An Interview with Linda Romanowski

Linda M. Romanowski returned to Rosemont College (Class of 1975) to obtain an MFA in Creative Writing, Non-Fiction in 2021. Her thesis, Final Touchstones, earned with distinction, was published by Brown Posey Press, an imprint of Sunbury Press in January 2023. Additional non-fiction and poetry publications include The City Key, the Mario Lanza Institute Facebook page and website, Moonstone Arts, Ovunque Siamo, and Vine Leaves Press. Her book reviews appear in Philadelphia Stories magazine, the Italian American Herald newspaper, Amazon, Good Reads, and the Sunbury Press website. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Library Company of Philadelphia accepted Final Touchstones into their collection in 2023. Final Touchstones won the Sunbury Press 2023 SUNNY Award for Non-Fiction. It was nominated for the Eric Hoffer Book Award for 2023 for Memoir where it earned Category Finalist status.

You can buy a copy of Final Touchstones here!

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

As a child, I was extremely curious about what the adults were doing with pencils, and what it was about holding large papers in their hands (newspapers) that was so captivating. My father began teaching me to read when I was four years old. I memorized every book my mother read to me at bedtime and corrected her when she attempted to take a reading shortcut. It seems it was always in me to write. The writers who had an early and permanent effect on me still remain Lousia May Alcott and Anne Frank.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I worked in financial institutions, in customer service. I was the Rosemont College alumni board president during the Pandemic. Four outdoor commencement ceremonies took place in 2021. I gave the alumni welcome speech four times, the only alumni president to do so. Let’s hope this never happens again!

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I taught myself not to “get stuck” when attempting to assemble my writing. To just kept going, do something else, even “sleeping” on it. An obstacle to be set aside, I learned to trust my judgment. Titles came and went through my brain. One day, while discussing my thesis progression with Carla Spataro, the Rosemont MFA Program director, we talked about our mutual Italian heritage, and how much we missed our elders. I’m certain it was Carla who commented that they are our Final Touchstones. It was as if the sun burst through the clouds! I can only describe it as a progression, struggling to surface, no time or angst wasted.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It was the most astounding experience, unlike any other. I flipped through the book frantically, exclaiming that my words were in my hands. I even paused, stunned, thinking out loud, “Did I really write these words?!” Yes, I did write these words! And seeing the Italian phrases brought tears. The cover captured the heart and soul of the story, the invitation. It has prompted much commentary by readers, and heightened the family mystery regarding who took the photo, and when it was taken. I am so grateful to Frankie Reed, assigned by Sunbury Press, for working with me to produce perfection. He was as delighted as I was. While you can’t tell a book by its cover, it has to tell something to the reader, as humans are attracted primarily by sight. Eye appeal is the first opportunity to make a good impression. And having a long surname on the spine as a positive aspect is something I had never considered!

There is no adequate way to express my gratitude to the additional editors who brought the interior of my book to life. First, Abigail Henson, the editor, who never made me feel our manuscript correspondence was a burden. Who guided me, while keeping my words my own. Navigating the Italian phrases could have been a nightmare; Abigail was quite intrigued, and patient with my explanations. There were certain things I felt strongly should be a certain way. We developed a mutual respect which often is the exception. Then, there’s Crystal Devine, the Interior Design editor, who rose to the challenge of my hybrid approach, prose with poetry attached to several stories. Some of the poems were a structural challenge, and her tenacity brought the poetry genre to the most exceptional light. Her best work was the arrangement of “Downstairs, Upstairs, Outside” in the portrayal of one of the “character voices”. Crystal handled the design with finesse and produced a far more genuine image that words alone could not provide. I will always feel my book came into its own thanks to their devotion and interest.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

This delightful question will be best served by placing the music in the appropriate section:

Section I Italian – Italian: Tchaikovsky – “Capriccio Italiano,” Dvorak – “New World Symphony,” Leoncavallo – “Pagliacci – Vesti la giubba,” Gruber – “Silent Night.”

Section II Italian – American: Glenn Miller – “In the Mood,” Webber and Rice – “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” Berlin – “Easter Parade.”

Section III American – Italian: Bind and Calabrese – “Arrivederci.”

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

My hope is continually realized and reinforced by the overwhelming response of readers who tell me how much they loved my book and immediately tell me a family story. My dream fulfilled, because everybody has a similar story, has a favorite relative, has an ethnic slice of their life they share. This is my perfect reader, the one who takes my writings and connects them to their own lives. I encourage them with gratefulness to write those stories down, and to talk to anyone who knows something of their family history. How I so regret I didn’t ask more questions. When my centenarian cousin Mary died, it devastated me.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

I never expected how it would make me feel, I thought it was all in the writing, I found myself seeing life and my relatives differently, overwhelming at times. There were moments where I could feel the mental sweat of how shocking it is that I’m here. I always knew I was lucky, but now I know I am blessed. It also leaves me with unrest, with thoughts of forgiveness, with moments of unexplainable grief. It means the world to me that at the age of 70, my first book was published. It’s rewarding to see my cousin’s children and grandchildren interested in our family. It’s meaningful that a publishing company such as Sunbury Press took the risk of considering my writing. No one ever told me I was too old, or too this or that. Your selecting me from a group of 600 is epic for me! I hope my journey will inspire others to life-long learn, and not believe they are “too this or too that” to venture into the unknown. Every one of us has something to offer. The greatest reward was my presenting a bound thesis copy of the book to my cousin Mary for her 100th birthday. When she told me, “Linda, you got it right!” nothing else mattered.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I will attend the Rosemont College Summer Writing Retreat in July, with the intention of determining where to proceed. Should there be a follow-up book, or should I tackle another genre? I also ache to read some of the books patiently waiting for me in my reading tower. There are other opportunities in community readings and related topics I hope to pursue. Pulling out the sewing machine and continuing in my grandmother’s sewing steps is a prime consideration. And learning Italian, beyond the short phrases and curse words!

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