The Story Behind AJ and the Incredible Fish by Paolo Mazzucato

 


 
 



The Story Behind AJ and the Incredible Fish
By Paolo Mazzucato

Inspiration for writing a story comes from many places, and sometimes you don’t even realize from where. My original sense of adventure, I believe, stemmed from travel with my family as a kid: family vacations, camping through New England or across the US into the West, trips to visit family in Italy and journeys into France and Greece with my uncle. The sense of exploration and discovery of new places fed my imagination, and later when I discovered fantasy in literature and movies… Gulliver’s Travels, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins… I began creating my own stories. I wrote shorts and stage plays, screenplays and eventually children’s books and novels to simply express an idea or maybe even build an entire world around a journey or theme. 

AJ and the Incredible Fish is certainly a tale of fantasy and adventure, but it’s also a story of connection between a young boy and his Grandpa, a voyage that takes AJ from doubt and uncertainty to wonder and belief. So while the crazy journey makes for a fun narrative, it’s the characters and the way they interact and learn new things about themselves and about each other that holds the heart of the story. The novel is told in first person from AJ’s point of view, so everything and everyone he encounters during his journey is seen and described though his eleven-year-old eyes. His peculiar, young friend Livvy, who is also along for the ride, shares her bold and perhaps more willing-to-take-a-chance perspective as well, and their voice, together, makes the story more personal and whimsical for readers, young and old, because the language and youthful wonder is unmistakable. 

AJ begins his journey, unwilling to trust adults and the stories they tell. He’s been disappointed by broken promises in the past, and has given up on dreams and unbelievable goals. So when he has to spend the weekend with his Grandpa who will undoubtedly spin some ridiculously incredible fish tale, AJ is not at all on board. But Grandpa senses that his grandson is at a crossroad, somewhere between the ordinary and extraordinary, and so he casts off, heading into the unknown to begin the quest to catch Old Gussie, an elusive dream of a fish. And that’s life for all of us, really——having to choose between what’s real or safe and what is a little incredible. And what AJ (and readers) may come to understand is that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can do in life is never leave the shore.

 

 

 
 
 

Title: AJ and the Incredible Fish

Author: Paolo Mazzucato

Publication Date: September 10, 2024

Pages: 316

Genre: Fantasy Adventure (Tweens 9-14)

Could a fish hold the key to belief?

AJ and the Incredible Fishby Paolo Mazzucato is a captivating fantasy adventure that’s perfect for tweens aged 9-14, especially boys who love a blend of excitement and deeper meaning.

This story takes young readers on an unforgettable journey that blends the wonders of fantasy with the realities of growing up.
Eleven-year-old AJ is a relatable character who starts off skeptical of fairy tales and grand adventures, but when his Grandpa unexpectedly sets sail on a quest to find a legendary fish, AJ finds himself pulled into a world where anything is possible.

Alongside an eccentric girl named Livvy, AJ faces perilous challenges, encounters extraordinary characters, and discovers that the true adventure lies in believing in the impossible.

This book is more than just an adventure; it's a story about trust, courage, and the power of belief. It encourages young readers to embrace their imagination, face their fears, and understand that sometimes, the greatest treasures in life are the dreams we dare to chase.

Ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians seeking a fantasy fiction adventure that inspires and entertains.

Don’t miss out—let AJ’s journey spark imaginations!

AJ AND THE INCREDIBLE FISH is available in hardcover for $24.95 and in Paperback for $18.95. It can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BepiBooks.com and other online book sellers. (and at the Orange County Children’s Book Festival, Sept. 22, 2024 https://www.kidsbookfestival.com/

BepiBooks: https://bepibooks.com/aj.html

Publication date: September 10, 2024; Publisher: Bepi Books 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paolo-Mazzucato/author/B07PHNMF53

Amazon Hard Cover Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737989840?

AJ and the Incredible Fish — Hard Cover: 978-1-7379898-4-4; 316 pages, 24.95

AJ and the Incredible Fish — Paperback: 978-1-7379898-5-1, 316 pages, 18.95

Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/AJ-Incredible-Fish-Paolo-Mazzucato/dp/1737989859

 


 

Paolo Mazzucato is an American fiction author and screenwriter. He began his writing career as a Chicago playwright and award-winning student filmmaker before moving to Los Angeles where he won awards for screenwriting and scripted various projects for film and television. He is also the author of several children’s books including: “No One Mocks a Panda” (an Amazon #1 Best Seller, Feb. 2019), and “The Absolutely True Story of La Befana” (an Amazon Holiday Top 100 title). He is also the author of the fantasy/adventure novel, “The Gondoliers: The Secret Journals of Fanticulous Glim,” a “recommended” read by the US Review of Books.

Mazzucato’s new book will be launched on Sunday, September 22nd at the Orange County 
Children’s Book Festival
in Costa Mesa, California. 

Find out more about the author on his website:  www.writer.mazzucato.org and follow him on his social media (Facebook, X and Instagram).

 



 

 

 


The Story Behind Ring of Rosin by Nancy Golden

 



 




The Story Behind Ring of Rosin
By Nancy Golden

Ring of Rosin is the second book in the Dynamis Novels and continues the story of young King Rugal. It was the natural next book in my Dynamis series. In Book 1 we learn about the main character and his journey to become king of Elayas. We find out about the three symbols attached to the true ruler of Elayas: the Sword of Fate, the Ring of Rosin, and the Key of Power. The three books in the Dynamis trilogy each draw special significance from one of these symbols. I had a lot of fun with the characters and plot twists, and I think you will, too.

