Meet Diana Giovinazzo | Author and Podcaster

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

Hi Diana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Even though I was born in Central New York, California was always the place where I wanted to be. My father lived in Southern California and I would spend my summer vacations with him, it was as much my home as New York was. Once I turned eighteen I was on a plane to LAX and haven’t looked back.

Being raised in an Italian American household gave me a strong sense of family. Whether it is the family you are born with or the family you create, they are important and have shaped a lot of who I am and what I write. The historical fiction that I enjoy writing is about Italian culture and history, though I do hope to be able to publish a book about Italians in California someday.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I always wanted to be a writer but as I got older, a career in literature didn’t feel attainable. After spinning my wheels for a bit and landing face first into the recession in 2008, I decided it was time to find a new career. I received my paralegal certificate and worked in that field for ten years, along with serving on the board with the Oranga County Paralegal Association.

It wasn’t easy to balance work and drafting my first book, The Woman in Red. I wrote a lot in the evenings and on the weekends. Lunch breaks were writing sprints. Every chance I had I invested in myself, making time for my art even if people just assumed it was a “hobby.”

Podcasting was much easier. One of my best friends, Michele, called me up and said “Hey, were’re doing a podcast. It’s going to be called Wine, Women and Words.”

When I told her I had no idea how to do a podcast she said, “Neither do I, this is going to be great.” We eventually found our groove and have a lot fun interviewing fellow authors.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, for starters, you have to visit Bel Canto Books in Long Beach. Grab a glass of wine and a book and sit in the outdoor garden surrounded by lands. If you are in the Pasadena area, you can have tea at The Tea Rose Garden followed by a shopping spree at Vroman’s Bookstore. (It’s always a fun after afternoon for my friends and I)

I am are very happy to call Whittier home and love taking strolling down Greenleaf in the morning to have brunch at the Rusty Monk (bonus points if you are there on a Friday for the farmer’s market). My husband and I are fans of Tiki Bars and whenever we get an opportunity, we will visit Tiki Ti (LA), Tonga Hut (Hollywood), or Strong Water (Anaheim) for a fun night out.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Ryan. We have a great partnership, whether I am in the midst of a deadline or on a creative binge he has always been there to support me.

Website: www.dianagiovinazzo.com

Instagram: @dianagauthor

Twitter: Dianagauthor

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

Other: You can find my podcast, Wine, Women and Words here: https://wineandwords.libsyn.com