Artemisia is here!
Aside from working very hard on the story for over a year (getting the plot lines just right, writing, rewriting, proofing, and rewriting some more) in my case, since I am the author, designer, layout artist, illustrator, publisher, editor, and proofer and videographer—believe me—there are many things to worry about when I wake up in the middle of the night, pre-and post-publication!
Since I wear so many different hats, I stare at the ceiling and worry that the colors of my book’s cover will come out just right when printed by Amazon. I replay the entire story in my head and hope I haven’t missed a comma, left out, or added a random word somewhere on any one of the 312 pages. Even though I have had the text professionally edited and proofed several times, ultimately, being the production artist and the last person to sign off on the project, I worry if the interior margins got misaligned when I made a last-minute change to a dialogue two days before sending the book to press.
The process is exhausting, worrisome, time-consuming…
and totally exhilarating, amazing, and satisfying.
And now that Eternally Artemisia has been published—I think she is beyond beautiful. As with my previous two books, this new novel set in Italy celebrates women, art, and creativity. And like the other two, once again the Medici family are among the protagonists! (They just can’t seem to stay out of the pages of my books!)
People often ask me which book
is my favorite of the three?
That is a tough thing to respond to—just like a mother who couldn’t possibly choose which of her children was her favorite! Dreaming Sophia will always be special to me, as it is a loose autobiography of how I came to be so fascinated with Italy and the Italian language. Waking Isabella is also a favorite because it takes place in the enchanting town of Arezzo and weaves in a bit of mystery and intrigue into the plot.
I love all my books…
but I have a confession to make.
Perhaps, because she is so recently birthed, I have a particular fondness for my latest work of fiction. In “Eternally Artemisia,” I explore the concept of time travel—something that has always fascinated me. I find it intriguing to think there is a connection so strong between people who have lived through intense life-altering situations that they are destined to meet over and over again. (I do seem to have an affinity for the past and the voices that seem to call out to me from Italy drawing me always back.)
And like my protagonist Maddie in Eternally Artemisia, I too have always been fascinated by the seventeenth-century artist Artemisia Gentileschi and her life story, upon whom my latest book is focused. I believe Artemisia’s story needs to be told and remembered. The things this female artist suffered through five hundred years ago and her struggles to survive in a male-dominated society
Now that Eternally Artemisia is published and flying solo, I have the time to get creative all over again and have just put together a short book trailer video to give readers a sneak peek of the novel set in Tuscany, Rome, Florence… and the universe! Please take a look and share with friends! Artemisia and I thank you!
