Wednesday, July 24, 2013

5 Questions with Sheyna Galyan

At the Minnesota River Arts Fair recently, I shared a literary tent with a bunch of other authors, and had a chance to interview them briefly. I asked each of them the same five questions. Here's what mystery author (and publisher) Sheyna Galyan had to say!


1 – What’s your latest book about?

Destined to Choose is about a Minneapolis Rabbi who needs to find a teenage runaway and reconcile her with her family – all while the Rabbi’s world is falling apart around him.


2 – Who’s your favorite author and/or what’s your favorite book?

It changes from time to time, but my current favorite is Lee Child. (I met him at the BEA one year!)

3 – What’s your favorite aspect of writing?

When the characters get so involved that they threaten to write the books themselves.

4 – Any good anecdotes about being a writer?

I once received a fan letter from a non-Jewish woman who was inspired to go back to church after reading my novel. Shortly afterward, this woman got colon cancer, and she gave lots of credit to her faith community for getting her through it. Another time, a bookstore owner once described my book as a cross between Harry Kemelman and Faye Kellerman.

5 – What was the most helpful writing advice you've ever received?

Stuart Matlins of Jewish Lights Publishing once told me that “People will want to see you fail, because then they won’t have to try. Don’t let them dictate your future.”

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