Suzanne Simonetti -

Tell us about yourself.

SUZANNE SIMONETTI grew up in the New York suburbs, just outside of the city. After earning a BS in marketing, she spent several years writing press releases until she left her corporate job to focus on her passion for crafting fiction. She lives on Cape May Harbor with her husband. When not on her paddleboard or yoga mat, she can be found at the beach, trailing the shoreline for seashells, scribbling in her notebook, and channeling dolphins for meaningful conversation.

What genre do you write and why did you pick this genre?

I write upmarket women’s fiction which is also my go-to genre of books I enjoy reading. My debut novel, The Sound of Wings, released on May 4, 2021.

Tell us about your book

The story is set in Cape May, New Jersey, where I have lived for the last six years, and surrounds the lives of three principal characters. All of them are women, from different walks of life, varying in age, and struggling with their own life battles. They end up finding their way to each other and form unexpected, life-altering bonds. The key themes in the book are self-discovery, friendship, and freedom from the past.

How long, on average, does it take you to write your books?

I spend at least 1 year to 18 months or more crafting and editing a book, from the first word of the outline to the final polished draft. Since I am gearing up for my book launch, I have devoted all of my time to my career as an author.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

The best money I ever spent was with my publicist, Caitlin Hamilton Summie, who has guided me along these unfamiliar roads and taught me quite a bit about the industry.

What is the most challenging part of being an author?

The biggest challenge I have to face as an author is having to use both sides of my brain: one side for creativity and imagination, and the other for marketing and logistics. It can tire one out. I am better when I can just lose myself in crafting my story world and characters, but there really is no way to get around the business end of being a writer when you have a book to promote.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

My advice to those who are just starting out or floundering would be to try and find a mentor. There are classes you can take to meet fellow writers and teachers who can strengthen your writing skills and help you define a career path that meets your desired objectives.

My other piece of advice would be to read outside of your own genre. I recently read The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.S. Schwab which is a romantic fantasy, and I was completely taken by the story. I also just read The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, which is historical fiction, and found it to be brilliant. Sometimes, reading the work of another can whet your creativity and imagination in ways you never believed possible.