A JWWS Success Story
By Brenda Tawil
Click. It happened at last year’s JWWS Conference, JWWS 2017. What happened?
My status changed from an unknown, unpublished, aspiring writer to proud author of her first published novel.
This surprising development happened after other attempts at submitting my manuscript to several Jewish publishers without any luck, but with an encouraging word from one of them, and form letters from the others.
Now it is time for me to inform you that I am a great grandmother, who once worked as a retail copywriter. After years of deriving my income from secretarial jobs at Jewish organizations, I was inspired to return to writing during the three day snow storm in Yerushalayim. My interest was piqued when I heard about the writers’ conference, JWWS.
When I showed up at the registration desk of the JWWS Conference, happily surveying the lively participants and décor, the last thing on my mind was to pursue my own personal publication. Truthfully, I came to enjoy the day, the program, the workshops, the displays and the delicious lunch. Because at the JWWS I could be satisfied to participate in my favorite hobby, writing.
At two previous conferences that I attended, I failed to match up with a publisher. Some of them did not fit my requirements and some were not interested. At this conference, I did not set up any advance appointments with the publishing representatives available for interviews. I had given up on it.
Browsing and chatting at the conference, I wandered into the back room where the publishers’ tables were set up. I noticed a new sign: TFUTZA. I did not remember seeing it last year. I approached a friendly woman and admitted to her that I did not set up an appointment with Tfutza, but could she fit me in to discuss my manuscript. Sara Miriam Gross was warm and welcoming and encouraging right from the start.
I might add here that I am shy and reserved and not good at advancing myself. If not for JWWS, I would not have found this opportunity or made this opportunity for myself.
Sara Miriam Gross was indeed interested in my subject and my description. From beginning to end the entire Tfutza staff helped me with their talent and competence to complete my project: my first novel.
A childhood dream has come true, for I am now a published novelist. I would say, ‘it is never too late’, but that would be a cliché! Instead, I will say, thank you, JWWS, for giving this unique opportunity to religious Jewish women.
About Brenda Sasson Tawil
I am a Baalat Teshuva. This is important to know about me and my novel, because both are permeated with my desire to reach out to other baalei teshuva, to the ‘perplexed’, the unconvinced, and the erring among my beloved Jewish people. I myself made teshuva during my first trip to Israel. Previously, with a B.A. in English Literature, I worked as a retail copywriter. With an A.A.S. from the Fashion Institute of Technology, later on, I also worked as a children’s’ wear designer. I became a secretary when my husband, a”h, needed help starting his own business. I did the office work. Later, as a widow, I used this experience to work as a secretary under the auspices of wonderful rabbis and Jewish organizations. I made aliyah after I retired. My three children and my grandchildren still live in the U.S. In Israel, my interest in and appreciation of the long and arduous history of the Jewish people became an inspiration. I wished to convey my knowledge and my understanding into a readable, interesting form, namely, the historical novel.
This is it: Strangers in a Foreign Land, just now released by Tfutza Publications.
