Interview with Author Leslie Gould

Leslie Gould

T4JYM: Can you tell us about your latest book and what readers can expect from it?

LG: The Shop Down the Lane is a sweet and humorous story, a sort of You’ve Got Mail set in Amish Country. The main characters, Lois Yoder and Moses Lantz, have a rocky history and despise each other in real life, only to fall in love on the page as they exchange anonymous letters through a bird-watching group. The story question is: will they overcome their animosity and embrace the love they’ve found through their letters, or will their stubborn hearts keep them apart forever?

T4JYM: What comes next? Are you working on something new?

LG: The Shop Down the Lane is the first book in my Letters from Lancaster County series. I’m currently in the middle of rewrites for the second book, When They Met Again, and writing the third book, which doesn’t have a title yet.  All three of the books feature a circle letter, which some have called “Amish social media” or an “Amish group chat.”

T4JYM: Who has been your biggest advocate and supporter in your journey to success?

LG: My husband has encouraged me through over twenty years of publishing novels. I’ve written contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and Amish fiction, meaning he’s accompanied me on research trips to Europe, Amish country, and throughout the Pacific Northwest where we live. He serves as my driver, research assistant, first reader, and my deadline support person. In some way, all of my heroes are modeled after him.

T4JYM: Besides writing, what other work have you found fulfilling?

LG: One of my favorite positions was as an adjunct professor at Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon. I taught composition, argument, and creative writing. I went back to college after my four children were all in school and received a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing with the goal of teaching on the college level. I retired a few years ago from teaching to focus solely on my writing, and what I miss the most are the students. Most were freshman and sophomores and I have to say, they absolutely taught me more than I taught them.

T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their work?

LG: Write! But also study writing by reading books about writing and taking classes too. Follow writers, literary agents, editors, and publishers on social media, blogs, Substack—or wherever you find your information. Gain an understanding of story structure, the elements of fiction, and how to tell a riveting story. Educate yourself on what it takes to publish traditionally and to self-publish. Find a writing group or start one that will give you feedback on your writing and also provide you a deadline to complete projects. Consider joining a local writers’ group in your area that offers quarterly or monthly meetings and, hopefully, conferences where you can learn about writing and network with writers. I’ve encountered lots of teenagers and people in their early twenties at conferences and in writing groups who have had great success. The sooner you start learning and networking the better!

T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?

LG: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30-31

1. Love and serve God.
2. Love and serve others.
3. Love and take care of yourself.

That’s it.

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