The first draft of the first book in the Dynamis Novels was written in 1986. Last year I took the draft from so long ago and worked it into what became the final manuscript of Sword of Fate. Interestingly, I had also written the first three chapters of Ring of Rosin back then. While it has evolved into a very different book from what I envisioned so long ago, the inspiration from those first three chapters is intact and drives the plot line. Once I started work on Ring of Rosin, it moved rapidly, and I completed the final version six months after I returned to those three chapters. Ring of Rosin officially launched on September 2, 2024.

I am a big fan of encouraging others to open their hearts and minds to people who are different from them, especially people from different cultures. We have so much to learn from each other and even though it can be uncomfortable, we are richer for doing so. We often find we have much more in common than we are different. That is definitely a theme that is explored in Ring of Rosin. My characters go through a myriad of challenges, but they learn and grow from them.

I decided to self-publish for numerous reasons. I love having the control of my content and book covers. I appreciate scheduling my own publication dates and it is much faster than if it was on a traditional publisher’s schedule. I must say it is a tremendous amount of work – I have hard-earned knowledge that allows me to do what needs to be done. It is also very expensive. I am very committed to representing myself and my books with integrity and to do the best job that I am able. This means I hire beta readers to read early versions and provide feedback. This means that I hire a professional editor and even after my final draft is edited, I go through it a final time before publishing. This means I hire a professional graphic artist that (with my input) designs the cover. All of these are very expensive and time-consuming, but they are worth it because the book that you, dear reader, will have in your hands, is the best possible version that I can produce.

To sum up why I write: I love having a positive impact on my readers. When my writing touches someone’s heart, or they find themselves immersed in the story as an entertaining haven away from the trials of this world, or the message in its pages provides someone with hope – it doesn’t matter how hard it gets (and being an author gets very hard)– it makes being an author worthwhile. Ring of Rosin was written with that in mind. My hope is that it is a “light in the darkness” that entertains you and brightens your day.

 
 
 

Title: Ring of Rosin

Author: Nancy Golden

Publication Date: September 2, 2024

Pages: 222

Genre: Fantasy

Many, many years ago, a wondrous bird flew into the mountains of Tolan. In its claws, it bore a giant stone, a stone of fire. The bird dropped the stone somewhere in the mountains, where it shattered. The one who finds its fragments shall have power beyond belief.

The Ring of Rosin has unexpectedly disappeared. Join King Rugal on his quest to recover the ring symbolizing his right to rule, forged from the stone of fire. A mysterious companion joins the young monarch on a perilous journey. Rugal’s shadowy ally leads him to the nomadic Kargoliths, who are locked in an ongoing dispute with the neighboring kingdom of Tolan. As destinies intertwine amidst the clashing cultures, the fates of Elayas, Tolan, and the Kargoliths hang in the balance.

Will the Ring of Rosin’s power on the Day of Questioning help Rugal defeat the foreign threat to Elayas, or will it be used to destroy him?

Follow King Rugal as he faces the greatest threat to his reign since his coronation. An exciting adventure of valor and unlikely friendships the whole family can enjoy!

Ring of Rosin is available at Amazon.



 

Nancy Golden wears a lot of different hats – She is a wife and mom, author, engineer, professor, horsewoman, and small business owner. She is also the founder of a writing group – the Carrollton League of Writers. Nancy lives in a suburb of Dallas, Texas and she loves to ride bicycles and horses. She is a member of the National Space Society, and she has been a Trekkie for as long as she can remember. Nancy Golden Books provides a great reader experience with well-crafted writing that will brighten your day.

Website nancygoldenbooks.com

Twitter https://www.twitter.com/ncgolden1  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564426002283 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ncgolden1 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216235312-ring-of-rosin 

 



 

 


 

The Story Behind Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir by Mike Martin

 



 






The Story Behind Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir
By Mike Martin

Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is a children’s Christmas book. But its message that love is always the answer goes far beyond the reach of children and Christmas. But I do love Christmas.

That’s the real inspiration behind this story. Christmas. That warm, fuzzy feeling that we Christmas lovers get around the magical season. And it’s more than nostalgia, although I do have pleasant memories of Christmases in my past. It’s about bringing that spirit into our everyday lives. Today and every day of the year.

Princess Sophie could be any of us. Missing that good feeling we once had but now have lost. Searching for answers outside of ourselves. And then discovering it was inside of us all along. The power of imagination and creation rolled into one by the power of love. And in believing in ourselves and each other.

 

 

 
 
 

Title: Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir

Author: Mike Martin

Publication Date: October 15, 2024

Pages: 24

Genre: Mezzo Publications

Princess Sophie and the Magic Elixir is the story of a young girl who loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic. At the end she finds that all we really need is to believe in the power of love.

Princess Sophie and the Magic Elixir is available at Amazon.


 

 

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 15 books in this light mystery series with the 2024 publication of Too Close for Comfort

He is also the author of 3 Chldren’s Christmas books. The Christmas Beaver, A Friend for Christmas and now Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir.

Let’s Connect!

X https://www.x.com/mike54martin 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552604938333