ABOUT MY WRITING

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I grew up in Saratoga, CA, in a big, loving, Italian family. (Picture My Big Fat Greek Wedding, only I was the rebel vegetarian.) I started telling stories with paint on canvas, and as an art student in college, I found an audience for my original songs as a singer/guitarist.

 

After briefly studying English, fine art, and graphic design at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA, I moved to Hollywood, CA, and forged a diverse following as a singer/songwriter/guitarist in the wild, vibrant, art-band club scene. At night, I belted out my rock-jazz-ska vignettes of love, loss, and all the social injustices in the world. During the day, I worked as a map maker, graphic artist, cartoonist, and children’s illustrator. I attended Platt College in Los Angeles, CA, and earned a diploma in graphic design/desktop publishing, and I studied guitar theory at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, CA.

 

As my lyrical themes became more elaborate, my songs expanded into spoken word, and I penned a series of short stories. But when my teenage daughters shared their beloved novels with me, I discovered my favorite voice as a storyteller in YA fiction.

 

After submitting my second YA sci-fantasy novel, The Memory Arcade, to select agents, The Andrea Brown Literary Agency invited me to attend the Big Sur Children’s Writing Workshop. The invaluable praise/critiques from the talented agents/editors/authors at the event was inspirational.

 

I’m currently seeking representation for my newest YA sci-fi novel, BLUE SKY ECHO, with manuscript analysis/critique by Kevin Anderson & Associates and copyediting/proofreading by Danielle Poiesz, founder of Double Vision Editorial. In addition, I’m having a blast working on the second novel in a proposed Blue Sky series, as well as a YA standalone paranormal thriller.

 

When I’m not writing and reading into the early morning hours, I’m strumming a new tune, doing yoga, or cooking massive amounts of pasta for my family and friends.

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*Illustration of the city of Gosthearod in BLUE SKY ECHO by Gina Menicucci