Lucia is the author and illustrator of the trilogy Zoe the Crab. She has traveled the world as a physiotherapist consultant and now is speaking up about diversity and inclusion for children with Special Needs.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GREAT RESOURCES THAT HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY?
In my career as a writer, the main useful resources have been reading, taking drama classes, listening to Podcasts and studying creative writing.
YOU HAVE HAD SOME VERY UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE THROUGHOUT YOUR TRAVELS. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW THIS HAS ADDED TO YOUR STORYTELLING?
One very unique opportunity was being able to work as a consultant for a rehabilitation method that was based on astronaut’s technology. This provided me the opportunity to run lectures in many different countries like Malaysia, Portugal, Germany, Brazil, Cyprus, Bahrain, United Arabic Emirates, amongst other places.
AS A WRITER WHOSE CHILDHOOD EMANATES FROM RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, HOW ARE THOSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES REFLECTED IN YOUR WRITINGS FOR THE ZOE THE CRAB SERIES?
The best memories from my childhood are from the days I spent on the beach in front of the Sugar Loaf. In those times I used to be fascinated by the marine life and all the interesting little creatures on the beach.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOKS.
My books are about inclusion, diversity and friendship. I want to show kids and their parents that having special needs or being different is completely normal.
I love creating stories for children, drawing upon my knowledge in special needs for children to create self empowering content. Of course, I love to illustrate my own books since painting and drawing are two of my passions.
Zoe the Crab is a low middle grade trilogy that will take young readers on a journey onto the beaches of Florida. Zoe is a sweet little crab that has to overcome challenges and accept that walking sideways is just another aspect of herself.
WILL THERE BE MORE STORIES ADDED TO THE ZOE SERIES? ARE THERE ANY NEW PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON?
Yes! Zoe the Crab is a trilogy and I will release the third book in November. The project after that will focus even more on people with special needs and will target an older age range.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNG SELF?
Please stop over thinking and go for what you believe in, without caring about what other people think.
PLEASE SHARE WITH AUDIENCES HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT YOUR WORK.
The best way to support my work is to follow me on the different platforms, to read my books and give me honest feedback and maybe ideas for topics that the readers would like me to talk about. Please subscribe to my website so you can get my newsletter and some giveaways.
Lucia Matuonto https://www.luciamatuonto.com
Instagram: Luciamatuontoauthor
Twitter: Luciamatuontoauthor
Facebook page: Zoethecrab
