Please share a bit about your journey to become a published author?

The book had been steaming in my head for a year, but the only two things done were half of the title and the index which remained pretty much unaltered. The rest was stuck in between my inner voice that kept repeating “who will ever publish you” and the routine of my daily life – that is, between a rock and a hard place. Then I had a phone call with Julie in the early December of 2015 where she envisioned all that I never had the courage to express. She really was the catalyst for this book.

How does the writing process work for you? Do you schedule a time every day, work madly when inspiration hits or ?

I had been writing all my life: diaries, essays and blogs. Even my notes during classes at university were mini stories for me. It was the only way I could remember. But writing a book is such a whole new level. Because of a demanding and hectic full time job and being a single mother, time is a limited commodity. So I am one of those writers that needed to carve a parenthesis in the day to be able to finish the book when scheduled. Mine was between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. during the week.

What did you find most difficult about the writing and publishing process?  What was the easiest?

I wouldn’t say difficult, but coordinating the interviews was the most challenging part. My contributors are the crème de la crème of the fashion industry – internationally known individuals with booked schedules of years in advance and whose wise opinion on the topic I wanted to include. My academic background is in sociology and journalism, so I can’t stay on the surface in anything. I do it all with passion. The constant battle between my inner voice (see above) and materializing the interview in the chapter at 4 a.m. wasn’t easy breezy. Like with everything that doesn’t come easy, the interviews are the cherry on the empowerment cake I have baked with this book.

What title (or titles) have you released? Please include a short synopsis of what your book is (or books are) about.

The Cheat Sheet of Italian Style. Confidence and Sustainable Chic in Ten Struts. Get ready to empty out the meaningless clutter, and curate an inspirational wardrobe while reclaiming yourself. The book transports the reader into a world of desirable glamour and rousing style, and teaches them how to achieve the understated chicness Italians are recognized for, regardless of nationality, age or budget.

Do you have any new books in the planning or writing stage?

I have been asked by many to have it translated in Italian and that is the closest to planning a new publication.

What do you most hope readers will take away from your book?

What I really hope readers squeeze out of the book is the empowerment and inspiration to follow their style instead of a trend and learn through the lines the “intangible quality of Italian chicness”

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’d love for them to reach out to me to question, discuss and converse. I’d also love to know what was their best take-away from the book. I am in such a wonderful magic carpet flight with the book now, that I am enjoying every bit of the ride –  like a mother with a toddler that started walking.  It has taken the shape of a “story within a story,” a graphic novel illustrated by a high school senior who I am mentoring,

I am producing a collection of gadgets as satellites to the book (handbags, stickers, pin buttons among others that are in the making) that will be for sale soon and offered as a gift with purchase at book signings. The book will also be the topic of a moderated talk during the Miami Fashion Film Festival on September 22nd and will be presented at the Miami Book Fair in November.

The newest dimension my journey with this book will be morphing into is a trip to Tuscany to walk my path through the chapters, meet some of my contributors and live the Italian way for at least for ten days.