Interview With Author Joseph Licari
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Joseph L. Licari (Joe) is a dedicated author from Saint James, Long Island, who transitioned from a successful business career to focus on family, writing, and music. With his coaching and mentoring experience, Joe’s work as a guitar instructor for a major music retailer allows him to inspire children to learn in fun and engaging ways, a quality that shines through in his writing. He also conducts author visits and workshops in elementary schools, libraries, bookstores, and other venues.
Joe’s debut book, Mia’s Mouses, was awarded the 2024 Pencraft 1st Place Book Award for Children in the K-3rd – General Genre. This heartwarming children’s story introduces young readers to regular and irregular plural nouns through the adventures of a young girl and her mouse friends. Joe also published Mia’s Mouses Workbook and Coloring Book to further enhance the learning experience with interactive activities like crossword puzzles, word searches, coloring pages, and plural noun worksheets making it an invaluable tool for teachers and parents.
Joe holds an MBA from Hofstra University, a B.S. from Stony Brook University and has completed several certificates in Creative Writing. Joe is an active member of the Smithtown Library Writing Group, Long Island Children’s Writers and Illustrators (LICWI), and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book, scheduled for release in early 2025, is “Mia’s Marvelous Farm Adventure”. The inspiration behind this and my first book, “Mia’s Mouses”, stems from my family’s personal experiences and observations. My wife and I raised three daughters, all of whom now have advanced or graduate degrees and successful careers. Throughout my business career, I recognized the importance of effective communication skills on a daily basis. A solid foundation in reading and writing is crucial for success and personal fulfillment in society. We have also been actively involved in our community and have witnessed the increasing need for ESL education as our population has grown and changed. There is significant pressure on teachers and the education system to follow structured curriculums, sometimes limiting their ability to spend extra time with students in areas of interest or difficulty. We strongly believe that education should be enjoyable and engaging, like sports and dancing. Learning should be fun, and children should be celebrated for their curiosity and interest in asking questions while seeking answers as they embark on a lifelong journey of continuous learning. My books are wonderful stories for parents to read and early readers to enjoy, while making learning fun along the way.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Some writers are successful writing for 1 hour per day, but that hasn’t worked for me. I write best when I have a significant amount of contiguous time, at least 3 or 4 hours, and even longer is better. I value this time to get completely absorbed in my characters and their worlds, and the themes, challenges and key learnings that evolve as a result.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I consider both Stephen King and Dr. Seuss as mentors, despite their very different styles. Stephen King is a master writer of suspenseful stories with deep characters and complex themes. His book, “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” is a great resource for writers. Dr. Seuss uses rhymes and simple language to create imaginative stories that are fun for kids and teach important lessons. Both have influenced my writing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t rush to publish and release of your books. Writing takes time, and its the journey that’s most rewarding. Give yourself plenty of time to do many revisions, get feedback from others, and revise again and again. The results will be spectacular.
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