Michael Weiss, author of A Thousand Gates of Prayer, recently published on January 30, 2025.
Who is Michael Weiss?
I had the distinct privilege of meeting author Michael Weiss on Threads, a social media platform designed as a means for joining public conversations, sharing random thoughts, connecting with others who share similar interests, and networking. I ran across a post from Michael looking for ARC readers for his at the time, upcoming debut romance book, and I jumped at the chance to join his team. His book promised "a poignant and unforgettable tale of love, resilience, and the power of hope, set against the breathtaking landscapes of Japan", I mean, how could I resist. If my memory serves me, it was only a day or two later and I got the email stating I was accepted to join his ARC team. A few days after that, I received A Thousand Gates of Prayer, and dove in head first. I was absolutely drawn to the culture of the story, vivid imagery of the setting, and beauty in the writing of the words themselves.
I devoured the tale within three days' time and I felt so satisfied upon completion, nourished both in mind and heart. The story was indeed rich with familial ties, tradition, and love. Michael showcased lively characters who were not only well-developed, each with their own unique quirks and backgrounds that added layers to the narrative. He wove value into the curation of this story with flawless ability and ease, making sure that each character's journey was meaningful and contributed to the overarching themes of the book. The way he portrayed the dynamics within families, the significance of cultural traditions, and the power of love made the reading experience not just entertaining but also enlightening. Keep reading to learn more about Michael Weiss and his responses to the interesting questions I sent him.
The Interview
Chapter Chirp:Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you decided to become an author?
Michael Weiss: My name is Michael Weiss, I’m a 50 years old Israeli author, living in Jerusalem, Israel. I’m the father of 4 adorable children and married to an incredible woman whose name is Yael. I’ve started my writing career as a journalist in Israel’s largest newspapers, but a few years later left the journalism world, as I wanted to follow my passion as an entrepreneur. I’ve established several successful businesses, mostly in tourism and travel, which also gave me an opportunity to travel over 30 countries, and get fascinated by the richness of our world.
I’ve been writing 2 books by now, but only recently have decided to publish them as a self-publisher, by establishing my own publishing house, which I’ve chosen to call ‘Timeless Love Publishing”. My mission, through "Timeless Love Publishing", is to bring the world closer together by sharing powerful, captivating love stories from every corner of the globe. I’m dedicated to curating and publishing novels that delve into the complexities of love in all its forms, set against the backdrop of diverse cultures, real-life challenges, and timeless traditions. I invite my readers to discover our world, one love story at a time.
Chapter Chirp: How long did it take you to write your current title and what was your inspiration for this book?
Michael Weiss: Well, I can say it took me like an hour to create the storyline in my head, taking some notes to see all pieces are getting together, and then, since starting the book, I would say about 4-5 months, including working with a Japanese assistant who helped me with fact-checking.
Chapter Chirp: What is your favorite thing about this book (i.e: character(s), theme, title, cover art, etc.) and why?
Michael Weiss: To start with, I like the cover of the book very much. I feel it captures the essence of Japanese culture very powerfully, and realizes the title in a wonderful way. I can only hope my next covers will follow this level of accuracy. I’m also very hooked to the title of the book, as we pray and hope daily for things to happen, or not happen, but prayer is always considered as something spiritual and not tangible, and with these Torii gates, I feel it brings down to earth the power of prayer, and the power of it through the many thousands of Torii gates location in the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
Chapter Chirp: What was the most surprising thing that you learned while writing your latest book?
Michael Weiss: Since I’ve used the help of a wonderful Japanese assistant which helped me with fact-checking not only “dry facts” such as names of places, foods, clothes and alike, but also with relationships and emotions, it was truly fascinating to learn about the Japanese people and culture. How they talk to each other, the importance of body language in their personal communication, and even their scope of dreams and hopes.
Chapter Chirp: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to write a book and become an author?
Michael Weiss: Writing isn’t a matter of muse, but all about discipline.
Chapter Chirp: Are you currently working on a new title, if so, can you share some teaser information about it?
Michael Weiss: Yes, my second book, called ‘Sunrise Over Numbi Gate’ which is a novel taking place in South Africa, a country I’ve visited with my family a few years ago and left me speechless by the controversy between the landscapes and nature at its best, along with serious challenges of crime, racism and social gaps between white and black people, like I never experienced before.
Final Thoughts
In closing, my interactions with Michael and his book have been nothing short of pleasant, professional, and filled with kindness. He is not only a talented author but also a genuinely warm individual who takes the time to engage with his readers. His passion for storytelling shines through in both his writing and his communication, making the entire experience feel personal and rewarding. It is clear that he values his audience and seeks to create connections through his work, which only enhances the enjoyment of his storytelling. Overall, this journey through Michael's narrative has left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more of his literary creations in the future. I would like to thank Michael for not only allowing me to read his work in advance, but also for sitting down and taking the time to let me interview him. I would like to encourage my readers to learn more about Michael and support his work by visiting his website https://timelesslovepublishing.com
Have you read A Thousand Gates of Prayer? What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below.
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