Reviews & Interviews
BBC Radio Somerset
An interview with Vick Clark standing in for Simon Parkin, discussing my New York billboard campaign and the cult classic “The Religion of Self Enlightenment”.
By Nancy Connolly
My Name Up In Lights. I’m proud and pleased to announce I am currently being featured on a billboard in Times Square NYC – how exciting! It’s part of working with my associates across the pond to promote my cult classic ‘The Religion of Self Enlightenment” to the movers and shakers in The Big Apple.
Check out the video HERE.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Why The Religion of Self-Enlightenment is a Must-Read in These Times. This concise tale takes readers deep into its protagonist’s exploration of his newfound self-enlightenment and mesmerises with its portrayal of a questing mind.
DIVIDED WE FALL
Described as “heartfelt and radically modern”, the new novel “The Watch on the Beach” from Cambridge author Emily Scialom paints an unflinching portrait of an individual, a city and, ultimately, a world divided, as she tells Velvet…
By CHRISTY BIRMINGHAM-REYES
Book Spotlight: Emily is back! You might remember Emily B. Scialom from her recent interview here about her cult classic “The Religion of Self-Englightenment”. Recently she published a new book called “The Watch On The Beach”, and it’s a pleasure to feature the novel here.
By PATRICK GREENWOOD
This week on the “Writers on Writers over a triple espresso podcast,” we welcome the wonderful UK based author, Emily Scialom. We will be discussing her new novel ”The Watch on the Beach.”
By JJ BARNES
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author Emily B. Scialom shares what inspired her to write ‘The Watch On The Beach’, about the aftermath of Clara Reynolds’ failed suicide attempt. I interviewed Emily about her life and career, the experiences that inspired her to write her new book, ‘The Watch On The Beach’, and her creative writing process.
With ALI KRAUSOVA
On her recent visit to London Emily Scialom was interviewed by Ali Krausova in the world famous Hawley Arms, a favourite haunt of Amy Winehouse. Ali is a journalist currently working for Insanity Radio and specialises in interviewing mainly bands/musicians in and around Camden Town in North West London. If you feel you have something unique to say and would like to be considered for an interview contact Ali on Instagram or Twitter @ali_krausova.
“In this article “Evolution is clearly not a linear process, but a rollercoaster which occasionally horrifies”, Emily speaks about how she is making a difference to the struggles we all are facing in this world through her writings. She also writes about her various books and their messages.”
With ROD & INCI JOHNSON
Our very talented guest, British author Emily Scialom, shares with us her journey to becoming a formidable published writer, poet, and musician. She also chats with us about her philosophical views on self-enlightenment and her commitment to becoming a successful writer.
By CHRISTY BIRMINGHAM-REYES
Every once in a long while, a creative human comes along who is able to transcend the arts. One of those unique and multi-talented individuals is Emily Scialom. Her first book The Religion Of Self-Enlightenment has received critical acclaim. It has become a cult classic for its thought-provoking take on religion, deeper life meanings, and exploration of the self.
By J J BARNES
I interviewed Emily B. Scialom about her life and career, what inspired her to start writing, and her book, The Religion of Self Enlightenment. She talks about her writing career, the books in her collection and what inspires her.
The Religion of Self-Enlightenment was selected as a Book Excellence Award Finalist from the thousands of entries from around the world. The book was selected for its high-quality writing, design and market appeal in the fiction category.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
Interview with Emily Scialom on Tuesday 28th December 2021.
BBC Radio London
Interview with Emily Scialom on Wednesday 21st December 2021.
BBC Radio Somerset
Please join me and tune in at 10.15 am on New Year’s Eve.
By ANTONIO SCANCARIELLO
A WRITER with a “deep, lasting attachment to Somerset”, and whose works have been praised across the country, will have her book stocked in Glastonbury.
A Manifesto of Peace and Love
Emily’s surname is pronounced ‘Shalom’, meaning ‘Peace’, which is entirely appropriate for the message she conveys via this wonderful book. Strangely the first chapter reminded me of Candide, due to the protagonist’s almost noble (if wrong-headed) determination to not engage with the world. But when that world is shattered, and the curtain is pulled back to reveal…. (well, I’ll not ruin the plot)…. The reappraisal of the meaning of life, and everything is simply stunning. And inspiring. Shalom, Emily, this is a gift to the world.
