Laughter Lessons: An Interview with Maria Orlando & Nick Pappas, authors of Mediterranean Mothers
Maria Orlando: native Jersey gal, well schooled in Italian guilt. Teacher of English for 30+ years.
Nick Pappas: in Jersey his whole life. First generation Greek/American, grandfather, Vietnam Vet, history teacher 30+ years.
You can buy the book here.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The book’s title formed itself. We would talk every day about the guilt our aunts and mothers regularly laid upon us, and there you go: Mediterranean Mothers – Masters of Guilt.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
EXHILIRATING! It’s one thing to envision it, but when you see it…WOW!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
We’ve both been writing pretty much our whole lives. I think we influenced each other…perhaps because our roots can be traced to islands in the Mediterranean.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
We both speak fluent Greek; Maria also speaks Italian and Spanish.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Reading it and re-living our “adventures” with our relatives.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Mama, That’s Amore, and California Here I Come.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
That life takes twists and turns, and sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.
The perfect reader? Anyone whose parents used guilt as a weapon…
What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?
We are working on a book almost ready for publication: It’s What We Do: Snapshots From 65 Years in High School. Published last year, a novel: Lunch With Maria – A Sicilian Odyssey.
You can buy the book here.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.
