Welcome back to book news today, I have our second author interview for the year . Today’s author interview is with Havelah Mc Lat ahead with the launch of her book The Silent Journey tomorrow (23rd March 2026 - Havelahs time).
Arjaye-Rose: Hi Welcome, Havelah and thanks for joining us today for this interview. What inspired you to write The Silent Journey?
Havelah: As a young girl who was hard of hearing, I didn’t read books featuring a protagonist with a disability. I thought it would be interesting to write one from that perspective. Fun fact: this is not my first time wanting to write a story about a deaf protagonist. I tried two times before The Silent Journey came around, but this would third story completely drafted, edited millions of times, and published. The story concept itself is heavily inspired by the 1995 film adaption of A Little Princess. I absolutely adore the film and the relationship between the daughter and the father and how they reunite at the end. I thought, “what if a character is deaf, but coming from Ukraine to America, and searching for her Papa?
Havelah: As a young girl who was hard of hearing, I didn’t read books featuring a protagonist with a disability. I thought it would be interesting to write one from that perspective. Fun fact: this is not my first time wanting to write a story about a deaf protagonist. I tried two times before The Silent Journey came around, but this would third story completely drafted, edited millions of times, and published. The story concept itself is heavily inspired by the 1995 film adaption of A Little Princess. I absolutely adore the film and the relationship between the daughter and the father and how they reunite at the end. I thought, “what if a character is deaf, but coming from Ukraine to America, and searching for her Papa?
Arjaye-Rose: Wow that is so amazing, I didn’t know that this wasn’t your first time writing about a deaf protagonist. The inspiration behind The Silent Journey is amazing! Relationships can be so beautiful and complex at the same time, I was excited when I saw that this book was middle grade and featured a deaf protagonist. What do you hope readers take away from The Silent Journey?
Havelah: I want young readers to feel seen, appreciated, and accepted for who they are and reminded that they are courageous, resilient, and loved.
Arjaye-Rose: So often children don’t see themselves in books or the characters are portrayed in a way that pity’s them. I feel it’s so important for children to see characters like themselves and their peers in books that they can relate to and also show that they can do things to and things can be adapted for them too.
What is the most important message in The Silent Journey?
Havelah: The most important message would be found family, friendship, courage and resilience.
Arjaye-Rose: All of these are really important messages especially finding courage and being resilient.
[Start of image description: Havelah holding a copy of The Silent Journey with a window in the background. End of image description.]
Arjaye-Rose: How long did it take to write The Silent Journey?
Havelah: When I first started the concept it would be 2018-2019. The Silent Journey story had gone through so many revisions I lost count. The hardest is figuring which narrative to write in. I usually write third -person limited, it for this story, it wasn’t working, I tried both ways (third and first person) and found the first person point of view works the best because we get to see the protagonist’s eyes. It wasn’t easy but I learned a lot along the way.
Havelah: When I first started the concept it would be 2018-2019. The Silent Journey story had gone through so many revisions I lost count. The hardest is figuring which narrative to write in. I usually write third -person limited, it for this story, it wasn’t working, I tried both ways (third and first person) and found the first person point of view works the best because we get to see the protagonist’s eyes. It wasn’t easy but I learned a lot along the way.
Arjaye-Rose: I love that it’s written in the first person and that we get to experience it through her eyes and point of view. Was it a hard decision to decide to self publish The Silent Journey after querying it for it to be traditionally published?
Havelah: I wouldn’t say it was a hard decision to make. I have queried before. I thought if The Silent Journey was published by a traditional publisher that focuses on kid’s literature, my book will get into schools and libraries and be recommended by teachers etc. So, I gave another shot. After querying for almost years and seeing the shift in the publishing industry, especially the genres in MG/YA (like fantasy and contemporary, not much on historical fiction) I decided to self publish it. To be honest, I’m glad I did. I have a bit more room to breathe and figure out what I wanted to do.
Arjaye-Rose: I hope that The Silent Journey will still get into schools and, libraries and be recommended by teachers etc. I hadn't realised how long you did query for, though I did know you queried it for a while. Im glad self publishing gave you time to figure things out and what you wanted to do etc. Was it easy to switch from writing young adult to writing middle grade, as this is your first middle grade book.
Havelah: Actually I have written stories that were for younger readers (not sure when I will publish those) but I can say this is my one true MG book I have published. The biggest challenge I faced is finding the right balance between making it feel like a kid and not making it older than they are.
Arjaye-Rose: I look forward to seeing the other MG stories you have written. As an author I understand what you mean about not making it older than they are and to write from a child’s perspective. What are your favourite Ukrainian foods?
Havelah: I actually never had any Ukrainian food till recently last December. I made this yummy pancake called Syrnyky. They are delicious. In a few weeks my brother and I are going to see a play and eat at a Ukrainian restaurant.
[Start of image description: a collage picture of a bridge, a little girl, a train at the top. The next row of picture is the Statue of Liberty, The Silent Journey book by Havelah McLat and a picture of a tree with no leaves and birds flying in the sky. The bottom row is a girl in a white dress running, a house covered in snow and a girl signing with her hands. End of image description.]
Arjaye-Rose: The Syrnyky you shared a reel of on instagram look so yummy, everyone you should go and check it out. I hope you have a lovely time at the play and eating Ukrainian food too.
Did you do a lot of research for the story?
