Author
Hello, I’m Julia, and I was born in the city of Minsk, Belarus. My life took a dramatic turn at the age of eleven when my family and I emigrated to the United States in search of a brighter future. With only five English words in my vocabulary, I stepped into the sixth grade, facing the challenges of a new language and culture head-on.
My love for books began early, but my passion for writing was ignited by a twist of fate. Six months after our arrival, I penned an essay in broken English, pouring out my heartache over leaving my friends and familiar life behind and the struggles of fitting into an American middle school. A substitute teacher saw something special in my raw, heartfelt words and encouraged me to explore creative writing.
Despite my deep-seated love for storytelling, my immigrant parents, wanting stability and success for their daughter, guided me toward practicality.
They believed in the security of a solid career, which led me to study Accounting and Finance at DePaul University, where I graduated with a double major. I later earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the same university and entered the corporate world, working for big companies like PepsiCo, Walgreens, Mondelez, and US Foods. However, the call of writing never faded.
I’ve been an active member of the Chicago Writers Association, where I’ve honed my craft and thrived within a rich literary community. My passion for creative writing has also led me to workshops at Northwestern University and mentorships under esteemed writers like Charles Salzberg, Hillel Black, and Jerry Cleaver.
Today, I live in a Chicago suburb with my husband, our two wonderful children—a daughter and a son—and our adorable toy poodle, Pepper.
Stay connected with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to follow my literary journey and more.
Sincerely,
Julia
