On Saturday I attended my very first Author event at the Northland Public Library. It was fun meeting people and getting to read a few chapters from my humorous memoir, Come on Down! A Little Story About My Italian Mom’s Big Dream. It was a little surreal being in front of a room like Jenny Lawson, or David Sedaris or Dave Barry, people who’ve made their living as authors for decades, and reading from my book as if I belonged there. It was almost like acting in a play.
What brought me back to earth was seeing the big smile on the face of one woman in the back of the room as she listened. Afterward, she came by my table and said she had an Italian friend who would love my book, so she bought a copy. I wish I would have written down her name, so I could thank her personally. All you need is one person in the room who gets you and you start to feel comfy.
Thank you Carolyn, who was there with me all day and to her family, who showed up for my reading. Thanks also to Karen Howe Zigler and Zena Kesselman, two other wonderful friends who came to support me. Having friends who are there for you when times are tough, like they were about 18 years ago, when I lost my job in the recession two weeks after filing for divorce, and when times are promising, like they are now, makes all the difference. Thank you all my wonderful friends. I couldn’t do this without you!
I have a Facebook Live event coming up on Friday, April 3rd at 4 p.m. eastern. I’ll be on with Rob Pratte of KDKA Radio. We’ll be at the Kuhn’s Market on McKnight Road in the Target plaza talking about the book, and probably about food and more. It should be fun and maybe I can get some shopping done!
I’m so behind, I didn’t get to tell you I was a guest on the Tim Jones and Chris Arps show last Thursday on Newstalk STL in St. Louis. It’s a conservative station and my interview proves that things like family, love and food can keep us together, and make us laugh no matter what our politics are.
I had a great time, but I think I may have talked too much. Poor guys couldn’t get a word in edgewise. I want to thank my sweet cousin, JoAnn Jones, who recommended me to them.
And Thursday morning, April 2, at 10:41 eastern, I’ll be live on the Vic Porcelli Show on Newstalk STL in St. Louis. I hear he’s an Italian from New Jersey. I have no idea what’s in store for me. If he starts the gravy vs. sauce debate I’ll have to come down on the side of sauce. Wish me luck.
I know, two blog posts in two days, what the hell, right? Is this an April Fool joke?
Um…no.
As always (and definitely not mandatory) if you enjoy this blog and would like to be a supporter so I can dig myself out of the horrendous debt I’ve put myself in while self-publishing, just click on buymeacoffee.com/FranTunno And thanks so much to all of you who are supporting my blog!