Welcome to The Bricklayer's Daughter

Because stories might save us.

Greetings and welcome to “The Bricklayer’s Daughter.” You’re getting this letter because you’re a friend or family member, work colleague, writer, reader, or someone who’s attended a book talk for my debut novel The Italian Prisoner. It’s completely free and I plan to keep it that way. But if you don’t want to get another email, just click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of this message and you’re off the list. No hard feelings.

Here’s what to expect if you stay: semi-regular short letters, mostly about writing, reading, and literary citizenship. I’ll also share progress reports about my second novel (in progress), fascinating and nerdy historical backstory tidbits, and whatever else I think might interest readers. I’ll continue to post on Facebook and Instagram, but many people are not on any social platforms (for good reasons). On Substack, I can talk to you directly, you can interact with me and each other if you want to, and you can find other writers you might want to follow—all without supporting the Broligarchy. You can find out more about it on the website or the app. Please let me know if you have ideas—I take requests.

I want to take a moment here to acknowledge the horrific recent events in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and around the world. I'm sure your head and heart hurt as much as mine. I delayed launching this Substack, thinking I’d let things simmer down so we could all catch our breath. Then I realized we’ll likely be holding our breath for the foreseeable future. We need art, music, and literature now more than ever to stay in touch with our common humanity. In the words of Billy Pilgrim: so it goes.

Oh, why “The Bricklayer’s Daughter?” Thanks for asking. I may wax eloquent later about foundations, walls, and houses, but the simplest answer is because my father, was a bricklayer, as was his father. They were old-school Italian men who made things with their hands and built them to last. The title is a metaphor for my life, values, and the art and craft of writing and sharing stories. You writers know about Anne Lamott’s cherished advice book Bird by Bird. My version is brick by brick.

Andiamo!

Elisa

P.S. Here’s a photo of my late father Fred in his happy place.