Soulla Christodoulou is a Greek-Cypriot author from the UK who writes contemporary romance. Keep reading to learn more about her.
Q&A with Soulla Christodoulou
You know I love supporting other authors. This month, Soulla Christodoulou, another author from the UK. Earlier this year she featured me in her VIP newsletter. She’s passionate about Cyprus and storytelling, and you must meet her. Read on!
ABOUT SOULLA CHRISTODOULOU
Where are you from?
I am a UK Greek-Cypriot with my roots firmly on the rich soil of Cyprus; my father is from Ayios Tychonas in the Amathus district of Limassol and my mother is from Kato Lefkara in the district of Larnaca.
Where do you live now?
I have always lived in the UK though once in a while, and especially since I have hit my 50s, dream about living in a refurbished village house somewhere between the Cypriot pine-filled mountains and the golden beaches and warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Do you have a day job?
My day job is that of an editor which fills my days with catching mistakes and adding polish to other authors’ books. It’s a rewarding job and one which I can do remotely which means I can often be abroad holidaying and working at the same time. I also offer private English tutoring — I used to be a secondary school teacher — and this keeps me in touch with younger readers too. The stories they write are out of this world and I marvel at their beautiful, exciting imaginations.

TRAVEL TO CYPRUS
How often do you travel to Cyprus?
Until Covid-19 hit I would go to Cyprus every year, but this year was the first time I have returned with my family. It was a beautiful time of reconnection and reunion, and I loved connecting with my cousins and many aunts and uncles again after so long.

WRITING ABOUT CYPRUS
When did you start writing?
I started writing in January 2015, though I have always been a writer; journalling, keeping a diary, and penning poetry. My mother’s ongoing cancer diagnosis and treatments almost pushed me over the edge and I burnt out, emotionally and physically. I wanted something to spark that something inside of me again. I signed up for a creative writing course and this has brought me to a place of writing (and editing) full time.
When did you know you had to set your books on Cyprus?
The first book I set in Cyprus was The Summer Will Come, which is primarily my parents’ families’ story of leaving Cyprus in the 50s to make a new life in London. The story came about after spending time with my mum during her cancer ordeal… her stories and many memories of growing up in Cyprus and later coming to the UK. Also my dad’s stories fascinated me and I began to weave the story in my head. After hours and hours of talking, of research on the internet and consulting books about the history of Cyprus I decided to write the book.
Are all of your books set on Cyprus?
I am a spiritual person of two halves. Part of my identity is painted by my experiences of growing up in the UK, as a British citizen, while part of me yearns to go back to my parents’ homeland. Because of this, I tend to write books based in the UK and in Cyprus.
Where do you get your ideas/inspiration?
Simply: life. I am a quiet observer of life all around me whether that is people, places, world news, conversations, songs and of course, books I have read. I don’t believe there is ever a completely unique idea out there. All stories are retold and changed and tweaked and with our voices and our experiences we add our own twists and turns which stories ours.

BOOKS
When did you publish your first book? Tell us about it.
I self-published my first book in August 2017. Broken Pieces of Tomorrow is based on my own story of marriage breakdown, getting back into the dating scene and the ups and downs of doing so after being with my husband for 22 years. It is an emotional read but one which readers have commented on has given them hope, courage, and inspiration to take action and change things in their own lives. It is a personal story though some parts are fictionalised for the purpose of entertainment.
How many books have you published so far?
I have five published novels, one short story, and a collection of poetry.
How have they been received?
I cannot tell you how delighted I am at the reactions and reviews I receive, though I read these less and less now. When I first published my first book I was obsessed with checking and reading all the reviews that came in across every platform imaginable, but I have since taken the foot off the pedal and I enjoy the messages I receive much more.
You have a new book coming out. Tell us about it.
Yes! I am so excited about this for so many reasons. This book has taken me the longest to write (I wrote the first words back in 2017), It’s about love and relationships (a subject which I am fascinated by), set in Kefalonia, Greece (where I had the most wonderful family holiday!)

WRAPPING UP
Do you blog?
I kept my blog running for the longest time but over the past year or so, and with the introduction of my newsletter, I have taken my foot off the blogging pedal. I may go back to it someday and when I do it will be all in.
What would you tell someone who’s never been to Cyprus before?
I would tell them that this is an island of many traditions, a colourful and sometimes painful history. It has as many landscapes as you can imagine: the blue of the Mediterranean, the pine-smelling covered mountains, the cool spring mountain waterfalls, idyllic villages with stone houses and tiny courtyards, tavernas with live bands and dancing, a warmth uncoupled by any other country with beautiful monasteries and churches too. In fact, the Greek-Cypriots believe in filoxenia, which means “friend to a stranger”. This really does encapsulate the love and hospitality of its people.
It is a diverse and cosmopolitan island which once visited will never be forgotten. It always pains me to know that its people have been separated by war with the south of the island being Greek-Cypriot dominated and the north now inhabited by Turks after the island’s invasion in July 1974 by Turkey and their continued occupation of a third of the island.
What’s next for you?
I have another fiction story, called The Pastry Girl of Malta, which I began writing, in a tiny notebook I bought in a tourist store, during my holiday to Valletta, Malta in March 2023. It incredible being swallowed up by the urgent need to write and it’s a story which I am so excited about because after writing The Magic of Miramare I was already feeling lost without another story to dive into. I have had to put it to the side for now, quite unwillingly because of the number of client editing commissions I have taken on. But it’s a good time to take a break with three books out in three years which has been quite a rollercoaster of a journey and I know that when the time is right, I will be ready to continue writing it.
Anything else you want to share?
I love sharing stories and my own experience of publishing, books and behind-the-scenes snippets through my newsletter and hope that your readers will sign up so we can continue this journey of sharing all things books and reading and writing together. I am also active on Instagram and Facebook. Thank you so much for having me here.
Connect with Soulla Christodoulou
Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook , Pinterest, Scriggler
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