications, I had far more success. Find them by clicking on contributors’ names.  Only no means no. Perseverance works. No answer does not mean no. Once in a while I’d get an email: “Good for you for not giving up. I was so busy with X, but now I’d be happy to read your book”. Everybody...

My new story, Mother, Daughter, Mercenary forthcoming September 2013 with Noir Nation (crime fiction) and Still Life with Father in Arc Magazine forthcoming from the Israel Association of Writers in English.

King of the Class by Gila Green Vancouver: Now or Never Publishing, 2013; $19.95. 237 pages. ISBN: 978-1-92694-214-8 Reviewed by Julie Anne Levin In her gripping and heartfelt first novel, King of the Class, Gila Green sets a timeless tale of love and religion in a politically and technologically futuristic Israel. Among cyber pets and hoverboards, a self-proclaimed nonreligious woman, Eve, is guided by supernatural connections through a plot maze that includes a difficult marriage and her only son’s disappearance. Tapping deeply into the experience of motherhood, Green’s most moving moments depict a mother’s relationship to her unborn child’s soul and, then, to her young son. The story also convincingly examines the sometimes healthy and sometimes disturbing sacrifices parents make to serve their children.This fast-paced novel is set in an Israel in which the twostate solution refers not to Israel and Palestine (a situation only briefly mentioned in the book), but...

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Gila Green's King of the Class is at once a bold and unflinching examination of love and faith in harrowing conflict, while at the same time a spellbindingly suspenseful tale that kept this reader breathlessly turning pages. The book clearly heralds the debut of a brave talent and brilliant entertainer.  Steve Stern author of The Wedding Jester, The Frozen Rabbi, The Book of MischiefAs a chronicler of contemporary Israeli religious life I think Green has no rival. She tells the stories from the born again trenches without the heavenly jingles and praise the Lord sighs. This is the spiritual equivalent of a soldier’s memoir from the Iraq War. Jarhead for the religious crowd.  The last hundred and fifty pages of thriller are page-turners, and it is no small feat to turn the religious lives of a few thousand Israelis into a drama you could make into a movie of the week.Atar Hadari, The Antigonish ReviewGila Green’s...

King of the Class now available on Amazon

Today I'm taking part in an exciting blog hop. Thank you Vicki Taylor for the invitation.What is a blog hop? For those of you unfamiliar with the term, here is THE NEXT BIG THING’s original blurb:“THE NEXT BIG THING is designed to raise awareness of our work, or work in progress. We do that by answering ten questions about it. We graciously thank the person who nominated us, and tag four to six other authors whose work could very well be THE NEXT BIG THING.”So let’s get this show on the road!What is the working title of your next book?Title: King of the Class.Where did the idea come from for the book? My idea initiated with my desire to write about the vulnerability of kids who do not fit into a box in the Israeli school system and I began with a family: parents + three children. I quickly felt that...

My new short story "Roller Coaster" will be published in Jewish Fiction (winter 2013).

Quick Brown FoxBe a Better Writer

NEW: An excerpt from my satirical novel, King of the Class, was short-listed for the 2011 Summer Literary Seminars Contest.

In this wise, instructive ebook Gila Green draws on her journalistic experience

"The piece you helped me with won second prize in the Moment Memoir Writing Contest (2011). Thank you for putting your wonderful, critical eye to it," C.L. Israel."Great news! The Paris Review took the excerpt," Jill Sadowsky, Raanana, Israel. "Urim Publiations has accepted my book. Thank you so much for your editing skills and advice," Cheryl Levi, Beit Shemesh, Israel."Nachas Magazine not only took my story, but offered me a regular writing position. All thanks to your hard work," Simchi Gluck, Jerusalem, Israel."You really do give excellent feedback;I've learned a lot and the stories you have edited for me are being published in Hamodia." Rhona Lewis, Beit Shemesh, Israel.

We have won an honorable mention award for the best Leadership Editorial in the USA section of the International College of Dentists (ICD) Journalism 2009 Award competition. As the copy editor for ICD Magazine I wish to thank the committee chairman and the publisher.

I’ve taken a lot of writing courses through different groups, and by far yours have all been the most beneficial. I loved this Flash course. The most important lesson I learned is just how incredibly difficult it is to write good flash fiction. I learned about many new tools that I can use in future writings. ~ Kathryn SchleichHere's what I loved about Gila's class:I felt safe (of paramount importance as a writer and as me)I felt my questions and contributions were valuedI received no-nonsense feedback and advice from youThe assignments were well presented and well preparedThe information within each assignment was incredibly useful and not overwhelmingHere's what I loved about Gila as an instructor:You always took the time to answer my questions, even the ones that were more personally orientedYou are direct and have realistic expectations of studentsYou are encouraging and supportiveYou know your stuffMy personal thanks to you for...

