Meet Patricia Siciliano | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia Siciliano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I consider risk taking a challenge. I push myself to make my dreams come true. I had two big dreams in my life, one was to go to university to obtain a degree, and the other was to become an author.
The challenge for me was that while working full-time, being a mother of three children, I wanted to go back to school. The risk I was taking was that there was the possibility that I was not going to be able to focus on my work, my household, or my studies. The challenge was huge, but I was devoted and took it day by day and concentrated on completing my goal to proof to myself that I was able to obtain a degree to fulfill my personal dream.
Becoming an author was my next challenge. I started writing short stories when I was very young. My short stories were published in the Sunday Editorial newspaper, but my real dream was to have a book published. My first book was published ten years ago, when I entered a writing contest. I received the news that I did not win the contest, but they were willing to publish my novel. Entering the contest was a big risk, and even if I did not win the contest, I felt that I was winning already because my novel was going to be published.
Then I learned the next challenge, which was going to be creating my authenticity as an author. I needed to create some type of identity to be able to let the readers know about my fiction books. I am a self-published author who has the challenge to do my own marketing, my own logo, my own website, etc. I learned to take the risk of opening my book chapter to an unknown audience.
I am so glad I took the risk because it has been rewarding and has played a very important part of my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a self-published author. I have written five fiction books in Spanish and have translated in English two of them: Promesa, Panda, De qué lado está la frontera? Corazón de Madre and Mi Ángel – A Mother’s Heart and My Angel.
I do my own marketing by posting the events I attend to sell my books. I attend Festivals of Books to sell my books. The Festivals of Books are a good source of sales where I have the opportunity to meet my readers. I encourage the readers to write and/or send me a note regarding the book. I am very proud when I hear a positive comment from a reader regarding my books, it is very rewarding to learn that they love the story. I also post my books by creating reels and videos advertising my books in all the social media platforms.
How did I get to where I am today professionally? It has taken me years of learning the best way to publish, edit, advertise, and reach an audience. It has not been easy because this modern way of being a self-published author attracts individuals who are willing to work with me as a professional editorial and/or publicist for my books for a fee. Therefore, I need to make sure to stay away from those who offer unprofessional services. It is a way to overcome some of the challenges I have as a self-publish author.
My brand is BellasNovelas.com. My books are fiction novels, each one of them has a distinctive story and anyone can identify themselves with the characters I created. I gave life in each of my books to characters who overcome huge challenges and are guided by empathy, love, and faith. Each book has a different drama of our everyday life and the character has the ingenuity to learn to take the opportunities that appear in front of our eyes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Pasadena and South Pasadena. I believe the city of Pasadena is a beautiful cosmopolitan city that offers the best in everything. The city offers beautiful places to walk, such as Colorado Boulevard, it also offers plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. One can choose from Italian, Oriental, Mexican, India and/or American food, the city has a great variety of foods and spirits and nice places to hang out. Around the city one can also take a look at the beautiful residences with historical architecture. Pasadena is best known for the international Rose Parade and the house of important events such as the Rose Bowl.
I also will show my visitor my favorite spot in the city; the corner of Mission and Meridian where every Thursday one can visit the South Pasadena Farmers Market, right by the exit of the Metro line. The mentioned corner is where I found the inspiration for my book My Angel. The area is surrounded by restaurants, bars and wonderful people who welcome everyone who visits the beautiful city of South Pasadena.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My children and my husband deserve all the recognition. They have motivated me to succeed as an author, mom, and wife.

Website: https://Bellasnovelas.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-siciliano

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonitasiciliano1

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bellasnovelas