Two local authors – Elisa Speranza and Vincent B. “Chip” LoCoco – will discuss “Unlock Your Writing Potential,” at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. There is no registration.

LoCoco and Speranza encourage writers of all levels to attend, even to those who “haven’t yet dared to call themselves writers.” They will share craft tips and tricks, demystify pathways to publishing, and provide advice on how to find readers.

Time Activity Notes
9:30 – 9:45 Introductions and agenda review Introduce ourselves and answer the question about why we write; participants introduce themselves
9:45 – 10:00 Best writing advice we’ve received Share general writing advice they’ve gotten over the years that has stuck with us
10:00 – 10:15 Craft tips and tricks Words of wisdom from authors, teachers, and editors on elements of craft
10:15 – 10:30 Pathways to publication Agents, traditional publishers, independent publishers, hybrid, self-publishing—pros and cons, realistic assessment
10:30 – 10:45 Ask Us Anything The floor is open on any topic—there are no stupid questions!

Elisa M. Speranza is the granddaughter of Irish and Italian immigrants, raised Catholic, and educated by nuns. She's been a writer and book nerd all her life. Her first paid job was in the children's room of her town's public library, and she was a journalist early in her career before spending thirty-plus years in the water and critical infrastructure business. The Italian Prisoner is her first novel. A native Bostonian and die-hard Red Sox fan, Speranza moved to New Orleans in 2002.

Chip LoCoco is an estate planning attorney in New Orleans' first book was Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera. It was awarded the Pinnacle Award in Historical Fiction. His next novel, A Song for Bellafortuna, forms Book 1 of his Bellafortuna Series. That novel won the B.R.A.G Medallion Award in Historical Fiction and was short-list as a finalist in the William Faulkner Writing Competition. Book 2 of the Bellafortuna series is Saving the Music. It too has been listed as a Top Rated Novel on Amazon and as a Bestseller in Italian Historical Fiction. It was selected as the Winner of the 2022 American Fiction Award in Historical Fiction. It was also named as a Finalist in the 2022 International Book Awards in the Historical Fiction Category and Best Fiction Cover Design.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.