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The Italian American Press |
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Italian and Italian American Authors and Books |
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Founded in 2001 |
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Interview with Ralph |
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Excerpts from interview for article in “La Gazzetta Italiana,” October 20, 2009 Can you tell me a little more about your background? (How your family’s culture or traditions influenced your childhood.) I grew up immersed in Italian culture. We spoke Italian at home, ate delicious Italian meals, celebrated feast days and holidays, conversed with our friends and relatives from Italy. We attended an Italian church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. My parents often wrote to their families/relatives who were living in Italy. They often shared stories about Calabria and its people with me and my brothers. What led you to write Child of Wonder? The Quest? Child of Wonder was written to show how in spite of the hardships and the difficulties of our lives, humans can still triumph in the end when they place their faith and trust in the divine. The novel is about Lorenzo, a poor and abused Italian boy, whose devotion to the Blessed Mother helps him to survive a tragic life. Lorenzo's enduring faith helps him to achieve a spiritual transformation, a change in consciousness which allows him to experience self-acceptance, understanding, and love. I have always been interested in health and healing. For a time, I served as Supervisor of Health education in the West Springfield Schools System. The Quest was written to encourage individuals to develop, support, and maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit by awakening and experiencing God's loving energy, a healing power capable of transforming illness and disease into health and wellness. This book goes beyond the basic principles of good health to make readers aware of the vital role that religion/spirituality plays in maximizing health and wellness. What was your inspiration for founding the Italian American Press? When teaching high school English, I was greatly inspired by Helen Barolini’s wonderful novel Umbertina. I was motivated by her moving narrative to bring similar inspiring Italian American writers and books to the attention of the public. Aware of the many difficulties Italian American writers face in publishing and promoting their books, I founded The IAP in 2001. Do you feel that Italian American authors face more challenges than authors of other ethnic groups? From my experience, I believe that most publishers do not see a profit in publishing Italian American books. This makes it difficult for Italian Americans to get published. Although we have a large minority of Italian American in the United States, the reading audience for Italian American books is small. However, the hopeful signs are as more Italian Americans attend college and take Italian language courses and Italian American literature courses, interest in Italian American writers and their books will increase. You know that we're not alone with the poor sales from our books. Many self-published writers complain about the same results. With Italian American writers the results are worse. That is why I emphasize to those writers listed on The Italian American Press to promote one another on their websites and/or by word of mouth as much as they can. How can Italian American authors overcome these challenges? It sometimes gets very discouraging, especially since there are so many exceptionally good Italian American books waiting to be read. Promoting one's book is hard work requiring patience and persistence. I have found www.writing-world.com and www.thewriterssite.com can be quite useful. Do you have any suggestions for encouraging Italian Americans to read about their culture and heritage? I don't think we're ever going to do well in the sales of Italian American books unless more of us extend ourselves by reading and promoting the books of one another. In Springfield, MA, I’ve donated IA books to the local Italian cultural center and also to the main library. The library used these Italian American books to put on a display for Italian Cultural and Heritage Month. More of this can be done in Italian cultural centers and libraries throughout the country. Forming a small group to read and comment on one another’s writing is a good idea, if you can find the “right” individuals who are committed and informed. You can also join a writer’s group that already exists. Another useful method to promote Italian American writers and books is to send an announcement to friends/acquaintances of one's own book along with information as to where readers can find other interesting books written by Italian Americans. How can Italian American parents become more involved in teaching their children about their heritage? By leaving reading material about our Italian culture around the house. In this country, there are various worthwhile Italian American newspapers which contain interesting and varied information and stories about our Italian heritage. Parents can encourage their children to take an Italian language course, in those schools and colleges where such courses are offered. Primarily, parents can find opportunities to talk to their children about their Italian heritage, especially when the occasion arises as when eating special Italian meals or when celebrating special Italian holidays or when learning new Italian words. Can you give me some information about the Serviam Award? Was it given because of the Italian American Press? Each year, the Springfield Cultural Center honors selected individual or individuals within the community of Springfield, MA and the surrounding area with a Serviam Award. This award consists of a medal, a plaque, a ribbon, and a proclamation from the mayor of the city and an official of the state recognizing the chosen persons for their contributions to their community. Founding the Italian American Press was only one of many activities recognized toward the obtaining of this award. Also recognized were my contributions to the Springfield Italian Cultural Center, the churches in my diocese, and innovations and programs which I developed in the field of education. The Springfield culture Center has been giving Serviam Awards to deserving individuals since 1990. My wife and I received the award in the 13th year in which it was given. |
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©2011: Janice Therese Mancuso |