John Tabellione

As a writer who's traveled internationally extensively, I've had the opportunity to visit the homeland of my grandparents--Italy--on several occasions, accumulating thousands of kilometers of driving experience along the peninsula.

On one of my sojourns to Italy a few years ago, I visited St. Nicholas’ relics in Bari. Having been stationed in Turkey---his birthplace---with the USAF as a Russian linguist 1971-72, I decided to create an international espionage novel centered around the sacred remnants of one of the most famous saints. My intention for BONES OF CONTENTION is to share the history and mystery of the drama between the Vatican, Turkey, the U.S. and Russia, over the course of two millennia throughout the Cold War to the present day—but through the eyes of contemporary characters involved in military espionage. Read BONES OF CONTENTION to learn how these priceless relics of Nicholas have engendered a geo-political tension and jealousy among these countries: a condition that has gravely impacted military and church hierarchies alike. 

When people ask about my writing background, I tell them that for over ten years I've been a member of the Atlanta Writers Club, one of the oldest such groups in the U.S., as well as several years with the former North Point Writers' Critique Group. Both organizations and fellow members have been great resources of support in my writing. I've been able to earn a few awards in both non-fiction and fiction writing: Atlanta Writers Club (First Place Award); Georgia Writers Association (Third Place Certificate); Central Atlanta Progress, Inc. Writing Contest (Runner-up Prize).

A few years ago, I wrote a travel memoir: PIT STOPS, PITFALLS and OLIVE PITS PITS, a literary license to enjoy driving escapades throughout scenic Italy. My purpose in writing this roadside and bedside travel handbook about serendipitous driving adventures along the "boot," is to encourage readers to try driving in Italy themselves, to enjoy the history and scenery as you can only do by automobile. If you're on a cruise, you have to be back in time before the ship's departure. The same goes for bus tours and train schedules.

Should you choose to drive, however, you own "la strada" (the street). You can stop at any tiny hill town that captures your imagination and then linger at your leisure. Or, as I've done, you may look up those long-lost relatives and savor al fresco dining.

Furthermore, my writing experience is complemented by over twenty-five years of strategic communication responsibilities as a Marketing, New Business Development and National Account Sales Executive in consumer goods and commercial industries. 

I've worked primarily with Fortune 500 companies, as well as with smaller firms and non-profits, encompassing a variety of products, including those of Georgia-Pacific, Kimberly-Clark and Stanley Works. My undergraduate degree is a B.A. in English from Fairfield University (CT) and I've earned an MBA in Marketing from the University of Hartford (CT). In addition, I have studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute at Syracuse University (NY), in addition to having taken courses in Italian language and culture at Kennesaw State University (GA).

My wife, Jackie, and I are parents of two adult sons: one, who traveled with us on one of the journeys to Italy referenced in PIT STOPS, PITFALLS and OLIVE PITS PITS; our other son, and his wife, together have also traveled to Italy on a couple of occasions. It seems I just can't get enough of Italy, so I've promised our granddaughters, a trip of a lifetime to the land of their roots very soon.

Though my wife and I have visited Italy five times, we have so many more places to see and explore. I'm at the point that, when someone asks me which is my favorite Italian city, I simply tell them: the place where I'm at in the moment while I'm traveling in Italia.