If you have to buy just one book in your life, let it be this one
I’m not usually one for books. I get very bored of them very quickly, and it has been well over a decade since I’ve managed to finish a book. This book broke the mould for me, big time. Not only did I finish the book, but I also read it in one sitting. I was enthralled from start to finish and felt like I had gone on some spiritual journey by the final page. There were many moments in the book that made me go, “Someone’s put into words how I feel!” And plenty other moments that made me go, “Huh… I’ve never looked at it that way before…”
If you have to buy just one book in your life, let it be this one. I say this wholeheartedly: You owe it to yourself to go on this incredible journey.
Powerful, thoughtful and just WOW!!!
A talented, brave and deeply sensitive author, Emily Scialom writes with brutal honesty, beautiful prose and a wisdom far beyond her years. An exquisite book that makes you think, challenges your existing attitudes, stretches your mind and nourishes your soul. Love this book and can’t wait for more from this amazing new talent!!!!
Small but perfectly formed
Yet another wonderfully thought-provoking book, The Rivers, by the highly talented author Emily B. Scialom. An author to watch.
Gem-Like Wonder
The micro and macro meet and resonate, in this small gem-like book from Emily B. Scialom, Eternal Artist. Here and there a sentence might shimmer with meaning, or on first sight be harder to grasp, like ripples on a pool, but they all subtly affect their surroundings and in turn the reader. Poetic, profound, funny – highly recommended.
The Catcher In The Rye; Minus The Nihilism
The Religion of Self-Enlightenment (The Rose) is a timely, and classic novel that I hope will pass into the realms of fictional legend; one day soon. If I had to describe this novel to a potential buyer, than I would describe it as “The Catcher in the Rye” minus the nihilism of the key protagonist in said novel. Whilst it can be argued that the nihilism portrayed from the protagonist in The Catcher in the Rye is only a by-product of youth. The key protagonist Carrick in The Rose, displays none of these attributes at around the same age, and if he does in the slightest; it is only when reflecting back over a former life.
It is for this reason I am convinced that the reader of this review, will understand when having read The Rose that Emily B Scialom must be repenting for her sins from a former life as the writer J D Salinger, and the consequences of having written a novel such as The Catcher in the Rye. With this in mind I am convinced that, if Mark Chapman had of read The Rose rather than the catcher in the rye he would not have shot John Lennon.
Five Stars
Brilliant read. Would recommend to anyone.
I read it in one sitting!
I loved this book. Carrick’s struggles to find an authentic and validating way to self-identify and thus interact meaningfully with the world were as deeply moving and intensely heartfelt as anything I’ve read. The developing relationship between Carrick and Paul was beautifully portrayed.
A very interesting first book, both of ideas, and absolutely on-point characterisations, from a very promising author.
Powerful, thoughtful and just WOW!!!
A talented, brave and deeply sensitive author, Emily Scialom writes with brutal honesty, beautiful prose and a wisdom far beyond her years. An exquisite book that makes you think, challenges your existing attitudes, stretches your mind and nourishes your soul. Love this book, The Religion of Self-Enlightenment and can’t wait for more from this amazing new talent!!!!
An awesome read. I recommend it to you wholeheartedly
This is one of those books that you pick up, glance at the title, and tell yourself that you will read it over the weekend. As the Italian Officer in ‘Allo Allo’ says, ‘what a mistake to make!’, I can assure you that once you have read the first few pages of this novel, your ability to put the book down will be temporarily incapacitated. The reader is immediately hooked; drawn in to the strange and surreal world of the main character as he strives to make sense of the incomprehensible thoughts and actions which haunt him, with ‘haunt’ being the operative word on so many levels. This is a thoroughly fascinating , thought provoking and exciting read. The author has hit on a winning formula here, which should propel this literary offering into the realms of well deserved success. There are strands of T.S Eliot’s ‘Prufrock’ subtly woven into the plot; as Carrick moves towards his ‘eureka’ moment, Strikingly, it is also as if Carrick has the starring role in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, whereby the knowledge he so clearly needs is presented in the metaphorical form of an obelisk. The constant theme is the ambiguity of life: the conceptualisation of the human condition and the sheer frailty of just about everything associated with it: the human spirit in a broken form, but not defeated. It is this sense of juxtaposition, so delightfully delivered by the author, that makes this book an awesome read. I recommend it to you wholeheartedly.
