2018: The Year in Review – All about THE LOVE FOOL and writing.
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Well, 2018 was quite a year for me. The biggest achievement was the release of my debut novel, of course. My main goal was to see The Love Fool on a bookshelf in a bookstore – specifically Barnes & Noble. I achieved this goal, and much more!
January to March
I worked on final edits to the manuscript for THE LOVE FOOL and submitted to the publisher. Meanwhile, I worked with a web designer, providing content and artwork, layout ideas, and more – to get a beautiful one-page thelovefool.com website. In addition, I set up advertisements online, postcards, and in local papers. I hired a PR person to help put the word out and organize the awesome book launch event which was hosted by the incredible people at Massimino’s Cucina Italiana in the North End. I also thank all who came out to celebrate this achievement with me.
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In addition, I continued providing food and drink related content to Intermezzo Magazine and SIP the Magazine.
April to June
I took back full control of the pr and marketing. My first event was in April at the Author’s Night By The Sea in Portsmouth, NH – held by my new friends at New England Authors Expo. It was awesome to meet new friends and fellow independent authors. And I reconnected with popular Italian TV chef Mary Ann Esposito – giving me that nostalgia for my previous job in TV.
I was adamant to participate in Independent Bookstore Day and thank the people at Cabot Street Books in Beverly, MA for hosting me and allowing me to talk to shoppers. I also participated in a Twitter Chat at @LitChat. And I was interviewed by Stephen Lomer on his YouTube and PodCast series Tell Me About Your Damn Book.
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I mentioned earlier that my ultimate goal for writing THE LOVE FOOL was to have it on the shelf in a book store – Barnes & Noble specifically. So, I pursued my local B&N shops and set up a Meet & Greet in Burlington, MA location in early June. Prior to the event, I popped in to find my book on the shelf! What a surreal moment. GOAL ACHIEVED!!
Later in June, I spoke at I AM Books – an Italian-American bookstore in Boston’s North End. It was my first actual talk about THE LOVE FOOL and about me – something I struggle to talk about but it was quite therapeutic to sort out my life and share my stories. I was super flattered that the crew at I AM Books asked me back for their book club meeting to answer reader’s questions about THE LOVE FOOL.
July to September
In mid July, I participated in the Summer Romance Author Festival at the Barnes & Noble in Framingham, MA. There I met more fellow authors and new readers excited to dive into THE LOVE FOOL. Late July, I exhibited at the New England Authors Book Expo in Danvers, MA – where I met even more local authors and talked to more readers.
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During this time, THE LOVE FOOL was listed on prominent publications including Publisher’s Weekly and The New York Book Review, and got a raving review on Kirkus Reviews. THE LOVE FOOL also received three separate five-star reviews from ReadersFavorite.com and became a Finalist in Fiction for the Best Book Awards.
In August, I was featured in the THE LOVE FOOL Blog Tour which took place on multiple blogs in USA, Canada and UK. I also created a Spotify playlist with songs that I listened to while writing THE LOVE FOOL.
In September, I took a break and went to Germany for a couple of weeks, there I worked on writing my new story; which is still a work in progress. But in late September, I attended another book club meeting answering questions and getting insight from a group of awesome readers.
October to December
In October, I had booked two big events. The first, was at my Alma Mater Suffolk University in Boston. As part of the Mildred F Sawyer Library Speaker Series, I spoke to students, staff, faculty and alumni about THE LOVE FOOL and my background. In mid-October, Eataly Boston hosted an Aperitivo with Lorenzo Petruzziello, where I again spoke about my background and writing THE LOVE FOOL. This ticketed talk was accompanied by Negroni, Prosecco, appetizers and Bucatini all’Amatriciana; followed by a book signing.
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Later October, I flew out to Los Angeles for a couple of initial meetings regarding THE LOVE FOOL including potential book signings and more. There is nothing to report on this front – but should anything come into fruition, I’ll be sure to keep you all posted.
In November, I stopped all marketing and PR efforts for THE LOVE FOOL. That launch was a lot of work and done in my spare time! I felt I had accomplished all I wanted and more, but I do continue looking for any situation I can include THE LOVE FOOL. Instead, I focused on celebrating my 44th birthday, then Thanksgiving.
In December, I decided to really get my new story some attention. I reorganized my writing area, reviewed all the notes I had made from the past year, and finally began the writing process. It will be a slow one folks, so please bear with me.
All in all, I’d say my debut novel was quite a success! Thank you to all who purchased and read my book. I loved hearing and reading all the feedback – it’s so cool to hear the effect my little story had on people. Such passionate readers – I love it!
And thank you to everyone who followed me on Instagram and other social media sites. Cheers to whatever 2019 may bring!
Laura @ Italy Book Tours says
What an exciting year you had Lorenzo! Congrats on the success of The Love Fool. I look forward to reading your next novel!
LorenZo says
Thank you, Laura! :)
Andrea Hanson says
Quite an impressive year, Lorenzo! Congratulations on your well-earned success with The Love Fool. It was fun to follow your progress from the early stages and then your wonderful experiences after publication. I wish you even more success with your next novel.
Tanti auguri – Buon Anno –
LorenZo says
Thank you, Andrea! And thank you for all the moral support!! Buon Anno a voi!