It’s the middle of February here in North America, and my guest today, S. Atzeni, is going to mix it up and bring us a taste of summer. Welcome to the blog!

A few of your favorite summer traditions: My favorite summer tradition is summer reading. I look forward to it every year by building my reading list and carving out time in my schedule. Since I was a kid, we’ve always gone to the library to get our summer reading books, so I like to keep that tradition alive and visit my local library for each book.

Something summer-related that you’ll never do again: I hate the beach (I know - an unpopular opinion!). I like the boardwalk and the arcade - I just don’t see a point in sitting on the beach or swimming in the ocean. It’s pretty to look at, but not something I seek out during the summer months.

Favorite summer beverage: An iced cappuccino - it’s refreshing and I love the cold foam on top!

A drink that gives you a pickle face: Anything too sugary! It doesn’t help in the Jersey heat.

Your favorite thing to get from the ice cream truck: Vanilla and chocolate ice cream in a dixie cup. Bonus points if there’s a wooden spoon included.

Some dessert that you wish you’d never bought: I used to get those ice cream pops that looked like cartoon characters - when I was a kid, I would always get the Ninja Turtle. They didn’t taste particularly good, but who wouldn’t want ice cream in the shape of a Ninja Turtle?

Best summer vacation ever: We went to Europe one summer and it was fun traveling across the continent. Plus you learn so many new things about yourself when you travel. One thing I learned is how bad my Polish is (I’m still learning!)

Somewhere where you don’t ever want to return: On that tiny plane that took us from England to Poland - I could feel my teeth rattle the entire time we were in the air!

Most favorite place to write/edit in the summer: I have a spot in my local library that I’ve been using for years. Nothing is more satisfying than being in an air-conditioned library writing away when it’s really hot outside. Plus it’s so quiet that I get a lot of work done.

The worst place to try to write in the summer because of all the distractions: My house because the air conditioners in the windows create a buzz that’s really distracting. Plus my cats like to jump all over my laptop - in any season - and it’s hard to get work done.

Favorite thing to do on a summer evening: Sit outside and enjoy the summer evening. It’s so quiet at night, but also not with the crickets chirping and people outside. There’s a balance to the noise that I find really peaceful.

Least favorite thing about summer: The days that are so hot, you feel like you’re going to melt, Wicked Witch of the West-style. New Jersey summers can be really humid, which ruins the fun part of the summer weather.

Favorite place to visit in Virginia: The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria. Also, I LOVE Old Town Books on Royal Street!

Somewhere you’ve visited way too much. Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt: No where! I love going back to old places - you can always find something new!

The thing you like most about being a writer: My absolute favorite part is holding your book when it’s all complete. Nothing about the process is very easy, but the finish line is always nice. All the hard work is worth it.

The thing you like least about being a writer: The hardest part is finding the time to write. There’s so much that fills the day and I can never find that “sweet spot” amount of time to write when I need to. It takes a lot of planning.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life: I hope what I remember most are all of the different stories that I am privileged to write and the authors I’m privileged to work with as an editor. As an author-publisher, you get to have all of these great experiences and work with an extraordinary community. It’s a joy that I carry with me every day.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over: I try not to have any regrets, but one would be that I should have started sooner sharing my work. For many years, I was embarrassed or felt like I wasn’t ready to call myself a writer. Imposter syndrome is real - but I wish I ignored it and started sooner.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Once upon a time, I braved Nitro at Six Flags. I went on it twice. It was terrifying, but it makes a good fun fact.

Something you chickened out from doing: Going on a rollercoaster after the age of 35. Now it’s terrifying in a different way!

The funniest thing to happen to you: I broke my ankle once at a BBQ while trying to sing like Shania Twain.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: I broke my ankle once at a BBQ while trying to sing like Shania Twain. I feel like there’s a story here.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: “Your book made me laugh” - that is the greatest compliment and it makes me feel as though I’m doing something right.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “It’s interesting that your play is a metaphor for God” - to this day, I have no idea where they got that out of a play about a diner, but thanks to that person for thinking I’m smart enough to pull that off.

About S. Atzeni:

S. Atzeni (she/they) is a multi-genre, award-winning writer of prose, comics, and academic scholarship. They are the co-author of The MOTHER Principle graphic novel series and The Legend of Dave Bradley and the upcoming W(h)ine and Cheese in the One 'n Done series. S. Atzeni holds a B.A. in Professional Writing and Journalism and a Master of Arts in English from The College of New Jersey.

When not being an adjunct professor and academic of ethnography, sequential art studies, and trauma theory, S. Atzeni is the co-founder of Read Furiously Publishing, its editorial director and its head of acquisitions. Through Read Furiously, S. Atzeni is proud to publish great books, be a part of an amazing independent literary community, and participate in literary activism.