Every author's journey is different. For John Infortunio, writing his first novel took 15 years.

In this episode of The Story Cure, I talk with John, an author and educator, about how he became a writer, the experiences behind his novels, and what it takes to keep going when the publishing journey gets difficult.

John shares how his parents and teachers encouraged his love of reading and writing, how his mother helped him see the potential in an early short story, and how that story eventually became Destroyed by the Events of the Day.

We also discuss his more recent novel, Today Was Tomorrow, which explores memory, identity, family, and Alzheimer's. John talks about drawing on personal experiences to explore complicated emotions and the ways ordinary people respond when life takes an unexpected turn.

We get into the practical realities of being an author, too: self-publishing, retaining creative control, approaching publishers and literary agents, dealing with rejection, and navigating the growing role of AI in writing.

If you're working on a book or trying to find your way through the publishing process, this conversation is a reminder that your journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

In this episode:

• How John's love of writing began
• Why his first novel took 15 years
• The personal themes behind Today Was Tomorrow
• Facing the fear of putting your work into the world
• Self-publishing and creative freedom
• Rejection, persistence, and finding the right publishing opportunity
• John's perspective on AI and the future of writing

Listen to the full conversation and join us on The Story Cure as we explore what it really means to be an author.