Today’s interview is with Mary Feliciani, author of The Invisible Boy!
I hope you enjoy it!
Best,
Vincent Lowry
1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?
My name is Mary Feliciani, and I am a Canadian author and publisher from Mississauga, Ontario.
2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
My latest eBook, The Invisible Boy, is the second installment of what will be a trilogy about bullying that happens in a school environment. It is about a boy who feels invisible at school. Although it is part of a trilogy, it is also a stand-alone.
3) What is the book about?
Carlo, the main character, feels invisible at school for a day. The reader is taken through his lonely and painful journey as the other students ignore him. I think the story creates empathy and enlightenment for students that haven’t gone through this kind of experience.
4) Where did you come up with the idea?
I taught elementary school for many years. It became apparent to me that the issue of bullying was a challenge for both teachers and parents alike. The story is a great way for teachers and parents to ignite a discussion about bullying. Not all children realize that shunning is a form of bullying. There are discussion questions at the end of the book to help put the story in perspective.
5) How long did it take you to write it?
It is difficult to say because I don’t sit down to write until most of the story is written in my head. This is a good way to avoid writer’s block. If I have to put a time frame on the process, it would be a year. This includes the writing, editing, illustrations and publishing.
6) Did you learn anything from the project?
The Invisible Boy is my fourth book. I find that one story idea leads to another. It becomes easier for the creativity to flow once you are emerged in writing or storytelling.
7) Do you have an author website and/or blog?
Yes, I have both.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14210392.Mary_Feliciani
Website: https://www.mfpublishing.com
8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?
The best advice that I can give anyone who wants to publish a book is that they should join Goodreads. It is the simplest way of acquiring reviews. My other piece of advice is to have your work edited by a professional editor. I have two editors who respectively do a first and second reading of the books. I have been very lucky to have employed two great illustrators. I am a small publisher but try to do everything that a traditional publisher does, but on a smaller scale. My illustrators are given credit on the cover of my books. If you want information on my editors, ask on my website or message me on Goodreads.
9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
The Mystery genre has intrigued me since I was a teenager. It never gets old. I also like Historical Fiction. I have read books by new authors and I enjoy writing reviews when I am inspired. Writing a review after being enthralled with a book, is like savouring the flavour of it.
10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?
Since mysteries are my go-to books, and I have to choose just one, I will pick Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. And Then There Were None is a close second. Agatha Christie is the queen of the cozy mystery. These two books have all the puzzle-solving qualities of a good mystery, but they also have a moral dilemma in each. Since joining Goodreads, I have been introduced to, and appreciated the works of, Tana French and Donna Leon.
*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.