SRU senior Ethan Vasconi studies English literature and modern languages while also making time for another passion: writing.
Vasconi wrote and published a book in August, and it’s available to check out at the Bailey Library.
“The Girl Who Died Twice” follows a college student who attends a Halloween party with a group of friends. At the party, he has a “startling realization” that an individual at the party will die before the night ends, and he must discover the truth before it’s too late.
Vasconi said the novel took a year and a half to write and publish.
“I would have stretches of weeks where, in my free time, I would do nothing but focus on the novel,” he said. “Then I would give it some time to sit, then return to it.”
Balancing schoolwork and writing was never an issue for Vasconi.
“The book was just a passion project of mine that I would work on in my free time,” Vasconi said. “It never interfered with my academic priorities.”
Vasconi has loved writing since he was young and recalled a middle school teacher telling him he would be an author someday.
He took a creative writing course with Professor McGinty his sophomore year, which is what sparked the idea to write a book.
Several relationships influenced Vasconi to keep writing.
“My international roommate from the UK was moving away, and he loved reading, so I promised to finish the book for him,” Vasconi said. “[Also] was my first girlfriend, who also loved reading. She wanted to read my work, so I focused and finished it.”
Vasconi said his novel was published on his old roommate’s birthday.
“It feels awesome to have my work published in the library,” Vasconi said.
“In all honesty, it might just be me downplaying my accomplishments, but I never pushed to make it available,” he said. “I viewed it as just another complete hobby, but as my friends talked about it, it spiraled into a much bigger deal.”
Special Collections in the Bailey Library purchased a copy of Vasconi’s book on Amazon, and the rest was taken care of, according to Vasconi.
“They were great to work with,” he said. “Thank you to everyone, Judy Silva especially.”
Vasconi offered advice to anyone else who may want to write a book.
“You should be in love with your book and your characters, so much so that you want others to appreciate them as well,” he said. “I kept remembering a piece of advice while writing: If I never publish my book, then my characters are never published either.”
“They’ll remain in my head instead of having the chance to be recognized and loved by others. Do it for your characters,” he added.
Vasconi believes his book connects him to people he knows while he is busy at college.
“As someone heavily involved internationally, I am acutely aware of how long you sometimes have to go before seeing someone you care about again,” he said. “I’m always busy, so it’s nice to know my loved ones have my book. If they ever miss me, it’s nice to know they can hear my voice whenever they open my book.”
“The Girl Who Died Twice” is available on Amazon, as well as for checkout at the Bailey Library.
