Italian children's author Manuela Monari talks to Open Book about her sources of inspiration, her advice for aspiring writers and her book the Zero Kisses for Me, illustrated by Virginie Soumagnac and published in Canada by Tundra Books.
Open Book:
Tell us about your book Zero Kisses For Me.
Manuela Monari:
Zero Kisses for Me was born in a very realistic way. One evening, I was tucking my seven-year-old-son Thomas to sleep, and suddenly he said no longer wanted to be kissed! So I closed the door of his room, sat at my desk, and all of a sudden this story came.
Open Book:
What was your first publication?
MM:
My first publication was in 2000, titled Zen and the Art of Cake. Zero Kisses for Me was published in Italy a decade ago by another publishing house that decided not to reprint it. The publishing editor at ZOOlibri, Corrado Rabitti, had always loved that story, so when my contract ended with the original publishing house, ZOOlibri published a new edition with fresh and dynamic illustrations.
OB:
Describe a recent cultural experience that influenced your writing.
MM:
A cultural experience that is influencing the way I write lately is observing and perceiving the world and people. I feel that we're living in a complex and darker era, like we are all lost in a race with unclear targets and no values and aspirations. I see people a little adrift, tired of running, tired of suffering, tired of distrust of materiality.
So lately my books for children have had a more poetic, simple but affective technique, which run through the values that make you open your eyes to see beauty where it is so clear and accessible to all, to "feel" again with "heart." To live again with intense solidarity.
Even the kisses or hugs (or texts I am writing) are subtle elements that can be included in the puzzle of this reflection. Gestures are old, but new in the gift that we can do at all.
OB:
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
MM:
It 's very simple: as with every dream and goal, Never give up! Be tenacious, BELIEVE. Go knocking on many doors, DO NOT WITHDRAW. Because sooner or later the commitment, enthusiasm and passion are the best in the game of life.
Technically, listen to advice and always try to change and improve!
OB:
Do you have any upcoming projects in mind?
MM:
Unfortunately for me I always have too many projects in mind. I do not write in an systematic way, because I am a teacher and until recently was also the librarian. But the inspiration is received as a flower that blooms when it arrives, and so the material that I produce at the end is large. Then slowly, after further consideration, I contact illustrators to collaborate on projects, or sometimes I send my projects directly to the publishers.
I currently have three books out: Above and Below, (Lapis Editions), I'm Just A PIG! (Lineadaria Editions) and The Race of the Snail, (ZOOlibri).
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MANUELA MONARI has been writing since she was an imaginative child growing up in Italy. Her children's books are known across Europe. She is also a teacher and bookseller of children's books in Modena, Italy. Please visit her website at www.manuelamonari.it.
For more information about Zero Kisses for Me please visit the Tundra Books website.
Buy this book at your local independent bookstore or online at Chapters/Indigo or Amazon.
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