Author Antonio D. Sommerio

I’m writing this blog for the numerous requests I have received as of late from both friends and fans. I’m often asked the same question more or less just in different variations. “How do you come up with what you write?” While a very simple question that I’d love to smirk and reply “It just comes naturally to me,” it tends to be a bit more complicated than that. In order for me to create, certain  conditions  must be met and catered or else I just find myself staring at my monitor. First and most important is my setting. Ambience plays a major theme in whether or not I and able to “transcend” over into the world I’m writing in. Confused yet? Allow me to elaborate further. Dim lighting and close quarters are best at starting the process. Large open areas I find overbearing and uncomfortable to write in, but stick me in a closet or small bedroom with the door shut and I’m golden. Next is sound.  I CAN NOT WRITE IN NOISY BOISTEROUS SETTINGS!  I find it nearly impo...

If this offends you then it very well may be YOU. Too many times I hear “I’m unhappy with everyone and everything around me.” The key words here are “ I’m unhappy .” Far too many times we want to find fault and blame in those we love and others, when we are unhappy with ourselves. You cannot and  will not  be happy with anyone else if you are unhappy in general. We have to detach ourselves as a people from thinking “It’s not me its everyone else.” Mental health is huge for everyone and it doesn’t matter your ethnicity, moral standing or financial status. Depression is real, PTSD is real, anxiety is real. But what makes it a danger is when you fail to see it happening to YOU and refuse to get help. The narcissism kicks in and everything is everyone else’s defunct and you’re perfect. This leads to brash and poor decision making because you believe you can “fix” your unhappiness but directly dealing with others instead of self. As for heads of household, friends, spouses...

We are just days away from the one year anniversary release date of my debut novel Borrowed Time. For me, this sends a surge of emotions through my body. I waited 9 long years to publish a story I wrote and absolutely adore. I had a ball with learning the ins and outs of self publishing (and now still learning proper marketing techniques). I launched the SommerioBooks.com website to host not just my work, but all authors with the Sommerio surname (maiden included). I've donated paperback copies to local library's all across the Chicagoland area. I spoke at two schools regarding publishing, dream pursuing and the importance of literacy. I had a successful book signing, although my tour was canceled shortly after (more on that in a moment), where the support was nothing less than remarkable. I even dipped into philanthropy and launched a campaign for education giving 100% proceeds of my novel to selected schools in Chicago. But this is just the beginning. You may have heard me...

Let’s get Personal for a moment. So, I got an email yesterday for yet another RC. Now first I would like to say that the last two months have been absolutely heartbreaking for me. But by the grace of family, friends and blessings—I have been able to stay afloat. I know—we all go through it right? Life sees you doing something you love/positive and places a bulk order for “monkey wrenches” to toss at you. However, this Royalty Check, while small and humbling in nature (no, I’ m not big time just yet lol) was a huge reminder and eye opener for me. To put it simple, people are buying Borrowed Time. But not just buying it. Buying it, reading it and referring it to others. They are enjoying Jacob’s story and I couldn’t ask for more. I would like to give thanks again to you all. I know a lot of the referrals may actually come from the very people, part of this page. I’ve always said I didn’t care about making a ton of money selling my stories. That still stands today, it’s secondary ...

About the Author: Fun facts #9 A question from a reader. "What if anything inspired the writing of Borrowed Time?" The inspiration of Borrowed Time derived from two things, my lifelong fascination with the concept of time and my own natural want and need to help others. I’m not sure if it was the way I was raised or my own deep seeded “hero complex” but I cannot bear to see others suffer or struggle. I also often find it difficult to turn down a request for assistance in any way or look the other way when I see injustice. But I’m sure there are many more like myself (and Jacob) who have the same issue. The fools that believe the small things can actually make a difference in this world. The few that believe that if they set an example, others will follow creating a balanced and better place for not only ourselves but our children to exist in. On my evening commute one day I walked to the city transit station, ascended the stairs in a scurry to catch my train. I stopped w...

About the Author: Fun facts #8 Be careful what you ask for! Hello again, readers and friends. So this ATA FF is again geared toward individuals that have read (or are reading) Borrowed Time. The number 1 question I have been getting about the book is simply— "When is the next one coming out?"  Well, yeah about that. You see Borrowed Time was never meant to have a sequel, be a series or even have a second book. I totally thought it would be awesome to completely rewrite the ending of the book and leave people wanting more—to get a reaction. Well, I did. Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for ask for, cause you just might get it! I've been dissecting the book lately, targeting details and looking for a doorway. You see anything is possible through the creative process. But if I were to try to continue Jacob's story it would have to make sense. It would have to capture the feel from the original and advance our protagonist. This means since I didn...

About the Author: Fun facts #7 Borrowed Time's infamous Chapter 17 Today's ATAFF is more of a nod to those who have finished the book. If I had a dollar for every time I removed and added chapter 17 from the book...well I could definitely buy lunch downtown. This chapter was so taboo to me and completely removed me from my comfort zone. Was it a bit too much, was it appealing to some while others snickered at my attempt here? Only my readers can say.  But I felt this is one of the times the characters advanced the story on their own. My job was pretty much to act as "host or vessel" and let them use me to tell their story. It does however advance the chemistry between two characters and since the events happen in the book lightening fast—it meshes with the ending. Please don't skip to chapter 17 if you haven't made it there in the book just yet. But I guess the moral here is to allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of telling ...