An Interview with Claudio A. Téllez–Soto

Claudio A. Téllez–Soto is of Chilean origin, with a master’s degree in philosophy with a mention in chemistry, from the University of Chile. Téllez is the author of Hurtado, hombre de Dios (Ed. ZigZag–Santiago de Chile–2005), Los Enigmas de Shavi (Ed. ZigZag–2009), Vinho Velho (Ed. Horus. Portugal–2022), A música das moléculas (Ed. Horus, Portugal–2022), Thol, a história de um golfinho (Ed. Biblioteca 24 horas. Brazil–2011), and Manhazinha (Ed. Biblioteca 24 horas. Brazil–2011). He is also the author of the following works: Don Alonso, caballero de amor y Guerra, Tango em Vietnã, Natxis y Gobe no mundo do átomo, The mystery of the snow crystals, and Pevenerete.

Téllez is a lover of classical music and is passionate about literature, his favorite authors being Cervantes (Don Quixote), Halldor K. Laxness (Luz del mundo), and Nikos Katzanzakis (Zorba the Greek).

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I know that the Arabic language is a poetic language, and Arabs like to recite. The calls to prayer are poetic songs. Poetry lives in the hearts of Arabs, therefore, it was not difficult to give the book a title. Haidar, the pilgrim on his long journey expresses his mysticism in poetic form.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It was a wonderful feeling! The cover is magnificently accomplished, even more so, it is the first book that I have published in English. The joy was double!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My father Mario was a passionate reader. He had a library of more than five thousand volumes at home. I remember the texts lined up on the shelves. Universal History by César Cantú, Balzac’s La Comedia Humana, almost all Russian authors (who read passionately when young). Novel Awards, Goncourt awards, adventure novels by Rafael Sabatini, Alexandre Dumas, all his work. Classics of Spanish, Italian, American, and French literature, as well as authors of Nordic literature. My father was the man who encouraged me to read and write.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I graduated as a scientist and work with optical procedures in the study of cancer and skin (aging, for example). I also worked as a clothing salesman and as a textile worker before entering university. Readers don’t know that I’m passionate about classical music, and its rhythmicity encourages me to have more poetic and fantasy prose, rather than real. They don’t know that because I can’t buy famous paintings, I copy them, and in my collection I have reproductions by Brueghel the Elder, van Gogh, Renoir, and others like Modigliani.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

During the editing process, the communication with the text reviewers was gratifying, as well as the magnificent attention from the publisher’s staff. It seemed to me that I was working with members of a large family who were always willing to help a writer whose everyday language was not English.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Those of Sibelius, Caesar Frank, Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, among others.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I want them to learn to value religions, no matter how different they may be. Religions are not a subject of mockery. And they also realized that fanatical interpretations of any religion bring irreparable damage to societies.

I imagine a perfect reader to be one who has an open mind and is not prejudiced. You must love literature and retain your knowledge of those authors who leave life lessons to their readers.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I am currently working on a text that tells the life of the Prophet Muhammad (I believe it will be completed at the end of this year). I am also working on the translation into English of my book Thol, the story of a dolphin (a song of friendship)

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Working with Atmosphere Press was a wonderful experience, and I am very grateful for their welcome and willingness to help with the editing process. Naturally, when asked for my opinion on editorials, in the first row is the recommendation for Atmosphere Press.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.