Havelah: For me I read a lot of books, googling information, and sometimes connecting with people who live there. I think the one that sticks with me the most is people who survived the horrible famine. Even though I only read five chapters of the non fiction book and read two novels, the details and how they had to deal with the it and why many fled to escape for a better life ingrained in my mind.
Havelah: For me I read a lot of books, googling information, and sometimes connecting with people who live there. I think the one that sticks with me the most is people who survived the horrible famine. Even though I only read five chapters of the non fiction book and read two novels, the details and how they had to deal with the it and why many fled to escape for a better life ingrained in my mind.
Arjaye-Rose: That is really good about the research for the story, sometimes things do stick in your mind. Why was it important to you to have disability representation?
Havelah: I have read a few MG/YA books with deaf representation, but I don’t see MG books set in different periods like the 1930’s for example. I read one book (a trilogy actually) Show Me A Sign set in the 1880’s. I just thought about what would be like for a deaf girl in the 1930’s and how her life would be like. While I appreciate there is diversity and disability representation in contemporary and fantasy, we also need more historical fiction too. There are so many things we can learn from the past and how things were for people with disabilities at the time.
Arjaye-Rose: It sure is important to see disability representation in books, I haven’t seen much disability representation in historical books. What is your biggest writing achievement?
Havelah: I get to publish Dust And Crown. It is like a sweet candy with all the favourite flavours you loved growing up. I grew up watching Disney Fairies movies. I fell in love with all the magical elements of the fairy world and nature, I would design fairy outfits and stories in my head etc. Which led me to write short fiction. As I got older, I got into Anastasia Romanov and the history of the royal family. I loved the animation movie and the Broadway musical. Now you know why Dust and Crown is my favourite story I have written.
Havelah: I get to publish Dust And Crown. It is like a sweet candy with all the favourite flavours you loved growing up. I grew up watching Disney Fairies movies. I fell in love with all the magical elements of the fairy world and nature, I would design fairy outfits and stories in my head etc. Which led me to write short fiction. As I got older, I got into Anastasia Romanov and the history of the royal family. I loved the animation movie and the Broadway musical. Now you know why Dust and Crown is my favourite story I have written.
Arjaye-Rose: I had no idea that’s why Dust And Crown was your favourite story that you have written, the Romanov family are quite interesting. What would you love to achieve with your writing?
Havelah: I have this manuscript I had been working on for years. It is a time track (previously it was a portal fantasy, not anymore) and I want to fully rewrite it to where it feels like it is completed. I had to go through a major rewrite in it. I haven’t touched it since 2025. I reread it and the concept is not bad at all. But it needs more world building and emotions and romance. To answer your question, that would be the one I would love to achieve in my writing.
Havelah: I have this manuscript I had been working on for years. It is a time track (previously it was a portal fantasy, not anymore) and I want to fully rewrite it to where it feels like it is completed. I had to go through a major rewrite in it. I haven’t touched it since 2025. I reread it and the concept is not bad at all. But it needs more world building and emotions and romance. To answer your question, that would be the one I would love to achieve in my writing.
Arjaye-Rose: It sounds so interesting with the time travel and I think I remember hearing about the portal fantasy. What do you love about writing?
Havelah: My favourite part of writing books is to explore the characters’ minds and their journeys. I like to create complex backstories. That part is my absolute favourite because they are fun to write. Who doesn’t. I know there are writers who like to do world building, it for me, I like to create backstories and figure out the plot and have fun.
Arjaye-Rose: I always love reading the back stories you’ve written, I think it’s important to have fun while writing. I love world building and exploring characters journeys. What hobbies do you enjoy doing when you aren’t writing?
Havelah: I like to draw for fun, read books, take a walk or ride a bike, do fun crafts like crochet, travel around (I have visited nine states so far), watch YouTube or listen to music, and spend time with my family.
Arjaye-Rose: Thank you for doing this interview and sharing more about your writing and The Silent Journey with us, I’ve found it really interesting especially with the fun facts. You can find Havelah’s books on Amazon, Bookshop.org or request on Libby or other digital libraries.
[Start of image description: a photo of Havelah smiling, she is wearing a burgundy dress with a cross necklace. She has her brown curly hair down and she is wearing a silver crown in the background is wooden doors. End of image description.]
The Silent Journey by Havelah McLat
A Middle Grade Historical Novel
A historical fiction packed with resilience, identity, and finding one’s voice against the backdrop of historical upheaval.
Themes of:
- Immigrant goes to America
- Features a deaf main character
- Historical content
- Talks about searching for a loved one
- A twist on A Little Princess
Ways to keep in touch with Havelah McLat
Instagram @havelahmclatwriter
Facebook @havelahmclattheauthor
Pinterest @havelahmclatauthor
Goodreads @havelahmclat
Website @havelahmclat
Newsletter - sign up through her website.
Amazon @havelahmclat
Thank you for visiting Cozy Woodland Cottage Knits!
We hope you had fun on our first book tour for a cover reveal, arc opportunity and more. Thanks for coming today. Don’t forget to keep in touch with Havelah McLat to keep up to date with the latest news about The Silent Journey and more books by her,
[Start of image description: Arjaye-Rose’s signature with a blue feather floating in the air. Below is a meadow with yellow flowers with a log, on one of the branches is an owl below it is a hedgehog going into the log. Next to the log is basket of white yarn with a dandelion next to it. In the middle is a dandelion, two toadstools and a black cat running through the grass. End of image description.]
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