EC Magazines
This promotional feature appears in the Summer issue of EC Magazines quarterly publication to highlight my book “The Rivers” at The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books which in all likelihood will take place at The University of California in April 2022.
To mark the launch of her second novel. The Rivers, Cambridge author Emily Scialom reflects on the waterways both real and metaphorical which run through the story.
By JESS CHAFFEY
A SOMERSET author is hoping to turn her debut novel into a film – after she was approached by an American company following her involvement with The London Book Fair.
By SIMON YAFFE
Emily is hoping to head for the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles – if she manages to raise the funds.
Local Mill Road Author talks about what she’s been up to since she spoke on MRTV back in November 2016. Emily is now promoting her second book The Rivers.
By JESS CHAFFEY
EMILY Scialom, author of The Religion of Self Enlightenment, has released her second novel, The Rivers. The rivers of Cam and The Thames flow freely through Cambridge and London, as do the lives of this plethora of characters.
Filming with Mirva for That’s Cambridge TV. The River Cam inspires local author Emily Scialom. That’s Cambridge TV interviews Emily who talks in depth about her new romance novel, The Rivers.
By SIMON YAFFE
It tells the story of Carrick Ares, who grows up without a belief in anything, but experiences an existential crisis.The only person to help him is a psychiatrist.Together they explore Carrick’s theories about life and he proceeds to write a new religion, The Religion of Self-Enlightenment, which becomes the expression of his ideology.
By MELISSA
The Religion of Self-Enlightenment by Emily Scialom follows Carrick Ares before and after a near-death experience. We meet him just before the accident and get to know him as he was. Before he died, Carrick coasted through life, careful to have no opinions, to have just the right responses to everything so as not to offend anyone, with no real depth to his thoughts or emotions. He was emotionally immature and lived superficially.
Emily Scialom’s debut novel The Religion of Self-Enlightenment packs a punch. At less than 200 pages, one might expect this book to be a quick and easy read. One would be very wrong. Right away, Scialom sets up the world and worldview of main character Carrick with stunning, raw detail.
By MIKE SCIALOM
Waterstones held the first of a regular series of authorial gatherings this month, which saw local writers present their work to the public. “We really wanted to highlight local authors and give you a chance to meet them.” The authors then had eight-minute slots to talk about their work and read excerpts.
By ALISTAIR RYDER
Her novel has taken critics by storm, with many drawing comparisons between her tale of a man who starts his own religion after a near-death experience with revered works of literature such as CATCHER IN THE RYE.
By ZENA AL MASKARI
Emily Scialom’s debut novel is the compelling tale about a certain Carrick Ares’ experience with death and is also one of the strangest books I’ve ever read – but for all the right reasons.
By ADRIAN PEEL
Cambridge author charts the flow of spirituality with new book. Religion is something that inspires Emily. “I gave my life to God about five years ago,” she notes. “I’m not a conventional religious person in any sense of the word.
THE BOOK CORNER
Lose yourself in one of our top reading picks from the MBS circuit. Carrick Ares grows up without any particular beliefs in anything. Yet when he suddenly dies in a car accident, he experiences what he feels to be the afterlife.
By MATTHEW CALLOW
The Religion of Self Enlightenment tells the story of a man, Carrick Ayres, who has a near-death experience in a car accident and come back to want to know the truth of life. He writes a new religion in order to improve our conscious wisdom.
With JOHN CALDWELL
Cambridge author charts the flow of spirituality with new book. Religion is something that inspires Emily. “I gave my life to God about five years ago,” she notes. “I’m not a conventional religious person in any sense of the word.”
By MIKE JONES
This book is a classic of Near Death Experience literature. It is also a classic of spiritual emergence – how conventional reality breaks down and one is confronted with the liberation of not knowing.
by CHRIS MOORE
“This is a thoroughly fascinating, thought-provoking and exciting read. The author has hit on a winning formula here, which should propel this literary offering into the realms of well deserved success”
By LAWRENCE JOHN
Somerset author, Emily Scialom is top of the book charts.
The Religion of Self-Enlightenment was selected as a Book Excellence Award Finalist from the thousands of entries from around the world. The book was selected for its high-quality writing, design and market appeal in the fiction category.