Nancy Barone

Nancy Barone, an Italian-Canadian author, is best known for her work in romantic comedy and women's fiction. Her novels, including The Husband Diet (2022) and A Summer in Sicily (2023), have garnered a devoted readership. Nancy's talent for storytelling has earned her recognition, including participation at the Women's Fiction Festival in Matera, Italy.

Born in Canada, Nancy Barone moved to Italy at 12, where she developed a love of literature. Isolated from her native English, she found solace in reading, immersing herself in books by Judy Blume and other English-language authors.

Writing took a new turn for her when she married a British man and settled in Sicily. While teaching English in a small fishing village, she began writing seriously, inspired by the scenic beauty and vibrant culture around her. Her first published work was a paranormal romance entitled Timeless (2016).

After her first foray into writing, Nancy said, "I've always written, but it was only in the last fifteen years that I considered writing professionally. I'm so glad I did!"

Nancy's breakthrough came with The Husband Diet, a witty and heartfelt novel about Erica Cantelli, a woman navigating the ups and downs of life, love and weight loss. Nancy's ability to create relatable, humorous and touching stories resonated with readers and led to a series of books featuring Erica's character.

"Erica allowed me to speak my mind but hide behind someone stronger than me," Nancy explained. This novel marked Nancy's transition into women's fiction and showed her versatility as a writer.

In A Summer in Sicily (2023), she tells the story of a woman who faces betrayal and finds solace and a new beginning on the picturesque island of Lipari. The book captures the essence of Sicilian life, combining humour, romance and the transformative power of friendship.

Nancy Barone remains an active member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and a keen supporter of the Women's Fiction Festival in Matera.

Photo credit: X @NancyNBW