Authors Answer: Emily B. Scialom
Authors Answer Q&A #575
Author interviews almost always focus on questions regarding an author’s latest publication (and that’s great because it’s how readers discover new books!) but sometimes it’s fun to ask authors to talk about their lives beyond the book they’ve just written. Authors Answer (started as a blog in 2020, moved onto Substack in 2025), is an attempt to give authors space to wax eloquent about the other influences on their writing. The questions posed here move beyond the formulaic classics like, “What books are on your nightstand?” or “What book inspired you to be a writer?” and even “You’re having a dinner party….which three authors (dead or alive) do you invite?” There are 20 standing questions. Authors pick FIVE that they want to answer.
Are you an author? Visit the Questions page to learn more about participating.
Today’s post features Emily B. Scialom.
Emily B. Scialom is an award-winning, multi-genre author whose work has been praised for its insight, imagination, and emotional depth. Her debut novel, The Religion of Self-Enlightenment, has been hailed as a modern cult classic and won a Book Excellence Award, establishing her as a bold new literary voice. Based in Cambridge, England, Scialom’s talent emerged early. She became a nationally published poet as a child and was internationally published by seventeen. A graduate of Liverpool University with a BA in Communications, Media and Popular Music, she evolved from poetry and song writing into fiction, publishing The Rivers, Eternal Artist, My Searches for Meaning, Viajes Internos, A Moment of Perfection, and The Watch on the Beach. Her work has been featured on BBC Radio, displayed on a Times Square billboard, and celebrated on multiple magazine covers, earning her both national and international acclaim.
Instagram: @ebscialom
X (formerly Twitter): @emilybsci1
Are there particular films that have influenced your writing?
My favourite film of all time is Dances with Wolves, which won seven Oscars in the 1991 ceremony. Dances with Wolves explores the spiritual changes experienced by a soldier in the American Civil War, who ultimately befriends a Native American tribe after being posted at the furthest outpost of the frontier. The emphasis of this film on equal rights and the oneness of humanity directly influenced my writing, particularly my historical fiction novel A Moment of Perfection.
Favorite non-reading activity?
I enjoy playing guitar, singing and writing songs. This has resulted in the recording of an album and two EPs, which are now available on streaming sites under my name. I have written hundreds of songs and my musical endeavours were very much a preliminary stage to writing novels and poetry collections. Music will always be a great love of my life.
Is there a work of art that you love. Why? Have you ever visited it in person?
The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum by John Martin is my favourite artwork. It depicts what looks like a crowd of suffering and struggling people moving towards a light on the horizon. Although the intention was to portray the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, for me this depiction evokes a sense of people trying to get to Heaven. I visited the piece in person in a London museum circa 2014.
If you could create a museum exhibition, what would be the theme?
I think the portrayals of Jesus through the ages would make an interesting museum exhibition. Whether you believe in Christ as the Saviour of humanity or not, He is a pivotal figure in world history and watching the images of such an icon morph and change throughout the ages would be fascinating.
What do you worry about?
I worry about the future of the world for the children of today. With so many issues piling on top of one another, it’s difficult to envisage a world which will be bearable when young people today reach their prime. At the same time, one must have hope that at some point there will be a turnaround and archaic notions such as peace, love and harmony will come back into fashion.
Endnotes!
This newsletter is a passion project started by me, Elizabeth Rynecki, to try to help shine a light on new-to-me authors. I am also an author (and a documentary filmmaker and podcaster) and if you want to learn more about me, you can visit my website or read my personal newsletter, Ink Trails: A Chronicle in Creativity.
I’ve never made Authors Answer specific social media accounts, but you can find me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky.