Paolo
Mazzucato is an American fiction author and screenwriter. He began his
writing career as a Chicago playwright and award-winning
student filmmaker before moving to Los Angeles where he won awards
for screenwriting and scripted various projects for film and television.
He is also the author of several children’s books including: “No One
Mocks a Panda” (an Amazon #1 Best Seller, Feb. 2019), and “The
Absolutely True Story of La Befana” (an Amazon Holiday Top 100 title).
He is also the author of the fantasy/adventure novel, “The Gondoliers:
The Secret Journals of Fanticulous Glim,” a “recommended” read by the US
Review of Books.
Mazzucato’s new book will be launched on Sunday, September 22nd at the Orange County
Children’s Book Festival in Costa Mesa, California.
Find out more about the author on his website: www.writer.mazzucato.org and follow him on his social media (Facebook, X and Instagram).
Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself to write this?
I think research for a book, especially in fiction, is a constant and
continual process. Little ideas that occur to you…themes that weave
themselves into your day-to-day life…moments that you file away in
memory, become the springboard for characters, scenes and stories. With
AJ and the Incredible Fish, the characters are definitely fused from
personalities and philosophies of people I have encountered in some form
throughout my life. And while AJ’s adventure is certainly fantastical,
the underlying purpose of each step in the journey relates in a very
real way to steps that we each take in deciding what risks we are
willing to chance and what path we choose to follow. The particulars of
setting, of course, will help make a story feel authentic, and for that
reason, I like to blend my created world with some aspect of the real
world. AJ’s home and life in Maui stems from my spending time in that
setting with extended family. While certain specifics are researched,
most of the description that gives life to that place comes from
first-hand experience of the town and rhythms you experience there. I
did do a bit of traditional research when it came to the portions of the
story at sea—terms and practical knowledge—because while those scenes
are windswept in fantasy, they still need to have a foot firmly in a
reality that makes sense.
Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book? Why?
I had heard that, ideally, the best time for a fantasy release is the
beginning of summer, when school wraps up and people on vacation are
ready to spend time with a fun adventure. That idea may still be valid,
but maybe summer fun, these days, is more about outdoor activities.
Curling
up with a good book may be more of a Winter holiday pursuit. So,
launching AJ at the end of September at the Orange County Children’s
Book Festival turned out to be a good option. Hopefully, kids and
parents (and grandparents) will find the journey of AJ and his Grandpa
to be a charming and even exciting prospect for their Winter break.
How did you choose your cover?
The collage of images from AJ’s adventure over an old world map of the
seas was an image in my head even as I was still finishing the book. I
had mocked up some art with character silhouettes over a compass and map
early on, and when I met with an illustrator much later, I had very
detailed ideas and compositions for the cover and each of the twenty-two
chapter heading graphics and twenty-two chapter illustrations. I
eventually forged ahead with the art, trying to recreate the cover and
images from my mock-ups and from those in my head to best capture the
fun and adventure of the story.
What's your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?
As a writer, the goal is certainly to share your work with as many
people as possible; however, you should never forget or dismiss the fact
that it is, in fact, work. I was once told that work that is given away
has been treated the same as work with no value. Now, giving some
copies as a tool for marketing is a calculated expense, but that’s what
it is, an expense that will hopefully generate interest among a wider
audience.
I am not a fan of giving free things to people who just don’t think they should have to pay for anything.
What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?
After finishing, let it sit for a while; then, reread it. If you can
allow yourself sometime to “forget” the story, then you might be able to
see the parts that are unclear or that just don’t work. That, of
course, leads to the next “important” thing you should do which is
rewrite. If a chapter or section isn’t serving the story or the
characters, cut it.
Save it in a separate file if you like, but
streamline the story so that is doesn’t get bogged down in tangents that
you once thought were entertaining but are, on the whole, irrelevant.
Then let someone else read it, preferably not someone who just loves
everything you do (grazie, Mamma). A critical, fresh eye will find more
parts that don’t make sense or don’t further the story. Cut or rework
those parts too.
Obviously correcting type-o’s and formatting errors goes without saying.
Then,
when you are sure your story is the best you can make it…read it again,
start to finish, several times. I guarantee you will stumble over
another awkward phrase or mind-boggling type-o that you missed. Finally,
after all that, create an Advance Review Copy (ARC) to get the ball
rolling with some legitimate, professional reviews.
What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?
Unless you, as a writer, are also an expert in marketing, it helps to
find someone else to champion or promote your book. Whether that’s an
agent or manager or publicist, having a professional whose expertise
will put your work in front of the right eyes and help it stand out in
an otherwise crowded field, will make a big difference.
What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?
For me, AJ and the Incredible Fish is both epic and personal. The story
is a flight of fantasy that takes the reader on a grand adventure full
of strange, new places and peculiar characters; but at its heart, it is a
tale of personal growth and discovery. AJ’s relationship to his new
friend Livvy and especially to his Grandpa is just as much a journey as
is their quest to find the incredible fish. I hope that young readers
will enjoy the action-filled adventure while recognizing AJ’s hopes,
doubts and uncertainties in themselves as well. And I hope older readers
will see in the subtext, a story that is just as relevant for those of
us who must continue to reach for the “extraordinary” in life, to see
the “horizon beyond the waves.”
Inside the Book
Title: AJ and the Incredible Fish
Author: Paolo Mazzucato
Publication Date: September 10, 2024
Pages: 316
Genre: Fantasy Adventure (Tweens 9-14)
Could a fish hold the key to belief?
AJ
and the Incredible Fishby Paolo Mazzucato is a captivating fantasy
adventure that’s perfect for tweens aged 9-14, especially boys who love a
blend of excitement and deeper meaning.
This story takes young readers on an unforgettable journey that blends the wonders of fantasy with the realities of growing up.
Eleven-year-old
AJ is a relatable character who starts off skeptical of fairy tales and
grand adventures, but when his Grandpa unexpectedly sets sail on a
quest to find a legendary fish, AJ finds himself pulled into a world
where anything is possible.
Alongside
an eccentric girl named Livvy, AJ faces perilous challenges, encounters
extraordinary characters, and discovers that the true adventure lies in
believing in the impossible.
This
book is more than just an adventure; it's a story about trust, courage,
and the power of belief. It encourages young readers to embrace their
imagination, face their fears, and understand that sometimes, the
greatest treasures in life are the dreams we dare to chase.
Ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians seeking a fantasy fiction adventure that inspires and entertains.
Don’t miss out—let AJ’s journey spark imaginations!
AJ AND THE INCREDIBLE FISH
is available in hardcover for $24.95 and in Paperback for $18.95. It
can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BepiBooks.com and other
online book sellers. (and at the Orange County Children’s Book Festival,
Sept. 22, 2024 https://www.kidsbookfestival.com/
BepiBooks: https://bepibooks.com/aj.html
Publication date: September 10, 2024; Publisher: Bepi Books
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paolo-Mazzucato/author/B07PHNMF53
Amazon Hard Cover Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737989840?
AJ and the Incredible Fish — Hard Cover: 978-1-7379898-4-4; 316 pages, 24.95
AJ and the Incredible Fish — Paperback: 978-1-7379898-5-1, 316 pages, 18.95
Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/AJ-Incredible-Fish-Paolo-Mazzucato/dp/1737989859
