Dara Levan
Author Interview - Dara Levan
Author of Shaken To The Core
When life is cut short, what do we do with the time we have left?
Joy Stern, a free-spirited photographer, thought she had it all together. She built a traveler’s life with her husband, an architect who designed their days like the buildings he created. Children weren’t part of the plan.
When Joy’s mom dies suddenly, everything changes. Being behind the lens, capturing photos of families, doesn’t feel like enough anymore—until Joy discovers a hidden key to her mother’s diary. One entry inspires a choice that could transform the trajectory of her life.
Then the unthinkable happens: Andre receives devastating news, which upends their carefully constructed world. As Joy struggles to pursue her own dreams while supporting the man she loves, Joy wonders: Can she do it all?
An uplifting story of hope amid heartbreak, Shaken to the Core explores motherhood, chosen family, and “ how love, even in its absence, continues to transform us” (Jane L. Rosen, bestselling author of the Fire Island trilogy).
Author Interview - Dara Levan
Author I draw inspiration from:
Rebecca Serle. I honestly adore all of her books!
Author Interview - Dara Levan | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
At night when my family—fur babies and humans—are asleep. I love reading near natural light just before dusk. Sunsets soothe my soul.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I wouldn’t want to be stuck in an elevator with anyone, or, at all! It’s tough to pick only one character. I love music and am drawn to characters who live life on their own terms. So Daisy (Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six) would be incredible. I imagine us cowriting a song about being between floors as a metaphor for life. It’d be terrifying because I’m not impulsive or erratic (Daisy is) yet it’d be an epic growth moment.
She’d insist that I sing and unapologetically say what scares me the most. I’d tell Daisy how much I relate to her intuitive, lyrical writing. She takes up space energetically and emotionally, owning who she is and without apology. I’d also share with Daisy that I admire how she creates in chaos because I need a calm, quiet ambiance to write from my heart.
I’d sing alto and she’d be a mezzo soprano. Just as we start to jam, the elevator would move and jolt me back to a new reality. I would glance at my watch, realizing that what felt like an eternity was only an hour. It’s one of the core themes of Shaken To The Core: What do we do with the time we have left?
Author Interview - Dara Levan | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
In elementary school. I loved the poetry, spelling, and essay contests. When my grandmother lived in a nursing home, I became fascinated with the residents’ stories. One day, I approached the activities director and asked him if I could interview the people who lived there. I was 12 years old at that time. Then in high school, I pitched a publisher my idea about writing a column for the local hometown paper. I’m thankful for all of those who said yes to a young, hopeful writer. These experiences encouraged me to pursue my passion.
I truly believe every soul has a story. (This is also the inspiration for the name of my podcast.)
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I love the way hardcover books look on my shelves and my constantly growing TBR tower. But I prefer paperback when reading because they’re lighter. When a sentence or passage moves me, I highlight it and often reach out to the author. Though I resisted ebooks, I’ve now embraced reading on my Kindle. I dim the light so I don’t wake up my husband!
The last book I read:
Jill Santopolo’s “The Love We Found.” I found it immersive, captivating, and unforgettable. Lucy carries love and grief in profound, piercingly poignant ways. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Author Interview - Dara Levan | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer! When I’m inspired, my thoughts cascade from my heart and flow from my fingers. I admittedly purchase journals, intend to fill them, and rarely do. There’s actually a scene in Shaken To The Core in which Joy, the protagonist, struggles with the same unfulfilled promise to herself. I often write scenes and ideate while walking; I use voice notes and I’ll the reflect on the stream of ideas a few days later. When my creative faucet is open, stories flow out of me faster than I can handwrite them.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Patrick, the protagonist in Steven Rowley’s The Guncle. He’s witty, resilient, loving, and honest. I am grateful for my friends who are like family—my amazing framily—most of whom exhibit similar personality traits as Patrick.
Author Interview - Dara Levan | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I’ve dreamt for years about launching a news station that only broadcasts positive, joyful stories. Although it is admittedly getting harder to imagine a world in which this type of content would be consistently supported. I’m not giving up on this vision! I am a perpetual optimist.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I love the ‘80s! Proud GenExer!
Place I’d most like to travel:
Australia. I love nature, animals, and especially the people I’ve met from this country. Photography is one of my passions; I feel that the breathtaking terrain is cinematic, awe inspiring, grounding. I picture it as expansive with its vast spaces and vibrancy. I’ve always wanted to see a kangaroo and hold a koala bear! Seriously.
My signature drink:
Water. I’ve never taken a sip of soda. I do enjoy a glass of Brunello. And in recent years, a martini with fresh lemon juice.
Favorite artist:
This is a tough question to answer succinctly—I am a huge arts lover and supporter. Music speaks to my soul, truly all types, but one of my all time favorite artists is Sting. I’ll never forget when my husband surprised me with tickets to a concert for our 17th wedding anniversary. Then I turned over the card and nearly fainted—the evening included meeting Sting! I’ll never forget hugging him!
Number one on my bucket list:
I’d like to speak on a global stage/venue about healing through writing through both fiction and nonfiction.
Anything else you'd like to add:
As a former pediatric speech-language pathologist, I feel passionately about accessibility and representation. This is why my main characters struggle—and ultimately triumph—despite their speech/language/communication challenges.
Find more from the author:
IG: Dara.levan
FB: Dara Levan
LinkedIn: Dara Levan
About Dara Levan:
Dara is an author, podcaster, and the founder of Every Soul Has a Story, a podcast in which she interviews guests from around the globe. Dara writes about how radiance emergence from our breaking points. Her award-winning novel, It Could Be Worse, published in 2024 with Regalo Press. Dara’s work appears in the USA Today Bestseller, On Being Jewish Now. Her next book, Shaken to the Core, is out June 23, 2026.
Dara is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. in English and a certificate in journalism. She earned her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University—she stopped practicing speech therapy to return to full-time writing.
Actively involved in her South Florida community, Dara is an executive board member of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation. Dara is also a Trustee for Interlochen Center for the Arts. She served as a board member of the Community Foundation of Broward and Junior Achievement of South Florida. Dara is a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library Research, Information, and Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University and a graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXI. She is also a member of the Author’s Guild, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the Women’s National Book Association.
Dara’s husband, two children, and finding meaning in everyday moments are her greatest sources of inspiration. When she’s not writing in South Florida, you'll find Dara with her family and fur babies, traveling, capturing moments through photos, and talking to strangers who become friends.
Awards for It Could Be Worse:
**2024 American Book Fest Winner of the best book in Inspirational Fiction and Woman’s Fiction.
**Award winner of the Zibby Awards in two categories:
Best Story of Overcoming
Best Coming of Middle or Old Age Story
Honors:
March of Dimes 2010 Woman of Distinction Award
Honoree for the Broward Education Foundation Black & White Gala--2015
Cuisine for Art and Culture Center/Hollywood Honoree 2022
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Mother of the Year Award—2023
Author Guest of Honor, Jefferson Society for the Broward County Public Library
Foundation—2024
History Fort Lauderdale “Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change – Broward County” honoree--2026
Dara Levan
