Interview With Author Brinda leckmanee Phokeerdass
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Brinda Leckmanee Phokeerdass, a Mauritian author and educator with a deep love for stories that connect us to our past, our culture, and the mysteries of the natural world. Growing up surrounded by the rich oral traditions of Mauritius, I’ve always been drawn to the power of folklore, memory, and ancestral knowledge. My background in engineering and teaching shapes the way I see the world—with both curiosity and care.
So far, I’ve written ten books across a range of genres, including gothic mystery, speculative fiction, science fiction, and young adult literature. My writing often explores the unseen threads that bind people to place, history, and each other. Whether it’s a haunted house in Shadows Over Réduit, a time-bending journey in The Last Island, or the imagined voice of the last dodo in The Last Feather, I aim to tell stories that resonate with both heart and imagination.
My books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Everand. I hope my stories offer readers a glimpse into the soul of Mauritius and inspire them to look more closely at the stories hidden in the places they call home.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Echo Room. It’s a suspenseful, atmospheric novel centered around a woman who returns to her childhood home—only to find that the house seems to remember more than she does. As she uncovers long-buried secrets, the house itself becomes a character, whispering fragments of the past through dreams, echoes, and shifting walls.
The inspiration for The Echo Room came from my fascination with memory and place—how buildings can hold stories, and how returning to where we came from can awaken parts of ourselves we thought were long forgotten. I’ve always been drawn to the idea that homes have souls, shaped by the people who lived there and the histories they witnessed. In many ways, this book is my way of exploring how personal and collective memory can haunt—and heal—us.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One of them is that I often write late at night, usually between midnight and 3 a.m.—there’s something about the stillness of that time that makes the imagination feel more alive. It’s as if the boundaries between reality and dream blur, which is perfect for the kinds of stories I write.
Another habit is that I like to “interview” my characters out loud before I start writing a scene. I’ll sit with a notebook, ask them questions, and jot down their answers in their voice. It helps me get into their mindset and often reveals unexpected plot twists or emotional beats I hadn’t planned.
Also, I keep a small collection of objects—seashells, dried leaves, old keys—that I associate with specific stories. When I get stuck, I hold one in my hand and just… listen. It’s a quiet ritual, but one that grounds me in the world of the book.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have shaped the way I write and think about storytelling—both from Mauritius and beyond.
One of my early influences was Ananda Devi, whose lyrical and haunting prose showed me how powerful and raw Mauritian literature can be. Her ability to weave personal trauma with the landscape of the island deeply affected my sense of narrative voice and place.
I’ve also been inspired by Shirley Jackson, particularly The Haunting of Hill House. Her quiet horror and psychological depth taught me how to build atmosphere and tension without relying on spectacle. That influence definitely lives in my darker, more mysterious works like Shadows Over Réduit and The Echo Room.
From a more fantastical angle, Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time left a mark on my imagination when I was young. It encouraged me to believe that speculative fiction could hold both intellect and emotion, science and spirit.
And I always return to Toni Morrison—her attention to ancestral memory, identity, and the weight of the unspoken continues to remind me of the depth that stories can carry, especially when grounded in culture and history.
What are you working on now?
ight now, I’m working on a new book series titled Island of Forgotten Fire. It’s a dark folkloric tale set deep in the forests of Mauritius, where a reclusive botanist uncovers a hidden grove tied to an ancient, forgotten pact between humans and the spirits of the land. As she documents strange flora and unsettling phenomena, she begins to question whether she’s studying the forest—or being studied by it.
This story is deeply inspired by Mauritian oral traditions, especially the beliefs surrounding lavi lamar (the spirit of the forest) and other nature-bound entities. It blends mystery, eco-horror, and magical realism—three of my favorite elements to write. It’s also a love letter to the untouched wild spaces of the island that are rapidly disappearing.
I’m still in the thick of the first draft, which means lots of midnight writing sessions, character interviews, and wandering in nature with a notebook in hand.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method for promoting books has been a combination of storytelling and authenticity across multiple platforms—but if I had to pick one, I’d say Books2Read has been the most effective and creatively fulfilling space.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Write the story only you can tell.
Don’t chase trends or try to mimic someone else’s voice. Your unique perspective, history, and imagination are your greatest strengths. The world doesn’t need more of the same—it needs your truth wrapped in your magic.
2. Finish the draft.
Perfection is the enemy of progress. Let your first draft be wild, messy, and unfiltered. You can revise a flawed draft, but you can’t revise a blank page.
3. Treat writing like a relationship, not a task.
Show up, listen, nurture it—but forgive yourself if you need space. Sometimes you’ll write a thousand words. Sometimes you’ll stare out the window and think. Both are part of the process.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard—and the one I return to often—is:
“Write what haunts you.”
It was shared with me by a mentor early in my writing journey. At the time, I was trying to write “safe” stories—ones that fit expectations, avoided discomfort, and didn’t dig too deep. But the stories that linger in a reader’s heart (and in the writer’s) are the ones born from the questions we can’t stop asking, the emotions we haven’t yet named, the memories we carry like shadows.
This advice reminded me that vulnerability is strength in writing. That it’s okay to explore themes like loss, silence, fear, identity—even if they scare or challenge me. Especially if they do.
Whenever I’m stuck, I ask myself: What’s the ache under this scene? What’s the secret under the silence? And that almost always leads me back to the truth of the story.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. It’s a beautifully woven tale about immortality, memory, and the consequences of making a pact with the devil. The way Schwab plays with time, identity, and the feeling of being forgotten really speaks to me, especially as someone who writes about the interplay between memory and place.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next for me as a writer is to keep pushing the boundaries of the stories I tell. I want to continue blending genres like folklore, magical realism, and psychological suspense—exploring how the natural world and ancestral connections shape human lives.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh, what a fun question! If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d want books that could transport me, challenge me, and offer comfort in their layers of depth. Here’s what I’d bring:
1. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
I’d never get bored with this one—endless plays, sonnets, and moments of pure brilliance. Whether I need tragedy, comedy, or something to reflect on in the stillness, Shakespeare’s works are versatile and timeless.
2. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
This masterpiece of magical realism is like a living, breathing world. The blend of history, family, and the surreal would keep my mind alive and spinning with ideas, even in isolation. Plus, it’s a book I could read over and over, finding new layers each time.
3. The Book of Nature by Edward O. Wilson
As an author who loves the natural world, this book is a perfect companion. It’s a deep dive into the science and beauty of our planet. It would help me reconnect with nature in a way that’s both intellectually satisfying and spiritually grounding.
4. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
This short but profound collection of poetic essays touches on everything from love and freedom to work and sorrow. It’s a book that speaks to the soul, and during moments of quiet solitude, it would offer a lot of peace and insight.
These four books would offer a perfect blend of intellectual stimulation, emotional depth, and connection to the world around me—even if I were stranded.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brinda leckmanee Phokeerdass Website
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.