Join us for Namus Classics’ upcoming Radiance Concert by Classical Pianist Jeeyoon Kim- Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 3 pm. The concert will take place at the beautiful La Jolla Music Society venue, (Baker-Baum Concert Hall at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center).
It will celebrate the release of Jeeyoon Kim’s fourth album, “Radiance,” as well as her new book, Beyond the Keys: Music and Stories of Inspiration. (Publishing date- September 19, 2025 by the Greenleaf Book Group).
The Radiance concert will kick-off Jeeyoon’s nationwide multi-city tour for the 2025–2026 concert season.
With Radiance, Jeeyoon brings Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to life, with each movement enhanced by stunning artwork from contemporary artists. Prepare for an engaging and innovative performance where music, art, and storytelling intertwine, creating an unforgettable celebration of beauty.
Jeeyoon’s piano performances are one-of-a-kind in that they often involve story telling, multimedia, visual art, poetry, and of course, the incredible piano repertoire.
Nursing and the Arts Ep9 – Marianne Sciucco, BA, RN, AlzAuthors
Nursing and the Arts Ep9 Marianne Sciucco
Audio link above is provided to listen to Ep9: The Writer who happens to be a nurse!: Meet Marianne Sciucco, BA, RN, AlzAuthors and Nursing and the Arts Podcast Host Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN.
Nursing and the Arts is a podcast devoted to Nurses discussing their diverse artistic passions (or endeavors) such as visual arts/photography, journaling, comedy, podcasting, storytelling, writing/poetry, crafting, cooking, dance, theatre, music, film etc.
Join us on today’s 9th episode of the Nursing and the ArtsPodcast for an informative and entertaining discussion with our guest Marianne Sciucco, BA, RN, AlzAuthors.
Watch the Nursing and the Arts Podcast (above)!
Ep9: The Writer who happens to be a nurse!: Meet Marianne Sciucco, BA, RN, AlzAuthors and Host Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN (right)
Show Notes
Marianne Sciucco, BA, RN, Writer is the Board President, Manager and Co-Founder, AlzAuthors
Marianne Sciucco (Courtesy photo with permission)
(From Susan): I was fortunate to meet Marianne Sciucco virtually in 2022 as a new Author for AlzAuthors. At the time, I was one of over 350 authors sharing of my two poems about Alzheimer’s/Dementia, along with my book POETIC EXPRESSIONS IN NURSING: SHARING THE CARING. (Now there are almost 400 authors in AlzAuthors)! I also was able to be part of an AlzAuthors blog post with my story as well as being included in a virtual poetry podcast collaboration and the same two poems of mine were recently included in the new AlzAuthors anthology POETRY FOR THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY.
Now on to Marianne! I cannot wait to have you all learn more about her! She’s a keeper!
Originally from Massachusetts, Marianne was a writer before she became a nurse! She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English at University of Massachusetts, Boston. She edited the University newspaper, became Editor in Chief and had intern positions including news radio, newspapers and freelance writing. After working for a few years, she entered the world of nursing at age 29, first as a fast-track LPN, then pursued nursing school and obtained her Associates Degree in Nursing.
She has worked in med-surg staff nursing, case management and most recently is a nurse part-time in Campus Health.
Marianne self-published (with assistance) her first book, “Blue Hydrangeas” in 2013. It’s an Alzheimer’s love story of a New England married couple, Jack and Sarah who run a charming Cape Cod B & B for many years. Then, Sarah is diagnosed with Dementia. Jack promises that he will stay with her at home in their house forever. To read more about Blue Hydrangeas click HERE. Also, listed below are links to more of Marianne’s books etc.
Marianne was an early member of the now very popular group “Clean Indie Reads” where members shared blog and newsletter swaps and reviews. This process led her to consider doing this with people who had personal experiences with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Marianne met and collaborated with Authors Jean Lee Alzheimer’s Daughterand Vicki Tapia Someone Stole My Iron to promote their books. They are three of the founding members of AlzAuthors!
Most AlzAuthors are left with knowledge due to their personal experiences with loved ones on their dementia journey. Thus they “wrote the book they wished they had”.
Marianne, Jean and Vicki started collaboration campaigns in June, 2015 for Alzheimer’s Month and in November, 2015 for Caregiver Month. In 2016 they started a blog and invited other authors to contribute blog posts. This all led to start of AlzAuthors! Besides the website, there are podcasts, book clubs, virtual events, custom caregiver book collections, a poetry anthology and more!
