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“What’s changed in Israel since October 6? Everything – everything has changed”

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Thank you to Brian Henry for interviewing me for the Canadian Zionist Forum, a substack written by David  "What's changed in Israel since October 6? Everything – everything has changed"A conversation with novelist Gila Green, interview #1 of Conversations with Canadian-Israelis BRIAN HENRYAUG 07, 2024 Today we are proud to offer a new article ...

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August Jewish Book Carnival

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Welcome to the August the Jewish Book Carnival, a monthly event where bloggers who blog about Jewish books can meet, read and comment on each others' posts. The carnival was started by Heidi Rabinowitz and Marie Cloutier to build community among bloggers and blogs who feature Jewish books. For more information about the Jewish Book Carnival, c...

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6 More Authors Share Their Best Writing Advice

GROWTH

"First thought best thought."  by Lesléa Newman  Welcome to the second installment of MY gilagreenwrites 5th anniversary celebration series! For this special occasion, I've invited some of the remarkable authors I've had the pleasure of interviewing and hosting as guest contributors on the site. These talented writers have generously...

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8 Authors Share Their Best Writing Advice

DREAM

 My new blog series is all about celebrating the 5th anniversary of gilagreenwrites. To start us off, 8 authors share their best writing advice. I asked dozens of authors two questions: 1. What is the best writing advice you received that you return to again and again? 2. A do or a don't for writers Here are the first 8 answers. ...

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Celebrating Five Years of Gilagreenwrites

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Celebrating Five Years of Gilagreenwrites: Exciting Updates Ahead! I am thrilled to announce that gilagreenwrites is celebrating its five-year anniversary! It's been an invaluable journey, and I am deeply honored by the warm reaction and support my website has received from readers and writers alike and the many publicists who contact me regularly,...

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Getting Back into Short Story Writing After Switching to Novels

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Transitioning from writing novels to short stories has been a refreshing and invigorating experience for me. After years of immersing myself in the expansive worlds of novels (this process began in 2011 and culminated in the publication of my first novel in 2013, King of the Class), returning to the concise and focused format of short stories has r...

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Author Interview: Jennifer Lang

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To my surprise, chiseling my stories also made my prose pop.  Last May 2023, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Lang for my website. Now, she's back with the next phase of her memoir writing to share with us. It seems like a lifetime ago, given all that has transpired since then, and I still haven't resumed my regular author interview...

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Why We Should Keep Writing Even Through a Summer of Unrest

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My summer blog post series continues. Summer is often seen as a time of relaxation and renewal and I've been writing a lot about that in my summer writing series. But this summer, I'm adding a post to my summer series that is not an intuitive part of my subject. When the world around us is in turmoil, it can be challenging to find solace, let alone...

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Author Interview: Ann Diament Koffsky

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Welcome to my ongoing author interview series! Today, I'm excited to feature Ann Koffsky, a talented children's author and illustrator whose work has captured the imaginations of young readers. Ann creates books that not only entertain but also inspire and educate. In this interview, we'll explore Ann's creative process, le...

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The Voices in My Head: Author Guest Post

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By Elaine Franklin Whenever I pick up a book, I feel a sense of happy anticipation. It's the same sense of excitement I feel when the lights go down at a play, or the movie is just about to start. I know I'm in for an adventure of some kind, and no matter what genre it is, I know I'll be going on an emotional journey. I'll meet new people, find out...

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Why Summertime is the Best Time to Build New Habits (Including Writing) in Israel

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My summer blog post series continues. I reference Israel because that's the location I know best, but you can apply this post to summer almost anywhere. I include my own Israel sky and event photos.  1. Longer, Hotter Days Mean More Time: In Israel, the summer days are not only longer but also particularly hot, giving you more daylight ho...

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Summer Writing Experimentation: Drawing Inspiration from Jewish Texts

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 Today's post is the 4th in my summer writing series. I expand on a point in yesterday's post about creative exploration in Jewish texts.  Summer's break from routine is a great time to experiment with your writing. With longer days and a more relaxed schedule, it's the perfect opportunity to delve into creative exploration. One unique so...

