In Conversation with Voula Monoholias
Q: What first drew you to storytelling?
We are all stories. The ones we inherit, the ones we live, and the ones we carry forward. I have always been drawn to how stories shape us and how we use them to understand ourselves and one another. Storytelling felt like a natural way to make meaning of experience and to preserve the moments that connect us.
Q: How has your life experience shaped your creative voice?
As a flight attendant, I have spent years moving between places and cultures. Being constantly in motion teaches you a lot about home, belonging, and what people carry with them emotionally. That perspective shapes how I write and what I choose to explore.
Q: What inspired Love, Berkley?
Love, Berkley is a true story I experienced. Each time I shared Berkley’s story, people responded deeply. There was something about his journey and the bond between humans and animals that consistently moved them. Those moments made it clear that this was a story meant to be shared.
Continuing The Conversation
Q: The book is written for children, but adults connect with it deeply. Was that intentional?
Very much so. Children’s stories do not need to be limited in emotional depth. I wanted to create something that children could feel safe inside, while also offering adults space for reflection when they read alongside them.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from your work?
I hope readers feel seen and reminded that love is not singular or simple. It shows up in companionship, care, and quiet persistence. Those forms of love deserve just as much attention.
Q: What does this debut represent for you creatively?
Love, Berkley feels like the beginning of a longer conversation. It marks my commitment to telling stories that honour tenderness, courage, and connection, without needing to explain them away.
