Interview With Author Julia Fuxman
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written over 50 children's titles, with all the profits donated to children refugees. I was a teen refugee many years ago myself. I started writing for children 8 years ago during the Syrian refugee crisis and am currently supporting Ukrainian refugees with The Dreamer: The Girl Who Dreamed the War Over and Katya's Sunflowers, both of which won awards recently. The latest book, The Dreamer, was cowritten with an amazing author, adventurer and a solo traveller, Tzuri King.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Dreamer: The Girl Who Dreamed the War Over was inspired by the current war in Ukraine. My family comes from the beautiful Ukrainian city of Odesa. However, I was raised in Moscow, Russia. The current crisis hit my family really hard. It has already been dispersed all over the world for many years. However, now, our families in Ukraine are going through unimaginable hardship as well as the rest of the Ukrainian children.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No unusual writing habits whatsoever. I do though write in bursts.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoyed reading Slavic Folklore as a child. I have always admired the authors who could illustrate their stories as well. Beatrice Potter is my icon. I am absolutely rubbish at drawing. The stick man being my highest achievement in art, I am fortunate to have worked with the most talented illustrators on my books.
What are you working on now?
Tzuri and I are working on the second book in The Dreamer series. This one will be dedicated to environment and enjoying, exploring, and protecting the Earth.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not good at promoting myself or my books. This is why I have yet to surpass JK Rowling in popularity. I am kidding. I am about to any day now 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
To write about something that inspires the pants out of you. Otherwise, it will not be good. It will be like writing an essay for your school homework. Forced.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
"Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth. They accept, almost without question, anything you present them with, as long as it is presented honestly, fearlessly, and clearly." E. B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web. I live by it. I don't simplify. I don't write down.
What are you reading now?
I am having a lot of fun with my research! I read anything and everything related to ballroom dancing as I am writing a book commissioned by a wonderful dance studio in Florida. And as I would never produce anything decent if I weren't entirely inspired by the subject, I had to fly to Florida, take a few dancing lessons, and make friends with the excellent teachers who work there. One of them, a young man named Jonathan, an American version of Billy Elliot, is my inspiration for my next book!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am a digital nomad. I travel the world, meet amazing people, and see beautiful places that inspire me to write and write and never stop.
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?
Definitely a collection of Slavic Folklore, Hans Christian Andersen's stories and Grimms' Tales for Young and Old. That's true. I still read children's books. Because really good children's books are written for more than just children.
Author Websites and Profiles
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.