I've only written ten pages of a manuscript and I'm stuck. Can you help? Yes. I help with manuscripts at all stages of development. You'd be surprised how quickly we can get you unstuck. Do you help with query letters to agents and publishers? Yes. I have more than a dozen years of query letter writing experience.  My manuscript is complete, but it needs editing. Can you help? Yes. I offer copy editing and conceptual editing services. Should I self publish or traditional? As a general rule, self-publishing is more effective for non-fiction and/or for professionals who are writing a companion book for workshops, seminars and so on. I want to plan a relaxing, fun retreat and I need something stimulating, and expressive with a wide appeal. Can you help? Yes. I offer seminars and workshops to broad audiences of all levels. Can you organize a live workshop in Israel? Absolutely. I've offered workshops in Jerusalem,...

Canadian author Gila Green is an Israel-based writer, editor and EFL teacher. Her first novel is King of the Class (NON Publishing, Vancouver, 2013). Her collection White Zion is forthcoming from Cervena Barva Press (W. Sommerville, MA). Gila's short fiction appears in dozens of literary magazines in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Israel, Ireland and Hong Kong including: The Fiddlehead (forthcoming), Akashic Books, Fiction Magazine, The Saranac Review, Arc Magazine, Many Mountains Moving, Noir Nation, Quality Women's Fiction, The Dalhousie Review, Jewish Fiction, and Boston Literary Review. Her work has been short listed for the Doris Bakwin Literary Award (Carolina Wren Press), WordSmitten's TenTen Fiction Contest, twice for the Walrus Literary Award, twice for the Eric Hoffer Best New Writing Award and the Ha'aretz Short Fiction Award. Gila's fellowships include the Summer Literary Seminars Program (Montreal). She has lived in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.  

Congratulations! You are one step closer to reaching your writing and publishing goals. You will soon be able to explore practical steps that you can take towards mastering the craft of fiction writing. I am confirming your order which will be sent to the e-mail address on the order form. Every attempt will be made to fill your order within 24 hours. However, it could take up to 72 hours due to holidays and weekends (if your order was placed close to that time frame.)I welcome your feedback. Please send it to me through www.gilagreenonline.com

I am teaching Creative Writing (short fiction) at Touro College (Jerusalem) this fall (2007).

My short story "Half Sisters" has been accepted to The Pilot Project in Toronto. Look for it in Pilot Book 3 due out November, 2007. "Half Sisters" is part of my short story collection, White Zion."Under the Third Canopy" is now a novel titled "Miriam and Nathaniel."I am working on a new wedding-theme collection.

Short-listed for the Walrus Literary Award 2007 (Judge: Margaret Atwood)Pita for Two.Short-listed for the Walrus Literary Award 2006 (Judge: Margaret Atwood)The End of Jewish Jerusalem.Short-listed for the Ha'aretz short-fiction award 2006I Put Him on the Bottle.Finalist Travel and Transitions Contest (Humor) 2006Tied Up in Noughts."Still Life With Father" short-listed for the Best New Writing Eric Hoffer Award (2009)

Publications:The Dalhousie Review-Spider PlacesBridges-Rivka's Tomb>Under One Canopy: Readings in Jewish Diversity (Poem) - 170 Shevet - Borderline Boarders"Jane Doe Buys a Challah" a new anthology of Israeli-English Literature (Ang-Lit Press 2006) - I Put Him on the BottleFICTION Magazine-Brass Knuckles

Look for my short story "Brass Knuckles" in the next issue of Fiction magazine (spring 2007).

Look for my latest short-story publication from White Zion, 'I Put Him on the Bottle' in a new anthology of Israeli-English Literature titled, "Jane Doe Buys a Challah" (Ang-Lit Press, 2006). The launch at Tel Aviv University was exciting and the anthology should be available in February 2007.I have completed a companion novella to my short story collection titled, Under the Third Canopy. It spans Canada, Israel and Yemen over a period of a century.

'The End of Jewish Jerusalem' is one of the stories in White Zion."I just wanted to let you know that we at SLS genuinely enjoyed your story. A very strong piece of writing, energetically and beautifully rendered; a terrific whirlwind journey into the juxtaposition between disparate cultures. Compelling and powerful. Thank you for letting us see it."Mikhail IosselSLS (Summer Literary Seminars) Executive DirectorSt. Petersburg, Russia/Nairobi-Lamu, Kenya"You're an undeniably talented writer, and your story is both well constructed and rich with detail... The description in it is incredibly vivid. The writing is very good; the dialogue especially so. We'd be quite happy to see more from you in the future. Sincerely, Dave McLean, Partner Armada Quarterly'I Put Him on the Bottle' is another short story in White Zion."A very affecting piece."Neil KozodoyEditorCommentary Magazine"Your writing is of the highest quality. The subject matter was shocking, but not gratuitously so."Sally ZigmondAssistant Editor, QWF (Quality...