Author Interview: Bonnie Cuzzolino

Award winning author Bonnie Cuzzolino and her family live in New Jersey. Bonnie and her husband Ray are the parents to a beautiful daughter adopted from Hubei, China in November of 2001 at 12 months old. She and her husband are now waiting for a referral for their second daughter from China through Holt International Children's Services. Bonnie has had a lifelong passion to write children's books. This book is her first and is dedicated to her daughter, Jillian Mei.

Bonnie is a 48 year old stay at home mom who enjoys writing, reading, the arts, crafts and traveling.

Bonnie has been to China, England and various US states. She found both countries fascinating and plans more trips in the future. To see this beautiful world that God made is a privilege one should not take for granted.

Bonnie’s daughter is very talented in the arts. She enjoys acting, singing, drawing and playing the piano. Jillian has made an Indie movie, a commercial and has done photo shoots for children’s magazines. One day she might just win an Oscar. Who knows what the future holds for any of us. Bonnie believes that our dreams can come true if they are meant to be.

Author Interview: Bonnie Cuzzolino


It's rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a 'real' job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you've had in your life?

I am presently a stay at home mom however I worked many years in the corporate world as a receptionist/clerical worker.bI have also worked in retail. Writing has been a part time job for me.

What compelled you to write your first book?

The adoption of my daughter from China and the need to tell her story to her about her birth mother and why she could not keep her.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, I have always wanted to be a writer since childhood but did not make it a reality until midlife.

Tell us a little bit about your book/s. What are their titles; which is your favorite if you have more than one, and briefly let us know what they are about. Pay particular attention to your most recent book and/or your first book:

My first and only book to date is “Letter Of Love From China”, a children’s book about a Chinese birth mother who has to give up her daughter for adoption. She writes her daughter a letter to explain her love for her and the reasons surrounding her birth that lead to her relinguishment and her hopes that her daughter is adopted. She will never forget her and wants her daughter to have knowledge and respect for the country of her birth.

Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

Yes, this summer I will start a children’s book that my 7 year old daughter will illustrate and I will write called, “Forever Mom Forever Daughter”. A story of all the reasons an adoptive child and her forever mom love each other and what makes their relationship unique and special.

Have you ever won any writing awards? If so, what?

Yes, I have won the 2007 Power Of The Pen Award for Best Children’s book. The 2008 Silver Recipient of the Mom’s Choice Award for the Best Children’s Book in the Family Life category. A very prestigious award that I am very proud of. I will be at the La BEA Book Expo the end of May with my illustrator to promote the book and be interviewed.

How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands ?

Marvelous! I self published so this felt like the a dream come true.

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

None, I like quiet when I write.

What inspires you and motivates you to write the very most?

I am most inspired to write for children and animals because I am a born humanitarian for both. Those in need of extra love and care, the homeless and abandoned. The poor and helpless.

What one thing are you the most proud of in your life?

I am most proud that I am an adoptive Mom to a beautiful seven year old daughter from China. I am a loving Mom and my daughter is the love of my life!

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

I have two step daughters now grown and my daughter. My husband and I are in process of adopting our second daughter from China. Our siblings, parents and our extended family have been very supportive as well as our friends of my writing.

The main characters of your stories - do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

My book is about my daughter. She is the main character. My own feelings for her birth Mom in China come through loud and clear.

Who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

I like Sylvia Browne. I enjoy spiritual books and new age.

Hey, let's get morbid. When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?

That I was a talented award winning children’s book author and contributed to the education of children. Plain and simple. That I was a humanitarian, funny, caring, loving, spiritual and strong in times of suffering. A loving mom, wife, daughter and friend.

Location and life experience can sprinkle their influence in your writing. Tell us about where you grew up and a little about where you live now. If you could live anywhere you want to live, where would that be?

We live in the New Jersey suburbs about 30 minutes from New York City. We love to visit the city I was born and raised in New Jersey however someday I would love to live in a warm climate year round. Southern California would be wonderful!

Do you have any pets? What are they? Tell us about them.

Yes, we have two cats Gabriel and Gizmo. Gabriel is ten and a tabby. Gizmo is a two year old kitten an all black Siamese/short haired mix, full of life and gets into lots of trouble. Both are adorable and loveable boys. I have had many pets in life including dogs and various wildlife that I have rescued. I adore animals of all kinds. They have given me great happiness in life.

Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

When I get time to watch TV it is usually Fox News or CNN. Of course the harsh realities of today’s world influence one’s writing.

What about movies? Same as above.

I love Tilda Swinton, George Clooney and Johnny Depp. Any move they have made I have seen. My daughter does a little acting. She loves it and had a small part in a movie with Oscar winning actress Tilda Swinton.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

My book took only a month to write because it is written in simple text for Children ages 4-9. The illustrations took two years for my illustrator to complete because she was in college while working on this project. I expected the project to take this long.

Is there anyone you'd like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

My daughter, Jillian Mei and her unknown birth mother in China .All the orphaned children of the world have inspired me.

Now, use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know?
I invite all readers to visit my website which at this time is the only place my book is available. There is alot of info on my site about myself , my illustrator, Jax Bennett, my book, my daughter, a lovely poem about Adoptive Moms, author visits, music and a Chinese jewelry Gift shop.

My book is for all children to learn about adoption.

Plum Blossom Books
http://www.plumblossombooks.com

To learn about my Mom’s Choice Award, please visit http://www.momschoiceawards.com
Click on Learn, Testimonials and 2008 Winners.

Thank you.