Dreams of Drowning follows a woman living illegally in Toronto who is seeking to escape the scandal surrounding her twin sister’s death, where she makes unexpected discoveries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The book began with old memories of living in Toronto as an expat involved with Greek students fighting to free their country from a military junta. However, the story soon became entangled with the grief I experienced following my sister’s death, and the yearning for a magical resolution that would provide comfort and closure. Welcome to the world of my dreams translated onto the pages of my novel.

Each character has a moment that changes their life and leads them to where they are. Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?

I started to say that while fictional characters generally have dramatic, life-changing experiences, most real lives are shaped by the gradual accumulation of small tragedies and triumphs over time. However, I’ve now reconsidered. On second thought, most of us experience an extraordinary moment that alters the trajectory of our lives. We accept or reject love, lose a loved one, survive a serious illness, leave a city, a marriage, or a job. Maybe we read novels to learn how fictional characters find their way through such treacherous times and overcome the obstacles we all face.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The book’s overriding theme is the persistence of love. Death doesn’t diminish Amy’s love for her sister or Jacob’s love for his wife. Their lives go on despite their losses. They change and grow, but their love remains constant. Other themes include the fragility of democracy and the need for citizens to remain vigilant in its defense, and maybe there is something mysterious and magical just beneath the surface of the world we know, something we can sense but can’t explain.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

I’ve just started work on a novel that takes place in Cleveland during the run-up to World War II. It’s partly a family drama, partly a love story, partly an investigation of the American-Jewish community’s response to antisemitism in Europe – and there’s a ghost. That’s all I’m saying for the moment. Sadly, I don’t expect the book to be available until late in 2026.

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