For fun, in addition to enjoying reading and writing, Marianne likes to watch television series and movies, traveling to see family, visiting her daughter in England with her husband a few times a year and walks in nature.
When she transitioned from writing to nursing, Marianne’s creativity was shut down for awhile.
A nurse manager gave Marianne the opportunity to utilize her backgound in writing and improve a nursing department newsletter four times a year for a few years (paid- she received the equivalent of her per/hour nursing salary). This reinvigorated her professional writing and creative side and got her back to writing, including an article for former journal Nursing Spectrum. Then she started writing Blue Hydrangeas – writing into the evenings!
When I asked Marianne about the importance of a creative outlet for nurses, she astutely stated, “Nursing give you a front row seat to the theatre of life”.
Indeed!
Nurses take on feelings and have many stories inside and need an outlet.
Marianne mentioned that there are many tools and opportunities for nurses to write. One can dicate into their mobile/portable devices, pursue blogging, journaling, writing articles for websites or blogs about aspects of healthcare, etc.
The sky’s the limit and rest is history!
Here is Marianne’s Bio:
Marianne Sciucco is not a nurse who writes but a writer who happens to be a nurse, using her skills and experience to create stories that bear witness to the humanity in all of us. She writes contemporary, women’s and young adult fiction.
With more than 20-years’ experience as a staff nurse and case manager, she’s worked with countless families dealing with issues related to aging, elder care, Alzheimer’s, and nursing home placement. In 2002, she put the two together and began writing about the intricate lives of people struggling with health and family issues. She published her debut novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, in 2013 to glowing reviews.
This book led her to become a co-founder and director of AlzAuthors, the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. She is podcast producer and host for Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia, an AlzAuthors Podcast. Visit AlzAuthors.com.
Marianne has written an award-winning prequel to Blue Hydrangeas called Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas and is currently working on A Wedding at Blue Hydrangeas. She is the author of Swim Season, a young adult novel based on her 11-years’ experience as a Swim Mom in club, high school, and collegiate swimming.
All of her work is available in Kindle, audiobook, and paperback.
When not writing she works as a campus nurse at a community college in New York’s Hudson Valley.
Follow Marianne on her blog MarianneSciucco.com, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Thank you very much Marianne! It has been a pleasure!
About Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, a native of New Jersey, is the owner/ president of SJF Communications, San Diego, CA.
SJF Communications, originally established in 2002 in San Jose, CA, provides communications services including Public Relations, Publicity, Marketing, Websites, Filmmaking, Acting, Social Media, Writing and Public Speaking, Photography, Mentoring, Coaching and Legal Nurse Consulting services.
Ms. Farese has diversified experience in health care/communications, including clinical nursing practice, management, education/training, research and consulting.
If you are a nurse (or know of a nurse) who would like to be considered for a “Nursing and the Arts” Podcast interview, please reach out to Susan by email: info@sjfcommunications.com.
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Ahoy dear book readers and enthusiasts in the San Diego area! No – you don’t have to travel to an island for this amazing upcoming Treasure Island Book Festival! Now featuring over 70 authors! Plus, it’s FREE! For the entire Family too! Well, shiver me timbers!
Poster for the Treasure Island Book Festival
On Saturday, October 12, from 10 am – 5 pm (Pacific Time) at the San Marcos Community Center, (3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA), join in the fun at the “Treasure Island Book Festival”. Led by local CEO and young adult Author, Tanya Ross of “Once Upon a Book Fair” (“Where stories for all ages come to life”) and a variety of authors and other team members. Get ready for a fun-filled day!
Once Upon a Book Fair 2024 is a literary celebration that immerses authors and readers in the adventures found at the turn of every page. Meet new authors, discover new books, get autographs.
UPDATED 10/10/2024:
Here is a podcast interview on the Spotlight on the Community Podcast with Guests “Once Upon a Book Fair” CEO Tanya Ross and Author Jolie Tunnell interviewed by Host Drew Schlosberg and Co-host Kristen Fogle:
Once Upon a Book Fair…
…encourages literacy …showcases multiple genres, something for everyone …inspires youth …shines a spotlight on local writers …provides a rare meet and greet with published authors …draws people together and celebrates diversity …validates San Diego’s public library programs …creates a unique cultural community event …supports small business …has education, inspiration, and imagination all in one fabulous place!
