Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me

Shireen Jilla at West End Lane Books

May 4, 2011 by Helena Halme 3 Comments

The cover of Shireen Jilla’s debut novel, Exiled, was what first attracted me to the book. The black and white view of a typical New York brownstones spoke to me in its simplicity, yet the red lettering implied of something sinister.

Last night when I met Shireen Jilla (dressed in smart New York style in a black sleeveless shirt-dress and high heeled nude shoes) at West End Lane Books she told me she had to fight hard to keep the understated design. Here’s a debut novelist who knows her market and has guts, I thought.

Exiled is Jilla’s third complete novel, and like so many new authors, she too had to wait, and wait, and yet wait some more, before she got her first book published. ‘Patience is the most important quality a novelist can have,’ she says.

Shireen Jilla

Exiled is a tightly knit, fast paced book that you just cannot put down. (I speak from experience) It tells the story of Anna, who together with her American diplomat husband, Jessie, and their 4-year-old son move to New York. But her ‘romantic dream turns into a dark battle’ when disaster after disaster falls upon her. The reason for her unhappiness isn’t just the cultural difference between London and New York (where 4-year-olds can be ‘under-scheduled’ and a case of head lice is ‘an infestation on the community’). It’s also the overpowering presence of Anna’s immaculate Upper East Side mother-in-law, ‘the thinnest person I had seen who didn’t have cancer’. As the plot thickens Nancy comes to play a ‘crucial and destructive part’ in Anna’s demise.

Due to her journalistic background (she works for The Standard and The Times), Shireen Jilla places great importance on the editing process. ‘I have no qualms about cutting out whole passages.’ In fact the first draft of Exiled included another whole plot stream where the protagonist, Anna, back in England, reflects back to her New York life. ‘All the action was in New York,’ Jilla reflects. Removing those paragraphs caused a re-write, which in turn made the novel such a quick and enticing read.

Signed copies of Shireen Jilla’s debut novel, Exiled are now available at West End Lane Books and England’s Lane Books, at £12.00.

Shiren Jilla is also going to be appearing at The Telegraph Hay Festival on Tuesday 31st May 2011.

You may also like:

Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 29 Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 28 Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 30 Default ThumbnailLosing it

Comments

  1. Alison Cross says

    May 5, 2011 at 7:03 am

    Sounds like a great book. Are you enjoying having the authors in store? I am so envious I've gone a fetching shade of green 🙂

    Ali x

    Reply
  2. Helena Halme says

    May 8, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Oh, Alison, I never thought I'd be doing something like this – it's a dream come true.

    Helena xx

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    December 12, 2012 at 1:26 am

    [url=http://www.northfaceoutletsm.com/]the north face outlet locations[/url] Here are some tips for the girls who like heels. http://www.discontnfjacketsclearance.com/#o840 beings unique removing the a new player, massive looks like quite good. the winter months is part of this film as well as in a bitter winter, [url=http://www.cheapoutdoorjackets.com/#541]the north face jackets[/url]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

Read an Exclusive First Chapter

NEW

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Follow me on Instagram

First time on the Elizabeth Line. #elizabethline First time on the Elizabeth Line. 
#elizabethline #londonlife #tube #farringdon
I’m into orange at the moment, I wonder why? 😄🧡📙
Five weeks to publication of AN ISLAND HEATWAVE today. 💃
https://mybook.to/AIH #linkinbio
What a lovely surprise! AN ISLAND HEATWAVE has hi What a lovely surprise! 
AN ISLAND HEATWAVE has hit #No1 on Amazon.💃
The novel is now on pre-order offer. 
https://mybook.to/AIH
Link also in bio. 😉🧡📙
It’s a frosty, sunny morning in North London. Fe It’s a frosty, sunny morning in North London. Feels a bit like home. 🥶🇫🇮🇬🇧
Load More Follow on Instagram

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

writing and publishing tips

Read Exclusive First Chapter

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in