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Embrace the Break: Why Summer is the Perfect Time for Jewish Writers

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 This is the third post in my summer writing series. In this post, I will write from a specifically Jewish angle.  I include my own images of Jewish writing prompts: Omer Adam concert Tel Aviv June 2024, Jerusalem Jazz Festival June 2024 and Ashdod beach July 2024. Consider the photograph itself, the venue, the atmosphere, whatever c...

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Embrace the Season: How to Use Summer in Your Writing

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 I decided to write a whole series on summer writing. This post is the second summer writing post. I have always written much more in the summer than at other times of year.  How is the photo of Eilat from this week? The food truck festival in Jerusalem photo?  Feel free to use these photos as writing prompts. Glaze them with yo...

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Embracing the Season: Summer Writing Tips for First-Time Novelists

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Embracing the Season: Summer Writing Tips for First-Time Novelists Summer is a time of warmth, relaxation, and inspiration. For first-time writers, it's the perfect season to dive into creative projects. Whether you're lounging on the beach, enjoying a quiet moment in the park, or savoring long evenings, summer offers a unique backdrop for writing....

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How to Weave Your Novel or Memoir: Crafting a Compelling Story

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 Writing a novel is akin to weaving a complex tapestry, where each thread contributes to a rich and cohesive whole. Whether you're a seasoned writer or embarking on your first literary journey, understanding how to interlace the various elements of your narrative can transform your novel from a series of events into a compelling story. Here's ...

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The Unsung Heroes: How Secondary Characters Can Elevate Your Story

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Who are your favorite secondary characters in literature? How have they impacted your reading experience?  When crafting a compelling narrative, primary focus often falls on the protagonist and antagonist. However, secondary characters play a crucial role in enriching the story, adding depth, and providing unique perspectives. In this article,...

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Repost from the Jewish Insider: Building a 'culture worth fighting for' after Oct. 7, one workshop at a time

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 I was delighted to be interviewed by Lahav Harkov about a recent writing workshop I attended on Zoom. The writing prompt was to seek out something humorous post October 7 to help us cope with the chaos. Naturally, I chose a tower of tuna fish.  "Writing on the Wall" is a new creative writing community founded to 'make something of o...

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Discussion Guide for "With A Good Eye"

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"With A Good Eye" delves into the journey of 19-year-old Luna Levi as she navigates the challenges of maintaining her household while her mother pursues her acting career and her father is mostly absent. Luna shoulders the responsibilities of managing finances, cooking, and cleaning for herself and her brother Ronen, all while grappling with the co...

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The Significance of Discussion Guides in Novels

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Discussion guides at the back of novels didn't always enjoy the prominence they do today. Their rise to popularity can be traced back to a growing desire for deeper engagement with literature, particularly in the context of book clubs and reading groups. Behind the immersive worlds and captivating characters of novels lies a hidden gem often overlo...

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Israeli women share stories

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A long time ago it seems now (yes, in the world before October 7), I answered a call for submissions at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. I thought it sounded like an amazing project I'd like to take part in. The submission call was for essays from women all over Israel in a variety of languages. After all of the delays between Corona and t...

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YouTube & Photos from Literary Modiin Author Event

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 A photo gallery from the 49th Literary Modiin event! Thanks so much to Julie Zuckerman for creating this space for creativity and storytelling. I had the opportunity to read from my new novel With A Good Eye and connect with readers (one participant told me she came because her aunt in New York was reading my novel White Zion in her book...

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My Jerusalem Post Interview: Gila Green

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 Thank you to journalist, Atara Beck, for this interview. The magazine (print) version is longer and includes a photo spread. I'll post the PDF. For now, here is the online version of the interview with a link to the full profile. With a Good Eye, the title of Canadian-Israeli author Gila Green's novel, alludes to a good luck charm the protago...

