What motivated you to leave your native Naples and pursue opportunities abroad?
From an early age, I was curious about the world beyond Naples. The main source of this ever-growing curiosity was my grandfather, who instigated me to leave Naples, in the name of "Culture" - he was obsessed by that word - when I was a small child. Growing I saw pursuing opportunities in the north of Italy and then abroad as a chance to challenge myself, gain new perspectives, and expand my worldview. But most importantly because Naples, and even Italy, did not offer much to ambitious and curious young people. The prospect of living abroad excited me. It still does, actually, even after living and working in 22 countries.
How did your upbringing in Naples shape your passion for writing and politics?
Growing up in Naples exposed me to a rich culture known for art, food, and political engagement. Conversations around the dinner table often centred around social issues. The reason being that we, as a family, were part of the issue. We were not wealthy; we were from a place that did not have a good reputation for Italy, and my father only managed to get stable employment once he was 31 and father to three children. This environment nurtured my innate interests in writing and politics from childhood. I have been politically engaged since I was sixteen, volunteering for a political party radio and coming across many people with a similar thirst for justice.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that fueled your desire for social justice?
I vividly recall, when I was 11, that a family living in my neighbourhood, following the death of the main breadwinner, was thrown in the street from one day to the other. No institution moved a finger to help these six poor people, left to their destinies. Only the good soul of my poor neighbours managed to feed them, host them, and let the five kids go to school. That was eye-opening for me.
Moving to the United Kingdom at a young age must have presented challenges. How did you navigate those challenges, both personally and professionally?
I felt born again when I arrived in London on April 1st, 1990. I was 22 at the time. I left a country where I felt out of place. I was always the "Neapolitan", used in a deprecative way. In England, I was an Italian. The first time I started understanding what being Italian meant. The language was a massive barrier, and I spare you all the uncomfortable situations I landed myself in. Still, I worked hard to learn and having a great job at the time helped me to integrate perfectly into my new country, which, with time, has become my home and motherland; even since 2016, things have changed a bit.
How did you manage to balance your career in the financial sector with your passion for writing?
I didn't, not until recently; I was far too busy with my job to even think of combining all my scripts into books. I used to take notes and save them. Only recently did I decide to give room to my youth dream and start publishing. It was dictated by the need to speak and make my voice heard. My commuting hours and my free Sunday afternoons were a blessing.
Your works are known for addressing social and political themes with courage and frankness. What drives you to tackle such complex topics?
I heard somewhere that the truth requires no diplomacy to be told. Well, I am the less diplomatic person you can come along. My former employers are well aware of that... The truth must be told. No, the truth is debatable, and I have my side of the story; however, sweetening the pill does not affect those who do not see your views. I would rather talk openly about issues and not pull back, even in my Italian books, from denouncing some negative traits of my cultural heritage to the point of annoying those that I would expect to be on my side. The Ghosts of the Past has yet to be well received by some of the people I was making justice for.
Despite living in London, you've maintained a strong connection with your Neapolitan roots. How do you nurture this connection while living abroad?
Though far from Naples physically, I consciously keep "her" spirit alive through frequent calls, well, more messaging these days, to my family, enjoying Neapolitan cuisine, reading about Naples, following my football team, Napoli, and also following the news. My twice-a-year return trips are the end of an apnoea. I feel like I am alive when I am in Naples. The missing puzzle is found. That emotional touchstone sustains me, and through my writing, I declare my eternal love and gratitude.
Having lived on five continents, how has this global perspective influenced your writing?
Immensely. Exposure to varied cultures, viewpoints, and ways of life has made me deeply appreciative of both diversity and common humanity. My writing reflects and connects broader human stories and themes that transcend borders. It has added richness and nuance. I still have some books that have not been published that include some of the places I lived and towards which I have a vow of devotion. I am referring to Beijing, Buenos Aires, and Brussels, but also Ecuador, a place I have visited for a brief time but had a massive impact on me. There is only one race, the human one. Everything else is a shade, not a race.
Neapolitan culture and identity play a significant role in your writings. Can you elaborate on how you incorporate these elements into your work?
The vibrancy, warmth, and contradictions that characterise Neapolitan culture provide endless inspiration. The language, food references, familial bonds, chaos, and hidden order - ground my stories and voice. This cultural anchor points me back home even as I explore universal concepts.
For those who read in Italian, this is very obvious in my Italian-published book and even more in the other coming shortly, and my agent has told me not to talk about it. So, I stop here.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers who want to infuse their work with social and political themes?
Immerse yourself in settings and current events that compel you to dig deeper into social issues. Develop empathy by listening to impacted groups. Allow your conscience to guide your pen without fear or agenda. Tell human stories that create awareness and remind us of our shared condition. The pen is the only tool that some of us have to be heard. Make sure you use it. And don't be afraid. You will be one of the few, but you will never be alone because being socially engaged is a service you are offering to those who do not even have a pen.
Your story is one of determination and tenacity. Can you share a particularly challenging moment in your journey and how you overcame it?
My struggles have all been a personal matter. My professional career has never been a real issue for me. However, from those struggles, I have regained the strength to look forward and make a success out of it. Many years ago, following my divorce, loss of income and poor health, I was close to giving up. A trip to Thailand - it was on my bucket list- was the turning point, and I came back full of positivity and love for life. To the point that I met my wife, we have a great daughter, and I can look back thinking that those challenges made me what I am today.
How do you hope your writings inspire readers to pursue their dreams?
Sharing my unusual path shows that self-belief and resilience can help you achieve your boldest dreams despite obstacles. My writing mirrors my calm faith in human potential. May it kindle possibility in readers' imaginations and motivate them to persist. The biggest onus is on the parents of tomorrow's adults. They have to make sure that their children are confident and understand the values of empathy and "light within" that I use often in my books. And, most importantly, nothing is impossible if the heart is there.
In what ways do you believe commitment and sacrifice are essential in achieving great goals?
Achieving audacious, meaningful goals requires a relentless commitment to the cause and a willingness to sacrifice short-term comforts or distractions. As I mentioned before, this has been the main reason I delayed publishing. My writing journey demanded such discipline, and I seized the moment at the right time. However, when I decided to start crafting a book while working full-time, it meant sacrificing leisure time (which, in my case, is mainly occupied by reading) and prioritising writing above all else. The years invested and the joy of publishing my truths, however, make that sacrifice worthwhile. More broadly, bettering society requires both grassroots activists and legislative/policy sacrifice. Progress demands our collective commitment.
How do you stay true to yourself and your values in the face of societal pressures or professional demands?
Vanished Echoes, my first book contains the answer. Authenticity amidst external pressures starts with brutal self-honesty - separating internal morals from conformist temptations. With brutal self-honesty as my guide, I don't rely on others for perspective. As an independent thinker and a bit of a loner, I avoid conforming and find my path forward. Beyond that, if remaining genuine requires sacrifice - a new job, publishing an inconvenient truth, moving - I must find the courage and stand tall rather than betray personal truths. No award or pay check supersedes living out my ethics. My writings must reflect this. Those who know me personally and professionally have seen that over the years.
When did you join AllAuthor? What has your experience been like?
I discovered AllAuthor in 2023, shortly after self-publishing my debut novel. The writing community and networking opportunities appealed greatly. Over the last year, I've benefited immensely from the exposure, platform to discuss craft, and relationships built with some of the authors. The authentic connections and wealth of resources for reaching readers inspire me daily. I'm grateful for AllAuthor's role in my evolution from an aspiring to a professional author.
