Samantha Picaro is the author of Limitless Roads Cafe and Bryn Caputo's Recipe for Confidence. Her autistic and aroace identities inform her writing, where the heroines are determined, and comedy is balanced with drama. When not writing or working, you can find her trying new coffee flavors, reading (of course), and volunteering.
What got you into writing your own stories?
I like creating stories, especially stories I don’t see a lot of. Books gave me comfort and company as a child and even now they do that, so I'd like to think I can do the same for others.
What genre do you write?
YA Contemporary
Tell us about your WIP.
Bryn Caputo dreams of being a graphic designer. The problem? She is not confident enough in her abilities to tell her parents or friends despite wanting to major in it after graduation. She seeks honest feedback by using her skills to help her peers as well as her aunt’s bakery, which specializes in Setback Cakes. Setback Cakes encourage accepting setbacks and not giving up, further motivating Bryn to chase her dreams.
How do you get into the flow for writing? Do you have any rituals?
I need either complete silence or music. I have tea or coffee nearby.
What is your personally most significant achievement as a writer, and why?
My first GoodReads review. To me, the first review, even if it's negative, shows that people are reading your book and it gives your book more legitimacy in the eyes of the public.
What are you most grateful for as a writer?
I'm most grateful for my ARC readers. Their comments and constructive feedback really help me as a writer.
Do you have a day job? What is it?
I am about to become a part-time outreach librarian.
Has a real-life experience informed your writing? Share the scene it inspired.
Multiple scenes and characters themselves were inspired by my experiences as an autistic, aroace woman living in New Jersey. My use of amateur graphic design for my jobs and book marketing influenced my main character's desire to become a graphic designer in Recipe for Confidence. Helping prepare for events for my job and volunteering influenced the dreams of my main character in Limitless Cafe.
Do you read the same genre you write? Why, or why not?
Yes, I do. Reading the genre you write in can help your writing and self-editing.
Do you read fellow indie authors' works? Why or why not?
I sure do! In fact, I've been an ARC reader for some people. It's important for authors to support authors, especially among self-published authors.
Give us three fun facts about yourself.
I'm currently going back to school to become a librarian
I have a pet parrot
One dessert I make really well is Bundt cake.
Do you have any hobbies?
Video games (especially Nintendo games), reading (of course), watching TV for multiple genres of TV shows, puzzles, and going for walks
Find out more about Samantha Picaro here.
Featured Book: Recipe for Confidence
Why would you like to feature this book?
It's my upcoming release. The book comes out on May 17, 2024.
What was the spark that started this book?
There have been many times, unfortunately, I’ve felt like a quote un-quote “failure” and I’ve always felt behind my peers. I’m trying not to compare myself to others and to define success for myself, and. I want readers to come to the same realization.
What's the message you worked into this book?
That setbacks are part of life and that the opinion that matters most is your opinion of yourself
You’re allowed to have complex feelings. You’re allowed to have negative emotions about a situation while trying to come back from it. Allowing your feelings to exist is not the same as giving up. Hiding your feelings is a setback in itself.
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