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Top 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Memoir

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Writing a memoir is a deeply personal and often therapeutic journey. However, it also comes with unique challenges that can hinder your narrative's impact if not addressed. Here are the top 10 common mistakes memoir writers make and tips on how to avoid them: 1. Lack of Focus Memoirs should have a clear theme or central message. Avoid trying to cov...

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Questions to ask yourself and your editor

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Many writers don't know what to ask themselves or their editors once they have completed a first draft. Here are some common questions all writers should ask themselves and others about their work: Is my writing clear and coherent? Authors frequently seek clarity on whether their writing effectively communicates their ideas and engages readers.Does...

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Guest Post: Sally Wiener Grotta shares her journey as an accidental biblical student

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Sally Wiener Grotta (she/her) is an award-winning writer, photographer and speaker whose numerous books include: Of Being Women, a collection of feminist science fiction stories (NobleFusion Press, 2023) and Daughters of Eve, a collection of essays that mines the tales of biblical Matriarchs to explore modern lives and concerns (Bayit Publishing, 2...

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JAHM KIDLIT GIVEAWAY

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 Want to win a shelf full of Jewish kidlit books? Check out this contest! There are tons of books being given out, with 9 lucky winners. You can enter here: https://tinyurl.com/JAHMgiveaway  With A Good Eye is older YA, for ages 16 and up. My heroine, Luna Levy, is 19 turning 20 in the novel.  My book latest With A Good Eye, is part ...

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JOIN ME on ZOOM: Reading from With A Good Eye

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 AJL Canada Roundtable: Canadian Authors' Showcase Sunday, May 5, 202410:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm Israel Time In this showcase, thirteen Canadian authors of children's, YA, and adult books—Rona Arato, Brayden Bernstein, Nancy Cohen, Zehava Cohn, Anne Dublin, Gila Green, Kathy Kacer, Etta Kaner, Joanne Levy, Carol Matas, Ira Robinson, Al...

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Still in time for Passover: Get Organized with Gayle M. Gruenberg

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When we clear out the physical and mental clutter in our lives, we create the room needed to bring in new and more desired things, people, and experiences. Gayle is the Chief Executive Organizer of Let's Get Organized, LLC, in Northern New Jersey. She is a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Virtual Organizing Pro...

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Navigating the Editing Process: Middle Grade vs. Adult Fiction

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Middle-grade fiction often features a clear and accessible writing style that draws readers in from the first page.  As an editor, delving into the world of fiction requires not only a keen eye for detail but also an understanding of the unique nuances that come with different genres and age groups. Whether you're editing middle-grade or adult...

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Latest Books

The Inheritance

The Inheritance

This suspense/thriller asks, if you were to walk away from your family, would you ever go back, even if you received a desperate text message?

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Pre-Order from Amazon/Kindle for release: March 11, 2025

With a Good Eye

With a Good Eye

This family drama is part crime fiction and part domestic noir. With A Good Eye will make you question: can you ever save anyone but yourself and do any of us ever really leave home?

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No Entry

No Entry

In No Entry, Canadian teenager, Yael Amar, signs on to an elephant conservation program and ends up coming face to face with violence, greed, and murder and the taste of a very real danger for all of us: elephant extinction.

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White Zion

White Zion

White Zion is a novel in stories forthcoming from Cervena Barva Press (April 2019). The novel takes readers into the worlds of 19th century Yemen, pre-State Israel, modern Israel and modern Canada...

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Passport Control

Passport Control

Miriam Gil knows little about Israel. Her father won’t talk about his life there or the brother he left behind when he came to Canada. Hurt and angry when he tells her to move out to make room for his new girlfriend, she enrolls in an Israeli university. She falls in love with Guy... 

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King of the Class

King of the Class

Eve and Manny are engaged in post-civil war Israel, but Manny has a secret: he’s falling in love with his religious roots and turning his back on moral relativism. As their wedding date approaches...

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