Ukrainian Writer Svitlana Vasylchenko: Without Readers, There Is Only a Book, but No Story, Because Everyone Who Reads Perceives It in Their Own Unique Way

Svitlana Vasylchenko is a Ukrainian writer and the author of the novel Island of Forgotten Easter. She firmly believes that without readers, there is only a book, but no story, as every reader interprets it through the prism of their own emotions. After engaging with readers, new questions about the story arise — ones she had never considered before. When Svitlana sent the manuscript to the publisher, russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine began, and she was uncertain whether her book would ever see the light of day. However, the novel Island of Forgotten Easter was published as part of the A Good Day to Live program by Tempora Publishing, carrying profound symbolism in light of today’s events. In an interview, Svitlana shared insights with Drive Music Media about her novel Island of Forgotten Easter, her new book Lviverpool, and her plans to write a trilogy.

Interviewer: Tell us when and how your writing career began. What were your first steps in this field?

Svitlana: I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I wrote poems that were later published in the almanac "Creative Youth of Donbas", as well as stories for my younger sister. I even made books by hand — binding the pages and drawing the covers. I dreamed that when I grew up, I would open my own publishing house. As I got older, I began thinking about writing a novel.

Interviewer: After 8 years of hard work, you published your book "The Island of Forgotten Easter". Can you tell us about the title? Why did you choose this name for the book? Who are the main characters?

Svitlana: The main characters of the book are a young man searching for himself and a psychologist who wants to help him. Both are seeking peace in a small seaside town, where the psychologist was born, and where both characters reassess their paths. Eventually, they switch places: the young man matures, and the psychologist returns to his roots and remembers who he was. The people living on this “island” have rarely (or never) left it. That’s why the title partly refers to the stone statues on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), which are “rooted” in the ground. In the southeast, near the Azov Sea, you can also find stone babas, preserved from nomadic cultures. The island also represents a piece of land from which it is not easy to escape: this will become one of the obstacles the characters face.

Interviewer: How many versions of your book didn’t see the light of day? How did you decide on the final version? What inspired you?

Svitlana: The first version of the book was written in December 2014. But when I reread it a few months later, I realized that I wanted to write it differently and in a new form. Some characters appeared, and others disappeared. The main plot line was rethought, and I strengthened one of the secondary characters, who then became key to how the story unfolded. I struggled for a long time with the final version. I hoped that the events of the book, which begin with the Revolution of Dignity and the russo-Ukrainian War, would have a happy ending. I constantly wanted to change or add something. But time passed, and I decided it was time to put the final period. Instead of a happy ending, I left the characters with hope.

Interviewer: What was the presentation of your book like? What was the preparation process?

Svitlana: The first presentation took place in April 2023, right after Easter, at the "Ye" bookstore in Kyiv on Lysenka Street. The moderator of the event was Artem Skoryna, the executive editor of the "Tempora" publishing house. It was nerve-wracking to speak about the book for the first time — its plot and characters, the writing process — because up until then, I had mostly kept those thoughts to myself. But the day before, I watched recordings of other authors’ presentations to prepare myself for the meeting.

Interviewer: How important is communication with readers for you? Do you get ideas from their thoughts, or do you see things differently after discussions during the presentation?

Svitlana: After every meeting with readers, there are questions I want to answer differently or expand upon. Many insights come later, after some reflection. Without readers, there’s just a book, but no story. Everyone who reads perceives it in their own way and experiences their own emotions. Even the character and mood of the story can differ for each person. For example, the book is filled with dynamic events, but for someone, it might be an opportunity to relax their thoughts in a seaside town. Therefore, every review is priceless because it helps me understand what impression this story leaves behind or how to change something in the next one.

Interviewer: How did the idea for the book design come about? Who worked on the illustrations?

Svitlana: I didn’t have a specific vision for the cover. I just created a Pinterest board with photos and illustrations that, in my feeling, conveyed the atmosphere of the book. The designer, Iryna Mamaeva, was able to sense it and depict it beautifully.

Interviewer: How difficult was it to find a publishing house that would approve your book? How long did the search take?

Svitlana: In January 2022, I sent the final manuscript to the literary agency OVO, which was helping to find a publisher. Then the full-scale war began, and, of course, I had doubts whether the book would ever be published. However, by autumn, I received a response from the "Tempora" publishing house, which believed in my manuscript and gave life to the book. The novel was released as part of the “A Good Day to Live” program, which brings together contemporary Ukrainian authors.

Interviewer: What projects are you working on right now?

Svitlana: I am planning to write a trilogy with the working title "Before, During, and After". I recently finished the second book, "Lviv-erpool" (the title refers to the famous live music bar in Donetsk, "Liverpool", where well-known Ukrainian musicians once performed). In it, I wanted to convey the idea of growing up and realizing that if you only wait for changes, they won’t happen — a lot depends on us. And that the true value of many things is often only appreciated when we lose them.

Interviewer: What is your mission as a writer? Why this particular mission?

Svitlana: For many years, I dreamed of writing a novel, wanting to convey historical events in an engaging way. However, I never knew history well enough to write about it, and even if I studied various sources and spent days in libraries, I would still fear being inaccurate. But it so happened that we are living through historical times, and we are witnesses to them. That’s why I want to preserve our memories for future generations, so they can better understand these times — not just from textbooks. History is important to remember because sometimes it repeats itself.

Interviewer: Describe your creative work in one word. Why that word?

Svitlana: Persistence. I spent a long time searching for myself, even though I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I often chose paths that led in different directions, but I always found a way to write. Eventually, I chose creativity after university: while living under occupation, I couldn't work in my field, but I had an idea for a book. To finish it, I chose projects that wouldn’t interfere with it. I turned down full-time job offers and worked as a freelancer. The book became my main project.

Pictures were taken by Wlad Kotelevsky and Andriy Reznichenko