More about the Treasure Island Book Fair:
The festival itself is free. There will be food vendor(s) at the event, including a taco truck (outside), a non-alcoholic “Bar” with Mocktails and soft drinks (inside), and a coffee/pancake/ice cream vendor (inside).
A festival might not be complete without a Cosplay contest too!- It’s a community dress-up party! Whether one dresses in character garb or even as a pirate – let your Cosplay character chime in!
Are you saying “ARRRR” to yourself yet? The theme of this year’s event is Treasure Island, where pirates and scavenger hunts abound!
There will be prizes given away such as books, merchandise, art and more! Plus author panels!
Q & A with Tanya Ross, Young Adult Author and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Left to right: Tanya Ross, Author and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: How did Once Upon a Book Fair get started?
TR: An author friend of mine and I put our heads together one day a couple of years ago because there were no book fairs up in the North County of San Diego. We wanted to give local authors a chance to come together in a place outside of San Diego proper where the fees for a table would be affordable. We launched our brainchild the first year (2022) in Grape Day Park with 25 authors and the assistance of the Escondido Public Library. Once we saw we could do it, we went forward.
SJF: Is Once Upon a Book Fair a non-profit?
TR: On its own–not yet. It’s possible it will be eventually. This year for the first time it is a certified business with the city of Escondido. Right now it’s not fiscally possible to launch it as a non-profit. That being said, it is not a money-making venture for me. We will most likely break even with the expenses. It’s more of a passion project than a capital raising venture. I don’t want to make money on the backs of other authors.
SJF: Do you do this alone?
TR: No. Even though I am the CEO, I have a wonderful committee of ten other authors who help me with ideas and implementation. We meet monthly to discuss how we’re doing with the progress of each unique assignment. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.
SJF: Why should people attend?
TR: You should attend if you love books! We’ll have over 70 authors to discover, chat with, and celebrate. We’ll have activities for kids, a scavenger hunt, prizes, and author panels. Everyone who attends can come in costume (cosplay), and we’ll have a couple of contests for the best outfits. There will be food and beverages! Our theme is Treasure Island, so pirates will be about.
SJF: How do I find it?
TR: The fair will be at the San Marcos Community Center, right where the library and city hall are: 3 Civic Center Drive in San Marcos. It’s an all day event, from 10 until 5.
SJF: Is there a cost?
TR: The fair is FREE.
SJF: Will you be there with your own books?
TR: Yes! I can’t wait to share my award-winning dystopian Tranquility Series with those who attend. My characters are waiting in the wings for you!
SJF: How can people get involved?
TR: We are under the non-profit umbrella of a group called Fractured Atlas, so you may donate to us through that organization. The best part is that donating to them benefits us and allows you to write off your donation while advertising your products. Write to me at tanyarossauthor@gmail.com for more information.
SPEAKERS include:
Bryan Cantrell, an award-winning writer of novels, screenplays, and comics as well as being and executive producer of feature films is our 12:00 speaker. Bryan also is an entrepreneur owning brands in fashion, beauty and the outdoor industry. He was on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2018 with his business partner pitching their Radiate Portable Campfire securing a deal with Shark, Robert Herjavec. He now resides in California with his family pursuing a love of writing, surfing and skateboarding. He’ll be sharing amazing pirate lore and all the good stuff about his latest novel, Pirates of the Wild West, A Time Travel Sea Adventure with a Western Twist, all about the infamous pirates of the Caribbean who meet secretly on Blackbeard’s prized ship. A time vortex whisks them away to the year 1873.
and…
Bestselling author Cathy Scott, a Los Angeles Times and New York Times bestselling author, veteran crime writer, investigative journalist, will be in person for our 1 p.m. slot. She will discuss her career as a reporter for local San Diego newspapers to writing true crime books such as: The Murder of Biggie Smalls,The Killing of Tupac Shakur, Murder of a Mafia Daughter,Freeway Rick Ross, and The Millionaire’s Wife.
Update! As of September 27, 2024, the proposed Author line-up includes:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Amazon Music
Audible
Audacy
iHeartRadio
CastBox
