Interview With Author Giancarlo Caracciolo
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello to all the American audience who follow this fantastic portal for reading enthusiasts! I am Giancarlo Caracciolo, born in Taranto (do you know Puglia!?) in 1987. I am the author of three books and an employee experience and engagement analyst. In 2006, I began dedicating myself to writing on numerous web portals on diverse topics such as music, publishing, cinema, society, communication, labor politics, and later in my professional field. In 2018, I published my debut book ‘Internet Has Killed Rock’ (Les Flâneurs Edizioni). In 2020, I published the book ‘Simulation Of Muse: Beyond Reality’ (Fides Edizioni). Then, in 2023, I published the book ‘Internet Has Killed Rock II’ (Les Flâneurs Edizioni), a sequel to the previous chapter. Starting in 2024, I will be an editor for the magazine KIT – Keep In Touch. I don’t miss out on cross-disciplinary editorial experiences!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
After my first book Internet Killed the Rock and its good reception, I wanted to reopen the topic, using the same hybrid formula, a mix of narrative and essay, in order to try to understand if there are indeed possibilities for a revival of a musical genre like rock, which is now outside the mainstream. Yes, because today rock, which was able to define entire generations, is fading away. From Ozzy Osbourne, who performed his last live show in Birmingham, to Oasis reuniting fueled by nostalgia, not to mention the umpteenth album from the Foo Fighters, this rock reminds us that time flows, it won’t last forever, and the replacements don’t seem, so to speak, up to par, not even in the USA, where you have delighted us for decades. Good artists are still around, but everything seems to be contained in a gradual eclipse. The light, so to speak, comes from other musical currents, certainly not from rock.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nice question! Generally no, although having a 24-hour view of the Mediterranean Sea, I would say it can help write beautiful things, don’t you think?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
While I was writing Internet Killed Rock II, I read Ronen Givony and Joel McIver, both essayists with an extreme passion for music; I believe I was partly influenced by their way of exploring anecdotes and curiosities, but stylistically I remained true to the personal formula used in the first text. And then there was Jeff Blue’s book on Linkin Park, which I literally adored. I think everyone should read it, at least the emerging artists who dream of a career, and then the curious ones in the world, those who wonder how certain things come to be. Meanwhile, however, the last book I read is by Cicero, as thinkers are typical around here.
What are you working on now?
As I mentioned before, I am dedicating much of my time as an editor on a project of a corporate nature, KIT – Keep In Touch. My company TP Italia, a global leader in customer service, has assigned me a task that is as complex as it is intriguing: to try to create a center for connecting thoughts on topics that are relevant to us for the working communities, particularly for those in customer care. And to do all this on paper: unusual these days, but in the end, paper always wins because it has its charm; a bit like playing with instruments instead of just relying on samples or even generative software based on AI.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
More and more times I have been advised to focus on online promotion, particularly with videos on social media, or on mass communication channels like Twitch or TikTok. Personally, and perhaps in line with what I argue in ‘Internet Killed Rock I and II’, I believe that some messages are tailored for certain channels. Just as I think that the new generation of rock musicians can’t find their place among the TikTok dances, I believe that some topics should be addressed in appropriate ways: book fairs, festivals, cultural events, and so on. Will it reach fewer people? Maybe, but those people are there to listen to you, not to scroll past you after 10 seconds. Yes, it’s a discussion that runs parallel to the changes in music. Someone once said: the medium is the message. Well, that’s my case. I don’t want to talk to a hundred thousand distracted people; I prefer a hundred attentive people: that’s how networking was done before, and I would say things weren’t so bad.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
that of persevering and making the best of the best. Today writing is now simple, but doing it with thought is more difficult. Listening to others’ opinions without getting too influenced, and then never giving up at the first obstacles, but moving forward with a spirit of initiative and a lot of fun.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
particular question… more than advice, I remember a deepening that was called something like: “the time of sowing.” There is a time to sow, and a time to reap the fruits. This applies a bit to many aspects of life, and nature teaches us this, not a guru. Yes, I believe it’s one of the best pieces of advice I’ve come across!
What are you reading now?
a Canadian author, Robin Sharma, who wrote “The Leader Who Had No Title”. I believe it is functional in relation to some work goals, but also in life.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Surely carrying forward the vastness of the content present in the two volumes of Internet Killed the Rock, and then I am also following other projects, in addition to the work one. I am thinking of Il Novelliere, an Italian magazine for which I write about music in a high-profile context but free from the logic of ‘constraints’. I believe this is the constant: freedom of expression and high profile.
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?
Frankly, I wouldn’t know. It’s not like bringing you your favorite CDs or vinyls. As you might have guessed, many of my readings are close to my artistic world, so I definitely reiterate One Step Closer: From Xero to #1: Becoming Linkin Park by Jeff Blue. But in the past, I also enjoyed Tom Clancy’s worldview a lot; both in political and military terms, he has always been a visionary. So, I think I would recover some of his works, as they might be more relevant than ever.
Author Websites and Profiles
Giancarlo Caracciolo Amazon Profile
Giancarlo Caracciolo’s Social Media Links
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