Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am mixed race Sri Lankan and English. Born in London, I moved to the East Coast of Sri Lanka in 2003. In 2004 I survived the Asian Tsunami, along with my husband and first son who was born in 2005. I moved to Australia in 2008 where my second son was born. My wanderlust has led me to live and work around the world, but I always return to Sri Lanka, the place I call home. I exhibit my love for the country in my writing, my first book Luk in Sri Lanka; a children’s travel guide was published in 2013. My second book, a contemporary novel, is set in post-tsunami Sri Lanka and follows the story of a teenage girl kidnapped by terrorists. It is called Orange Moon and was published in 2019.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Orange Moon is the title of my latest book. It is semi-autobiographical although I couldn’t pinpoint exactly which character is me. From 2003 until the present I have owned a hotel on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. In 2004 it was washed away in the Asian Tsunami but we rebuilt it in 2005. During this time, the civil war was responsible for a huge number of deaths and many people went missing. My novel is set in 2006. It follows the story of a teenage girl kidnapped by terrorists on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Most of the story is set in and around a hotel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find I get affected by traumas that my characters go through. Even though I have complete control over their outcome, it still makes me sad to see them in pain! My books always play out as a movie in my head. My next challenge is to write a screenplay.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hanif Kureishi
Chhimi Tenduf-la
What are you working on now?
A Young Adults novel following a 14-year-old boy called Cyrus who is grieving for his mother and goes on the run from his violent father. He makes friends with a teenage monk who helps him to cross into other realms to unravel the secret in his past.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am trying to find out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing.
What are you reading now?
Normal People by Sally Rooney
What’s next for you as a writer?
To dive headfirst with no safety harness into the world of book promotion and marketing!
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?
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The other 3 books I would write myself and keep changing the ending so I would never get bored!
Author Websites and Profiles
Srianjali Gunasena Amazon Profile