Mariella Gattini

If you are reading this, you’ve survived 2021. Congratulations. I hope you find yourself in a good place. The variants Delta and Omicron of this pandemic, that does not want to go away, are causing much incertitude about the future.

I’ve received the first two rounds of the Pfizer vaccine and was later vaccinated with the Pfizer booster. I’m among 60 million people boosted in the United States to this day. Thanks to the Pfizer vaccines, plus the flu vaccine, the use of a mask in public places at all times, and the avoidance of enclosed spaces filled with people as much as possible, I’ve been able to travel within the country by plane twice without getting infected. I’m very cautious and I keep my distance, because there still are people who do not understand the gravity of the situation. The misinformation and disinformation, related to the vaccines and treatments available that can solve the problem, are rampant and politically motivated by agents not suited to be in government in any country in the world.

I’m vaccinated with all the shots I described above because I care about my own health, but I also care about the health of those I might be in contact with. I have no side effects in my body or mind due to these vaccines, I can assure you that I’m in good health, and that my mind is better than ever, envisioning new stories that can illustrate what has become of us as a species. I haven’t published them yet because I’ve been busy with other projects. Therefore, I can not blame anybody for not having my books published, not even myself.

This new year I’ll be focusing on the traditional business of publishing, which I know already is tricky, especially for new authors. I’ll be posting from time to time about my adventures and misadventures in this search. Before the pandemic, I participated in different writers conferences around the country, so I have a pretty good idea of how things work, but everything depends on finding the right people for the job, and that can take some time. For the moment, I’m preparing myself for disappointment by keeping my discouragement at bay, because this is not only about the quality or effectiveness of the story at hand, it is also about the willingness of agents and publishers to open up to a different way of seeing things, since their first priority is in how marketable the product can be.

I’m not going to tell you what to do with your life because I’m not that kind of writer, what I’m adamant to say is that we are all important; we can all make a difference in someone else’s quality of life, and that it is never too late to be part of what is good in life, a life full of light that allows for more opportunities for everyone involved.

I wish you my best. Happy New Year.