Leela Soma

Leela Soma was born in Madras, India and now lives in Glasgow. Her poetry and short stories have been published in a number of anthologies and publications, including The Scotsman, and Gutter magazine. She won the Margaret Thomson Davis Trophy for Best New Writer 2007 for her novel ‘Twice Born.’ Her second novel ‘Bombay Baby’ was published by Dahlia Publishing Limited in 2011. ‘Boxed In’ a short story collection ebook was published by The Pot Hole Press in 2013. She has served on the committee for the Milngavie Books and Arts Festivals and on the Scottish Writer's Centre Committee.

Credentials

Leela Soma in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

1999 Glasgow

What do you love about short stories?

They are punchy and every word matters.

Do you write in other forms?

Novels and poems

What distracts you from writing?

Laziness, family and friends (sometimes)

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Travel, socialising, eating dark chocolate!

What is your favourite book?

The Bhagavad Gita

Who are your favourite writers?

R.K. Narayan, Salman Rushdie and Jhumpa Lahiri

Where is your dream location?

Any tropical island

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Heavy metal music

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Read a lot and write every day!