NEWS

When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left

An impactful story for all ages

By EMMA BARTLETT
Posted 2/21/23

When Marc Colagiovanni decided to write a children’s book, he could be found reading on the floor of Barnes and Noble. A lawyer by profession, Colagiovanni would visit the store after court and …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
NEWS

When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left

An impactful story for all ages

Posted

When Marc Colagiovanni decided to write a children’s book, he could be found reading on the floor of Barnes and Noble. A lawyer by profession, Colagiovanni would visit the store after court and sit for hours reading as many books as possible to figure out what the publishing market was looking for.

The 49-year-old lifelong Cranstonian recently landed a deal with Scholastic – the world’s largest publisher/distributor of children's books – and will release his first story “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left” on March 7. “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left” focuses on a boy who has worries, fears, doubts and frustrations, and carries them with him in the form of a backpack, suitcase and box. As the story progresses, the boy puts them down and clears his mind so he can accomplish a goal he’s been trying to achieve. The 32-page book is intended for those ages four to eight – though Colagiovanni said the story can easily apply to those ages four to 88 since the message has a positive effect on children and adults alike. In addition to being released in America, the book will also be sold in China, Korea, Japan, Turkey, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Colagiovanni’s passion for writing dates back to elementary school, but he didn’t pursue his dream of making a book until his first daughter was born. He became part of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) – a global community of writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, librarians, advocates and other industry professionals working to establish a more imaginative and inclusive world through the power of children’s literature. From 2010 to 2016 he wasn’t getting anywhere but, through SCBWI, learned to reinvent the way he wrote.

“The first story I wrote was 2,500 words – which is 2,000 too many for a picture book,” said Colagiovanni.

Before developing “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left,” Colagiovanni sent manuscripts of his other works to publishers but was rejected by everyone. In attempts to attract a publisher or agent, he decided to animate his story “The Reflection in Me.” This story is about a character that looks in the mirror and is not happy with what she sees. As she walks away frustrated, her image comes to life and starts complimenting her. As the story progresses, the character becomes more and more sure about herself.

Colagiovanni connected with illustrator and Dedham, MA, resident Peter Reynolds and the two worked on “The Reflection in Me” animation which received 1.5 million views. Since the piece got so much attention, Reynolds’ agent – who’s now Colagiovanni’s agent – took notice and contacted Scholastic. “The Reflection in Me” was supposed to come out last spring, but when the company heard of “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left,” they wanted to release that book first. 

Colagiovanni said he “dreams stories” and the idea for “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left” came to him in the middle of the night. He wrote about 80 percent of the story from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. – though the story’s ending took him a week to figure out. After the story’s complete, he’ll run it by family and friends.

Colagiovanni is now reading his new book to elementary students in Cranston Public Schools and has been to Orchard Farms Elementary and Woodridge Elementary. He really enjoys talking to the kids.

“Their question and answer period is my favorite part of the whole thing,” Colagiovanni said.

He said their questions are all over the map in the greatest of ways. They want to know where his story ideas come from, what his writing process is like and some even ask about his job as a lawyer.

“They have such great insightful questions,” Colagiovanni said.

This isn’t the first time that Colagiovanni has spoken in front of elementary students. Back in 2017, when “The Reflection in Me” came out, Orchard Farms Elementary School teacher Tina Iacobucci invited him to come to her class. He presented the video and read one of Reynolds’ books to students – which snowballed to him speaking at other local schools. Now, he’s able to go into the classrooms with his own story to read.

Colagiovanni hopes “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left” affects people and initiates conversations. He said initiating conversation is especially important with children because a parent/mentor’s job is to constantly take a mental inventory of children's lives to make sure they’re okay.

“If we can start those conversations now when they’re little, then they’ll always be open to talking to us throughout their entire life. And the older they get, the bigger and more important their problems become,” Colagiovanni said.

With “The Reflection in Me” coming out next spring, Colagiovanni currently has four or five manuscripts written that he’s holding back on.

Colagiovanni is a lifelong Cranston resident growing up on the Western side of the city. He attended Woodridge Elementary School, Western Hills Middle School and graduated from Cranston West in 1991. He attended the University of Vermont and obtained an undergraduate degree in English followed by Roger Williams University Law School for his law degree.

He now works in Warwick. He and his wife, Lauren, have three daughters – Addison, age 12, and 10-year-old twins Ella and Mia. His daughters are the first set of editing eyes on his written work.

“When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left” will be available nationwide on March 7. Individuals can pre-order a copy online at thedotcentral.com/peterhreynolds/pre-order-when-things-arent-going-right-go-left-by-marc-colagiovanni-illustrated-by-peter-h-reynolds.

Colagiovanni will also hold a book tour. At 10 a.m. on March 4 he will be at the Blue Bunny Bookstore in Dedham, MA. This is a ticketed event that can be purchased by calling the Blue Bunny or going on the bookstore's website. On March 7, Colagiovanni will be at Barrington Bookstore in Barrington (time to be determined) and at 6:30 p.m. on March 14 he will be at an Unlikely Story Bookstore in Plainville, MA. For more information, visit marccolagiovanni.com.

book, author

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here