Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sonia Levitin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sonia, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Fictionalized trilogy of my family’s escape from Nazi Germany, beginning with JOURNEY TO AMERICA, which has remained in print for over fifty years and is considered a classic in Holocaust literature for young people. .
RETURN, a musical based on my novel The Return, my first experience at writing both script and lyrics and produced at the Edgemar Theater in Santa Monica. My first production, too.

Sonia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have wanted to be a writer since I was 8 years old, and with my mother’s quiet encouragement, I launched a neighborhood newspaper. Of course, it inevitably failed, the cost being higher than the proceeds. In college I studied writing with the esteemed novelist, Walter Van Tilburg Clark.

I am a volunteer speaker at the L.A. Museum of Tolerance, speaking to children, educators and law enforcement people about my family ‘s escape from Nazi Germany and providing information about totalitarian regimes.
I am also a member of the Jewish Speakers’ Bureau.

Taught Creative Writing for over 30 years at UCLA Extension.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I learned that everyone is important; everyone can help you reach your goals. Many years ago I scheduled a meeting with a well known editor in N.Y. and looked forward to telling her about my latest novel. She was called away to some family emergency and referred me to an assistant, who I mistaken believed had no authority in the publishing world. I was upset and resentful. I held back and did not try my best. That editor never called me again, and I realized I should have done my utmost to impress the assistant, to present my work and myself in the most engaging and energetic way possible. I learned that it is most important to present yourself and your work to everyone who is interested, to assume that you can be helpful to them, and they to you. Do not discount anyone because of their status or rank.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe that as artists we must support one another. Not only does this help the writer or the artist, but seeing the work of others is always inspiring and informative. I believe that the arts flourish when artists help one another, and that will expand the opportunities for society to experience and appreciate the arts. We should encourage our children to pursue their creative talents, at home and in school.

I have taught seminars on Nurturing Creativity for children and adults.

Contact Info:

• Website: sonialevitin.com