“Not your dad’s Judaism:” How Fantasy author J.S. Gold is Creating a New Jewish Mythos

1)      What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.

J.S. Gold

2)      What is your genre and what drew you to it?

My genre is Fantasy, specifically Urban Fantasy.  Speculative fiction is really good at externalizing the internal.  In more literary works, growth comes in actions or slight shifts in behavior.  But with magic, that growth can be visualized.  Our hero gains a new magic ability, or an aura of power.  Writing that visual transcendence is intoxicating.

3)      Do you prefer writing dialogue, action or other scenes?

Those who have read my writing might think I prefer action scenes, as audiences respond well to them, but in fact I prefer one-on-one conversations, where characters are forced to exchange (and debate) worldviews.  There’s such an electric tension and meaning in two people duking it out, even if it’s just verbally.  

4)      Do you challenge yourself to writing sprints? If so, how long are they?

I would!  But I don’t have the time.  Between being a teacher and father of two kids under two, I have to be very deliberate with my writing time.

5)      What is the best time of day for you to write?

Mornings, usually from around 9 to noon.  The issue is I have to work during the week, so I try to write at that time on weekends if able, and then later in the day as a last resort.

6)      What is the most important bit of information you would want to tell a person interested in publishing a book?

Do it for yourself.  I thought publishing a novel would bestow upon me a sense of legitimacy, but the truth is that’s a gift only I can give myself.

7)      Do you attend writing conferences? If so, which ones?

I’ve been a proud member of The Write Workshops NYC for over ten years, headed by literary agent Jeff Ourvan.  The bonds I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned have been irreplaceable. It’s always good to be held accountable to others during writing, keeping you honest and on time with your benchmarks.

8)      How much description do you give to your book characters?

Externally not much.  I usually focus on hair and eye color, and a few other odd quirks or idiosyncrasies (one of them is an obsessive nail-biter).  I spend much more time internally, with each character representing an angle to the main theme of the work, exploring different dimensions to the central question. 

9)      Pick five books that are must-reads in your mind.

Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy, David McCullough’s “John Adams” and “1776,” and anything by James Baldwin.

10)  Where is your favorite place to read?

In bed.  Preferably with steaming tea beside me.

11)  Name one of your favorite authors.

Robin Hobb.  She has a knack for not just character work, but also settings in transition.  She captures well the bitterness of change, and how that change pressures characters into hard choices that crystalize their essence.  

12)  Do you prefer to read series or independent novels?

Series.  I want to invest in longer arcs, as they usually hold more weight once they’re done.

13)  If you could take one item out of any book that you have ever read, what would it be or why?

Not quite an item, but a daemon from the Golden Compass.  I’d love to know what form mine would take.  I’m thinking a bear?

14)  What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.

The Sanhedrin Chronicles is the name of the first book in the series, though the series title will likely change to The Sanhedrin Chronicles upon the release of subsequent volumes. 

The back-cover summary:

"A Modern Fantasy Where Ancient Hebrew Mysticism Comes Alive On The Streets Of New York." 

College student and certified nerd Arthur Rose has issues:  he's estranged from his Jewish faith, he needs a recommendation for grad school, and getting back with his ex, Lynn, is going to take more than an apology and chocolate.  He's trying to balance it all when he starts seeing shapes in the dark.  Soon after, a mysterious young woman approaches.  She tells him she killed his father and seeks a stone blessed by God Himself...

What follows is a tale ripped out of Arthur's wildest fantasies:  to protect the world from evil, he must join a secret order of Jewish demon-hunters that have spanned millennia.  He'll have to master Hebrew magic, uncover the secrets of his past and embrace his heritage.  In so doing, he won't just reclaim his faith, but become SANHEDRIN.

15)  Do you have a website? If so, what is it?

Yes!  Jsgoldauthor.com

16)  Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)

Jsgoldauthor @ Insta / TikTok / Substack