Podcast appearance on Book Lover's Companion

"We had never visited Bulgaria before. We utilized the two years living in Sofia to travel extensively around Bulgaria, to learn about its culture and history, to visit its picturesque villages and see its stunning nature. We fell in love with the country. I've always desired to be a writer and when the two-year contract ended and we came back to Israel I realized that I could go back to Bulgaria every day through my writing, and that's when I began to write about Bulgaria."

I joined Edith from Book Lover's Companion to talk about my collection of short stories in and about Bulgaria, my adventures, and my love for this country.

"Last Rounds" Published in POSTBOX

My story "Last Rounds" has been published in POSTBOX - Scotland's International Short Story Magazine.

When I invite my customers to order their last drinks, several raise their fingers, sure I’ll remember what they previously ordered. One more beer, one more vodka. Another Gin & Tonic. In the darkened room, several night owls linger at their tables, heads low, engaged in whispered conversation. One man sits alone on a stool at the far end of the bar. He’s wearing a red plaid shirt and sports a thin gray goatee and wise eyes. My age, maybe a few years younger. He's been sitting there for about thirty minutes or so. He calls me over.

Read the full story and purchase the magazine here: https://www.redsquirrelpress.com/product-page/issue-10-autumn-2024-postbox-magazine

Rakiya review - Kat Loves Books

Rakiya: Stories of Bulgaria by Ellis Shuman is an anthology of short stories about…you guessed it – Bulgaria. As with any anthology, I will review each short story on it’s own.

Rakiya… The spring competition of who makes the best Rakiya – an alcoholic beverage. This was okay, a story of friendship.  3 stars

Mother and Daughter… A Roma lives with her daughter above a bakery.  They live off anything they are given, or can steal.  The mother believes she is doing everything for her daughter.  This was just sad.  2 stars

Sozopol…  A writers conference turns deadly.  Really good twist.  4 stars

Three Women in Sofia… An American decides to attend classes in Bulgaria, and meets three women who taught him more than he could have expected.  Really quite good.  4 stars

Lockdown… Two young girls are charged with a crime when entering Bulgaria during lockdown.  This was a really good story.  5 stars

Overall, these stories are of a country of which I knew very little (as mentioned by the author), and he has, indeed, broadened my knowledge.  The countryside sounds wonderful, and the people diverse.  The author has incorporated attributes of human nature into these stories that are not necessarily unique to Bulgarians, but in a setting that is.  He writes very well, and the stories are entertaining, if often sad.

Read the full review of all of the stories on Kat Loves Books.