� Art� He Just Keeps Getting Better and Better
Bergen Author Pens His 14th Book W
By Stefanie Sears
hen author Louis Romano was 18 years old growing up in the Bronx, N.Y. during the Vietnam War, he wrote urban poetry, which he defines as free verse. These are some of his beloved original pieces. Years later, at 58 years old and while living in Bergen County, he started writing fiction, and this is now his main focus. He aims to write a book a year. At 69 years old, he launched his 13th and 14th books, which he publishes through his publishing company, Vecchia Publishing Company. His book of short stories, “Before I Drop Dead (Some Things I Want To Tell You),” and “The Butcher of Punta Cana,” a continuation of his Gino Ranno mob series that originated with his debut novel “Fish Farm,” were both released on Aug. 15, 2020. [Editor’s Note: “Fish Farm” involves a clash between the Colombian drug lords and the Sicilian mafia. Lucho Gonzales, a drug dealer from Colombia with a penchant for sex and murder, has no friends – only the wild companionship of a few psychotic men who dare to do his dirty work, and a family too afraid of his temper to do anything else. When Gino and his onagain, off-again girlfriend Lisa cross paths with Lucho, they unwittingly upset the balance of crime. The result: kidnapping, rape and murder. The Colombians may be dangerous, but when it comes to family, the New York mob draws a line in the sand. Winner takes all.] “I think as you mature you should get better. It’s like anything else you do. I think if you look at my first book and my last book, the style of writing gets better,” said Romano. “I got more into showing and telling. If you want to tell, write a textbook. If you want to show, write fiction or nonfiction. It’s an exercise I’m now pretty used to.” Now “Besa,” the sequel to “Fish Farm,” will be getting a film adaptation.
Above: Louis Romano
Romano has other works in his repertoire. He created his crime novel series “Intercession” in 2012. It follows the adventures of recurring characters Detective Vic Gonnella and Raquel Ruiz. Also, to offset the severity of the mob and crime genres, Romano wrote the young adult novel “Zip Code.” Prior to being a writer full-time, he was a salesman in the energy oil business and currently runs Hopewell Senior Care along with his son. He considers writing a way of reinventing himself and adding some creative flair to his I do not miss a day of writing. life. However, he doesn’t regret not being a professional writer I don’t believe from the beginning. that there is a “It was the right time for me thing called to start. I couldn’t do my job writer’s block – and concentrate on writing at to me, that the same time. I just couldn’t doesn’t exist. do it,” said Romano. “I always wanted to write a book about something. I always wanted to create something. I always thought in thoseterms. I had a creative mind in a non-creative world. (Continues on page 24)
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