Julia Shraybman
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman
Author of Lucky Number 6
"It was difficult to put this well-written book down, and it kept me turning the pages as fast as possible. The ending was a big surprise. I did not see it coming or expect it at all." -Readers' Favorite
MATT. ALEXANDRA. OLIVIA. CHARLIE.
The only survivors when two gunmen opened fire in a Chicago coffee shop, leaving fourteen people dead. Matt, Alexandra, and Olivia are the "lucky" ones-spared when the gunmen forced hostages to count off, releasing only those marked with the number six. Charlie isn't as fortunate, miraculously surviving a bullet to her spine, which leaves her in a coma.
Two years later, their lives are in turmoil.
Matt struggles to open the bar he and his late friend had planned. Alexandra's dream job has turned into a nightmare of PTSD with a tyrannical boss. Olivia's marriage crumbled under the weight of guilt. And Charlie lies in a coma, paralyzed, trapped in a world no one can reach.
Then, a chance encounter with a mysterious woman changes everything. A fluke roulette win gives Matt the funds he needs. Alexandra's terrible boss is suddenly fired, and she's promoted. Olivia's husband returns. And Charlie begins to show signs of waking up. But the woman who brought them this luck has a dark secret-and a vendetta.
In this psychological thriller with a supernatural twist, survival is just the beginning...
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman
Author I draw inspiration from:
Kristin Hannah - The Nightingale
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Coffee shop
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Amy Dunne from Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Well, I’d start by hiding anything sharp. Then I’d ask her about plot twists, fake identities, and how she manages to be terrifying and fascinating at the same time. By the time we’re rescued, she’s either given me a masterclass in manipulation… or I’ve agreed to help her fake her death. Again.
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I didn’t plan to be a writer—I just couldn’t ignore the stories that kept showing up. At eleven, I moved from Minsk to the U.S. knowing five English words. In middle school, drowning in ESL classes and culture shock, I wrote a messy little essay about leaving home. A substitute teacher read it and said, “Keep writing.” So I did.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I love them all—hardbacks feel official, paperbacks are travel-friendly, ebooks let me sneak-read at 2 a.m., and audiobooks make traffic bearable.
The last book I read:
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. I absolutely loved it!
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer, mostly. But when I'm stuck, there’s something about scribbling with a pen that helps me unravel tough scenes or figure out what my characters aren’t telling me.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Emily Charlton from The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. We’d bond over our shared ability to thrive under pressure, sarcasm, and a mutual appreciation for getting things done—no matter how impossible the task. Plus, I think we’d have a lot of fun roasting the world together.
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Psychologist
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I’d have to go with European fashion today—particularly the clean lines, sleek tailoring, and effortless sophistication that brands like Chanel, Balenciaga, and Dior bring. There’s a timelessness to it, but it also feels fresh, innovative, and always a little ahead of the curve.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Japan. The country’s history, art, and landscapes. I’m drawn to its quiet beauty and how its culture tells stories in subtle, powerful ways.
My signature drink:
Champagne!
Favorite artist:
Claude Monet
Number one on my bucket list:
Skydiving. I’m terrified of heights, but one day I’ll conquer my fears.
Find more from the author:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/juliashraybmanauthor
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/juliashraybman/
Twitter - https://x.com/ShraybmanJulia
About Julia Shraybman:
Author Interview - Julia Shraybman
Julia Shraybman is a bilingual, Chicago-based writer who was born in Belarus. She came to the United States at an early age, bringing with her a deep love for storytelling inspired by her rich cultural heritage. From childhood, books were her constant companions, and she would often lose herself in the world of words. Now, as a writer, she weaves those early influences into her work.
Julia lives in Deerfield, Illinois, with her husband, their two children—a daughter and a son—and their adorable toy poodle, Pepper.
