Interview With Author Lisa Montanaro
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Ciao, I’m Lisa—part no-nonsense Italian American New Yorker and part sunny Californian. I’ve worn many hats, including a performer, teacher of deaf students, employment lawyer, executive coach, productivity consultant, speaker, and author.
Like many writers, I grew up with my head in books. I loved reading, and it was one of the great joys of my childhood. I also loved writing and came to it at a very young age. My writing background is a mash up of fiction and nonfiction. I wrote stories and poetry as a young girl and filled countless journals (a therapeutic habit that has stayed with me into my adult years). Then I became a lawyer and learned the craft of legal writing. Since I left my law career in 2004, I’ve published hundreds of articles, blog posts, and newspaper columns through my consulting, coaching, and speaking business, and as a freelance writer. In 2016, I decided I wanted to write a novel and that started me down the path of writing what would become my debut novel.
I write book club fiction featuring complex characters breaking barriers and fighting to truly be themselves despite obstacles in their way—including the time they live in and societal stigmas. My debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, was inspired by my family history and examines the corrosive nature of secrets—those we keep from ourselves, from each other, and from society. It released in January 2025 by Red Adept Publishing in print and eBook, and in May 2025 on audiobook produced by Tantor Media, narrated by Annalee Scott. I’m honored that it was awarded first place for LGBTQ Fiction in the 2024 International Firebird Book Awards, Honorable Mention in General Fiction in the 2025 Los Angeles Book Festival, and finalist for LGBTQ Fiction in the National Indie Excellence Awards.
I’m also the author of the nonfiction book, The Ultimate Life Organizer, published by Peter Pauper Press in 2011, and contributed the chapter “The Brand Called You” in the anthology Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book in 2024.
I serve as webinar host for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). When not writing, I enjoy cycling and hiking with my veterinarian husband, tending to my garden, and chasing after my rescue dog. I’ve enjoyed living snow-free since 2012 in Northern California, where I’ve made it my mission to sample the wines of the region.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I think many fiction authors wind up writing novels with strong themes that impact them over their lifetime. Everything We Thought Was True is a multi-generational Italian American family drama told in dual timeline that deconstructs a secret that forever shapes a family. Everything We Thought Was True is a deeply personal, but fictional, novel. It’s inspired by my family’s unique story. The novel unfolds over multiple decades through three family members’ voices and explores what we pass to future generations. The characters are all trying to live their lives while the world and the truth are encroaching. Many families have secrets that shape future generations. I hope readers resonate with what it’s like for a person and family to suffer emotional trauma or loss, and how it affects their lives.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I draw from my performance background and use a version of Method acting to create and embody the characters in my novel, and even perform my scenes out loud. I also dictate some of my scenes voice-to-text if they come to me when I’m not in a good position to type—like when I am cycling!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Diary of Anne Frank sparked my interest in writing as a young girl, which began my lifelong habit of journaling. As an adult reader and writer, the author Ann Patchett is my go-to. I love anything she writes—personal essays, memoirs, and novels.
What are you working on now?
I’m very excited about the concept for my next novel, which is historical fiction set in the early 1950s, and features a trio of trail-blazing women who break barriers in legal education. Think of a mash up of Hidden Figures, Lessons in Chemistry, and The Paper Chase. I’m in the early stages of research, character development, and scene identification. I’m looking forward to diving into the writing stage soon. I love getting the first draft of a manuscript down—it feels like falling in love!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love to take a multi-tiered approach to mix up my marketing and reach readers. I post regularly on my author website’s Events and News Page, and blog. I adore doing in person events at indie bookstores and libraries, and speaking at writer conferences. I love to visit with book clubs virtually and in person. I use pretty much every social media platform. I send out a monthly author newsletter—Prosecco & Prose. And I participate in promo newsletters like AwesomeGang! I love talking all things bookish anywhere and anyway, and being in conversation with writers and readers. They are my peeps!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Surround yourself with “believing eyes”—people who will support you on your writing journey.
Be persistent and have patience! And exhibit a growth mindset to believe in yourself, take feedback, handle rejection, collaborate with a team of publishing professionals to create a finished publishable work, and the vulnerability and courage to release that work into the world.
Also, do your due diligence! Follow other authors, get to know publishers, watch the industry, look for the changes. Know the pros and cons of each publishing path and consider that each book may have its own journey. Perhaps even take a book-by-book approach. I think many of us will change up publishing paths over the arc of our author career.
If you’re a nonfiction writer moving to fiction, think of the ways your nonfiction writing background have had a positive impact on your fiction writing. Many nonfiction writers have experience meeting deadlines and word count, working collaboratively with others on documents, and accepting criticism of work product, all of which are valuable for a fiction writing career. Also, it’s a misconception that nonfiction writers aren’t good with story. A great nonfiction writer can weave facts into a narrative that tells a compelling story. My advice is to take stock of what your nonfiction writing background brings to you as strengths and leverage those.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That you can have it all—just not at the same time!
What are you reading now?
I recently read The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros. It left me with such a book hangover! This was my first book by Rebecca Yarros, but it won’t be my last. I loved this dual timeline novel, with one story set in present day, and the other during WWII. There was so much to weave together, and the author did it beautifully. There’s a story within a story—one of the characters is an author and unearths letters from the past. Meanwhile, the reader is experiencing what’s happening in those letters through the characters in the past. Very cool! There’s love, romance (with some surprisingly steamy sex scenes in both the past and present stories), heartbreak, history, and surprise. I cried some tears of sadness and happiness while reading this one.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve now caught the fiction bug and plan to write as many novels as I can! I’m also looking forward to presenting virtually and in person for writer conferences, teaching webinars and workshops for writer groups, being a guest on podcasts, visiting with book clubs, and doing more events at indie bookstores and libraries. I’ve been honored to be asked to blurb some fantastic upcoming books by other authors. I love being a literary citizen!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh this is such a tough question! These books come to mind at this moment: Howard’s End by EM Forster, Beartown by Fredrik Backman, Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. (Yes, that’s 5 books but my imaginary raft can fit them!)
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