Q & A with author Chris Baron and Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications

SJF: In a nutshell, tell us about your book or written piece.
CB: All of Me is a middle grade novel in verse coming in June from Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends. Set in San Francisco, it is the story of Ari Rosensweig, an overweight seventh-grade boy who loves cryptozoology and role-playing games. Ari is tired of being bullied and letting his weight define him. His parents’ marriage is struggling. They are too busy to focus on his life, much less help him with his already late bar mitzvah, and things take a turn for the worse. Ari’s mother, a painter and sculptor, decides to open an old gallery at the beach that summer. She puts him on a diet, and with the help of some unexpected friends, he tries to make a change physically, but that’s only the beginning of their adventures and the real change that comes.

SJF: What has your experience been as a writer in San Diego?
CB: I love San Diego, and I am a believer in the power of a strong writing community! I feel fortunate to have been able to be a part of the writing community here in San Diego — I have always tried to be involved since I got my MFA in poetry at San Diego State. I’ve worked with Border Voices, San Diego Writers, Ink, and so many other organizations and programs, including all we do at San Diego City College where I work as an English professor. It’s exciting to see new writing communities like So Say We All, and SCBWI doing some incredible work in San Diego to grow the community of writers and bring notoriety to San Diego.

SJF: How has storytelling influenced your life?
CB: Storytelling saved my life. Stories have certainly been an escape, but stories have truly been mirrors and windows for me all my life — things were not always easy growing up — so reading science fiction and fantasy, poetry, and stories about kids trying to make their way in the world have been instrumental in understanding how to survive and even thrive in this world. It’s easy to turn cold and cruel, but storytelling teaches us, has taught me the essential values of kindness and daring.

SJF: If you had a magic wand, what kind of opportunities would be available to writers in San Diego?
CB: I feel like I already waved my wand and it is happening. This festival represents so much hard work of the organizers and feels like a culmination of what so many have hoped and worked for over years and years.

SJF: What are you excited about when it comes to participating in the inaugural San Diego Writers Festival?
CB: I am thankful to be a part of things, to have a chance to share about the process of getting published in the mainstream if someone is interested in that, to see so many incredible sessions, and to meet amazing people. I am also excited about all of the kids programming. That’s something that we really need!

SJF: What advice would you give to a new writer in San Diego?
CB: Get plugged in. Take creative writing courses at one of the many community colleges. Most of them have excellent, dynamic, creative writing programs. Go to San Diego Writers, Ink and take a class. Just get involved in some aspect of community.

SJF: Many thanks, Chris!

Learn More about Chris Baron
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Learn More about Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications