PHOTO: Michael L. Thal, author of six novels including The Koolura Series, Goodbye Tchaikovsky, and The Lip Reader.
Exploring Stories Of Dreams, Deafness, And Determination
Michael L. Thal reflects on transforming dreams, personal loss, and hearing challenges into moving stories, from Goodbye Tchaikovsky to The Koolura Series, blending heartfelt realism with adventurous imagination.
Michael Thal has built a literary journey shaped as much by imagination as by resilience. The author of six novels, including Goodbye Tchaikovsky, The Abduction of Joshua Bloom, and The Koolura Series, he writes with a rare blend of personal truth and boundless creativity. His stories move between interplanetary adventure, the struggles of adolescence, and the profound realities of living with deafness—always guided by a deep humanity.
What sets Thal apart is the way lived experience informs his art. Losing his hearing at the age of fifty did not silence him; instead, it sharpened his awareness of body language, resilience, and the unspoken nuances of communication. This attentiveness infuses his novels, giving characters—whether a time-travelling child, a deaf violinist, or a determined young woman—the power to resonate long after the final page.
At the heart of his writing lies a belief in empathy and perseverance. Whether inspired by a dream of alien worlds, the determination of his late wife, or the curiosity of his own daughter, Thal transforms private moments into narratives that speak universally. His books remind us that stories are not only entertainment but also a way of enduring, understanding, and connecting.
In Michael Thal’s work, the extraordinary often grows out of the everyday, and it is this alchemy that makes his voice both distinctive and enduring.
Michael L. Thal writes with honesty, heart, and imagination, weaving personal experience and empathy into stories that resonate deeply with readers.
What inspired you to write The Abduction of Joshua Bloom, and how did you develop such a unique interplanetary narrative?
When I was 27 years old, I had a dream in which I was abducted by aliens and sent to another world. I woke in the middle of the night, wrote the dream down, and went back to sleep. From those notes I wrote a short story and showed it to a friend who said, “This looks like an outline for a book.”
How much of your personal experience with hearing loss influenced your portrayal of David in Goodbye, Tchaikovsky?
Imagine waking up one morning deaf. A virus, overnight, robbed me of my hearing. I’ve controlled my deafness by embracing it. For example, I’m near fluent in American Sign Language and President of Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf. When I wrote Goodbye, Tchaikovsky, it was my way of figuring out what life would have been like for me if I lost my hearing at 12 rather than 44.
“When I was 27 years old, I had a dream in which I was abducted by aliens and sent to another world.” – Michael L. Thal
The Koolura series features a young girl with psychic powers—what message were you hoping to convey to younger readers through her journey?
I truly believe all of us have the same purpose in life: Helping each other. Koolura is kind to her friends, even the obnoxious ones like Linda. I hope readers can read between the lines and get that message.
In The Lip Reader, you portray the life of a deaf woman navigating immense challenges. How did you balance factual inspiration with fictional storytelling?
The Lip Reader is the fictional account of my wife’s life. Before she died of cancer in 2015, she told me many stories about growing up in Iran as a deaf Jew. It wasn’t easy, but Jila persevered. I took the facts she told me, like a trip with family to Europe and Israel, and I filled in the gaps with my imagination.
What kind of research went into writing A Long Journey to a New Home, particularly in portraying 19th-century Norwegian immigrants?
I didn’t write that book. I told Amazon, but they don’t listen very well.
“I’ve controlled my deafness by embracing it. For example, I’m near fluent in American Sign Language and President of Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf.” – Michael L. Thal
You’ve written across various genres— sci-fi, middle-grade fantasy—what drives you to explore such diverse themes?
I wrote the Koolura books because my daughter refused to read. I suggested to the then 11-year-old, “Would you read a book with a character having psychic powers?” She agreed, and I wrote the books. I was motivated to write Abduction from a dream, and Goodbye and Lip Reader were written out of real-life events. I write what interests me and what’s affecting me at the moment. For example, right now I’m taking notes for a book about my dog, Scribble. She’s 13 years old, so I know the clock is ticking. I’m keeping a log of her behaviour to turn into a book once she passes. I’ll need that writing time to help me through dealing with her loss.
Has becoming deaf later in life changed how you approach character development or dialogue in your writing?
I didn’t become a full-time writer until my hearing loss. After I lost my hearing, I began noticing non-verbal communication, body language, and show that in my writing. In American Sign Language the main idea is getting to the point immediately. I show that, especially with the Deaf characters. The best way to show a person’s inner nature is not what they say, but what they do. That also holds readers’ attention.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors, especially those facing personal hardships or unique challenges?
I think aspiring writers facing challenges should write about those hardships. Describe the disability, how it affects you, and how you feel about it. Keep a journal. Then, when the time is right, write about it.
“Koolura is kind to her friends, even the obnoxious ones like Linda. I hope readers can read between the lines and get that message.” – Michael L. Thal
