Today we’d like to introduce you to Lya Badgley

Hi Lya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

On a dark and stormy monsoon night…
I was born in Yangon, Myanmar, to a Montana-born political scientist and an artist. Their eclectic interests set the stage for my life, which has been anything but ordinary.

I started my adult life dabbling in retail management, but after experiencing the London punk scene, I moved to Seattle and became part of its 1980’s arts and music community. I spent a decade as a struggling poet and musician, living the bohemian dream and soaking up all the city’s creative energy. Those were wild and marvelous times!

The 1990s brought a dramatic twist to my story. I decided to return to Southeast Asia, this time as a videographer on a clandestine expedition interviewing Burmese insurgents. It was risky and thrilling, and it felt important to document these untold stories. Not long after, I became the director of Cornell University’s Archival Project at the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide in Cambodia. My job was to microfilm documents that eventually helped bring war criminals to justice. It was heavy work but deeply rewarding.

After Cambodia, I switched gears and opened the 50th Street Bar & Grill Restaurant in Yangon. It was the first foreign-owned project of its kind then, and it felt amazing to bring people together in such a unique space.

Life kept evolving, and I embraced each new chapter. I became a proud mother, an elected city council member, and a dedicated environmental activist. Balancing all these roles was incredibly fulfilling, but the creative element remained missing.

Finally, in February 2022, I achieved a long-time dream by self-publishing my first novel, The Foreigner’s Confession, which was nominated for the 2023 Nancy Pearl Best of Fiction award. The positive reviews were a thrill and felt like a huge milestone. My second novel, The Worth of a Ruby, launched in Fall 2023 to more good reviews.

It took a lot of trial and error, but I’ve found my perfect life as an author, incorporating my diverse life experiences into books that educate and entertain. I want people to enjoy the story while being exposed to themes they might not otherwise explore.

These days, I call Snohomish, Washington home. It’s the perfect place to work on my third novel, which is set in Bosnia. I love weaving my global experiences into my stories, making each book a unique adventure.

From Yangon to Snohomish, videographer to novelist, activist to entrepreneur, my journey has been a whirlwind of creativity, resilience, and passion. I hope my story inspires others to follow their unique paths and make a difference in their own ways.

Living with purpose and creativity has made my life an incredible adventure, and I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Each of us carries our own unique set of burdens, but it’s our resilience and grace in managing them that truly define our strength and character.

In 1987, while preforming a show in support of my recently released album, I went blind in one eye. After several weeks of tests, the diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis. A sharp, stabbing pain in my left arm and back would stalk me for a decade as I progressively lost stamina and mobility, curtailing my life in many ways. MS sucks.

But, now, thirty plus years later, I can see the gift of that horrible diagnosis. When the worst has already happened, courage follows. I’m most grateful I found my joy in writing and not ballroom dancing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a author specializing in fiction that weaves together intricate narratives from my diverse life experiences. I write the books I like to read: edgy international suspense that transports you to a fascinating foreign setting while probing thought-provoking themes,

I aspire to write books of emotional depth, rich historical context, and compelling storytelling. I purposely choose a backdrop of places with a history of conflict and American influence – for better or worse. My intention is to blend personal history with broader cultural and political themes, creating stories that resonate with readers on multiple levels.

I am most proud of the success and positive reception of my first novel, The Foreigner’s Confession. Becoming a finalist for a prestigious award was a significant milestone in my writing career and validated my efforts and passion for storytelling. Seeing my work connect with readers and receiving their feedback has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I am excited about the accolades my second novel, The Worth of a Ruby, is receiving.

What sets you apart from others?

The unique blend of my personal and professional experiences sets me apart as an author. Growing up in a household that valued critical thinking and creativity, I’ve carried those principles into my writing. My diverse background—from my time in the Seattle arts and music scene to my experiences documenting Burmese insurgents and preserving historical records in Cambodia—provides a rich tapestry of material for my novels. This diversity of experience allows me to create authentic, multifaceted characters and intricate plots that stand out in commercial fiction. My commitment to social justice and environmental activism also infuses my stories with a sense of purpose and urgency, engaging readers with the narrative and the underlying messages.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?

Three of my favorite books – drawn from a list of hundreds!

Aminatta Forna – The Hired Man
Lawrence Osborne – The Forgiven
James Thurbur – The Thirteen Clocks

Here is a small fraction of the books I referenced for my two published novels:

The Foreigner’s Confession

Brother Number One – David Chandler
Voices from S-21 – David Chandler
Gecko Tails – Carol Livingston
Facing the Torturer – François Bizot
Beyond the Horizon: Five Years with the Khmer Rouge – Laurence Picq

The Worth of a Ruby

Burma, Rivers of Flavor – Naomi Duguid
Back to Mandalay: Burmese Life, Past and Present – Co & Bear Production Ltd
Burmese Days – George Orwell
The Lacquer Lady – F. Tennyson Jesse
Nor Iron Bars a Cage – Ma Thanegi
The Native Tourist: In Search of Turtle Eggs – Ma Thanegi
Red Peacocks: Commentaries on Burmese Socialist Nationalism – edited by John H. Badgley & Aye Kyaw
Irrawaddy Tango – Wendy Law-Yone
Twilight Over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess – Inge Sargent
The River of Lost Footsteps: Histories of Burma – Thant Myint – U
Burmese Looking Glass: A Human Rights Adventure and a Jungle Revolution – Edith T. Mirante

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lyabadgley.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyabadgleyauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyabadgleyauthor/