Andrea Ansevini: Versatility and Determination
Interview by Maria Teresa De Donato
Dear friends,
Today, I am pleased to
introduce Andrea Ansevini, a dear friend and fellow author. Over
the years, I have always admired not only his versatility, reflected in his
many activities and interests as well as his literary output, but also his
determination in pursuing the goals he sets out to achieve.
From his Biography, we read that "Andrea was born on
April 30, 1979, in Ancona and lives in Polverigi with his wife Adele, his muse,
whom he married in 2012. He graduated with honors in 1999 and works for an
intercom and video intercom company.
He has been passionate about writing, music, and photography for
many years.
That said, I wish you all happy reading and invite you to
subscribe to our respective YouTube channels (Andrea
Ansevini and Maria Teresa De Donato) and follow us on
social media.
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MTDD: Hi Andrea, and welcome
to my blog and virtual cultural lounge. It's a great pleasure to have you as my
guest again.
AA: Hi Maria Teresa, thank you so much for hosting me, and thank
you also to whoever is reading this right now.
MTDD: Andrea, I began this interview with a brief introduction about
you, even though we know each other quite well, having collaborated and
supported each other for many years.
I would be pleased if, in introducing yourself to our
readership, you could begin by explaining how you came to be a writer.
AA: I became a writer purely by chance. I had a thought in my head,
and it became my first poem.
My passion for writing began in 1990. Since then, I have written
3,205 poems, 340 short stories, and published thirteen books, four of which
were self-published.
In 2010, I made my
literary debut with the work "Poetry in the Diary - 50 Thoughts in
Time" (Marcelli Editore).
In 2015, my second book, my first novel, "The Mysterious
Door," was self-published.
In 2017, I published "Beyond the Door" (Le
Mezzelane Casa Editrice - "La mia strada" series), for which I
received the Award for Best Emerging National Writer at the 2019 "Gli
Oscar delle Stelle" award ceremony.
In 2019, it was the turn of "Delitto in Casa Le
Mezzelane" (Le Mezzelane Publishing House - "Enigmi"
series), written with Alessandra Piccinini.
In 2020, I returned to self-publishing with my fifth book, "Vietato
dormire (20 racconti per restare sveglia)," a collection of twenty
short stories of various genres written between 2010 and 2020.
In 2021, I published "Pinocchio Anno Zero" (Le
Mezzelane Publishing House, part of the "La mia strada" series),
co-written with Viviana Nobilini and featuring a preface by singer-songwriter
Umberto Napolitano.
A little over a month later, my seventh book, "Dietro la
porta" (Le Mezzelane Publishing House, part of the "La mia
strada" series), was released.
In 2022, it was the turn of "Morte nell'acciaieria"
(Dragonfly Edizioni - "BloodRose" series).
In 2023, I self-published my ninth book, "I nostri mille
foglie sparsi," a collection of ten short stories co-written with Sara
Marino and featuring a preface by Gino Marchitelli.
A few months later, the second edition of "Morte
nell'acciaieria" (Death in the Steelworks) was published (Dragonfly
Edizioni - "BloodRose" series), available in paperback with a new
design and previously unpublished content.
In 2024, I published "La più
bella estate della mia vita" (The Most Beautiful Summer of My Life)
(Le Mezzelane Casa Editrice - "La mia strada" series), with a Preface
by singer-songwriter Roberto Vecchioni.
Five months later, my new book, "Due anime
ribelli," was released, co-written with Milena Bonvissuto,
self-published by both, and featuring a Preface by Eugenio Pattacini.
In 2025, I published my twelfth book, "Nel nome del
Padre" (LifeBooks Edizioni), co-written with Alexandra Fischer.
MTDD: Congratulations! Your body of work is impressive, and it would
be impossible to cover all of your work in this interview. Therefore, I'd like
to focus on a few of your books in particular, starting with Death in the
Steelworks (2022, 2023).
The Synopsis reads:
During a
"quiet" workday at the Iron Vision Corp. steelworks, everything is
going as smoothly as ever. Suddenly, the discovery of a hand shocks all the
workers, and panic begins to take over, causing chaos. Could it be an accident
at work or a premeditated murder? After various investigations and
interrogations, the steelworks are placed under seizure; the company cannot
afford to close, and life goes on as if nothing had happened. But what has
really happened?
What inspired you to
write this mystery, and why did you choose that particular setting?
AA: I was inspired by reading and hearing about workplace accidents
on TV, so I took inspiration and said to myself, "Why not address this
topic too?" And so I did. Unlike Italy, where I've set all my books, I
chose to put this one in the United States, specifically in Pittsburgh, because
there were many steel mills in the 1960s.
MTDD: In 2024, you published
The Most Beautiful Summer of My Life, a title that brings back memories
of our vacations, especially those spent during childhood and adolescence,
which, unfortunately, not everyone experienced with joy and carefreeness. This
is also the case for your protagonist, Tobia, who suddenly feels lost due to
the diagnosis of a rare and unknown disease.
Would you like to tell us about it, explaining why you felt the
need to introduce the theme of "disease" and what message (whether of
hope or otherwise) you aim to convey to the reader?
AA: It was suggested to me way back in 2007 by the guitarist in my
band, where I was the keyboardist and lyricist from 1998 to 2003. One day, my
friend asked me if I wanted to write a book about his brother. I immediately
refused because I didn't feel ready to write a book, but after a few weeks, I
changed my mind and got started. Once I began, I quickly abandoned it because
the story was very complicated and, at the same time, sad and painful in some
passages, as it deals with a very rare disease. With this book, I want to
introduce my readers to this unknown disease. Very little is known, and this is
an opportunity to put it in the spotlight and ensure it is discussed as widely
as possible.
MTDD: In 2024, a few months
later, you published another novel, Due anime ribelli, co-written with Milena Bonvissuto.
Darkness and Light, Past and Present, and Love as a
"powerful and ambivalent force" – as you defined it in the Synopsis
– are the fundamental themes of this publication of yours.
Without revealing too much, would you elaborate on these
concepts and suggest any lessons we can learn from reading this book?
AA: Light without Darkness would not exist. It is like a struggle
between Good and Evil. The lesson we draw from this is an invitation never to
give up and fight to ensure that good always prevails, because with good
manners, everything always succeeds.
MTDD: In 2025, your book, In
the Name of the Father, co-written with Alexandra Fisher, was published.
The theme of illness, this time of a psychological nature,
resurfaces, along with the struggle to master or defeat, if possible, the inner
demons that never give up but, on the contrary, periodically show up again in
an individual's life.
This is the case of
Ottavio, the protagonist of this novel.
Does the mystery surrounding depression, psychological
suffering, and inner turmoil fascinate you, and if so, why?
AA: It fascinates me because it's a story that can happen to anyone
experiencing a down moment. We all have down moments; the important thing is to
never fall into depression or commit reckless acts.
MTDD: How could this book
of yours help or encourage a potential reader who finds themselves dealing with
these types of psychological and/or mental conditions?
AA: This book of ours is an invitation never to give up, to reflect
and understand who we truly are and what we want from life. If we can't, we
should seek help.
MTDD: Also in 2025, you published Stuck on the Mountain, a
novel that, as stated in the Synopsis, can be considered "...A
journey to the limit, exploring the fragility of existence and the saving power
of memory."
Would you like to tell us about it?
AA: In a remote corner of the world, among snow-capped peaks and
absolute silence, the dramatic story of Filippo Arrideo unfolds. What was
supposed to be a simple excursion turns into a nightmare when a sudden storm
forces him to take refuge in a tiny cabin almost submerged in snow.
Isolated, without contact with the outside world and with
limited resources, Filippo faces extreme conditions, teetering between Life and
Death. His cell phone, now dead, ceases to be an anchor of hope. The alarm is
lost, while his whereabouts remain unknown. Every minute that passes makes his
safety more uncertain.
In rare moments of lucidity, Filippo's mind takes refuge in
memories: fragments of a past that forcefully resurface, mingling with fear and
hope.
Stuck on the Mountain is a tale of survival and resilience, in which
man confronts the indomitable power of nature and the ghosts of his memory. A
journey to the limit, exploring the fragility of existence and the saving power
of memory.
MTDD: Andrea, your
activities, we want to remind our readers, are not limited to your secular work
and your literary output, but also include your active participation in the
YouTube channel, where over the years you have hosted, along with various
colleagues, many cultural programs, in which I have been a guest.
Would you like to tell us about your participation on the board
of directors of the "LetterarieMenti" cultural association and the
first "Mischel-Arte" literary café, which you founded in Ancona with
your friend Manuela Bocchetta?
AA: Gladly. On March 24, 2023, I joined the board of directors of
the "LetterarieMenti" cultural association, where I organize
presentations and events for authors from central Italy (Marche, Umbria,
Tuscany, Lazio, and Abruzzo) at the publishing headquarters of "Le
Mezzelane Casa Editrice."
On June 3, 2023, after founding it a month earlier, I opened
Ancona's first literary café, "Miscel-Arte," with my friend Manuela
Bocchetta. I serve as vice president. We organize literary and musical events,
as well as themed evenings.
MTDD: As I mentioned, over
the years, you've organized various programs showcasing literary works and
emerging authors alongside other colleagues.
Would you like to thank anyone in particular for their support
over the years?
AA: First and foremost,
I'd like to thank my wife, Adele, and you for this interview and for all the
advice you gave me in the past. Other people I am grateful to include the
entire Sagoradio24TV staff (Milena Bonvissuto, Aurora Coppola, Eugenio
Pattacini, Pekos J. Esteban). Then there are those who collaborate with me on
live shows, in this case, Milena again, along with Patrizia Giardini and
Marcello Moscoloni. Of course, thanks also to Anna Valente, Isabella Galeotti,
and Cristina Monteburini.
MTDD: Would you like to
mention your other passions besides writing?
AA: Of course! I'm also very active in the music world. From 1997
to 2001, I played keyboards and wrote lyrics for the band "I magnifici
cinque." To date, I have recorded 18 CDs featuring my poetry and rap
songs, which denounce the "illnesses of society." Several of my songs
were initially broadcast on regional radio stations, primarily Radio Aut
Marche, thanks to Giancarlo Guardabassi. I later appeared on national radio
stations such as Radio 2 ("Il ruggito del coniglio"), Radio M2O (with
an interview featuring Selvaggia Lucarelli), R101, RTL 102.5, Radio Italia, and
Radio Deejay, among others.
My wife, Adele, often
participates in recordings.
I am also passionate
about photography. I often participate in photography exhibitions at various
clubs and cultural associations to which I belong, where I exhibit my
photographs and also read poetry.
I am also involved in social work. I have often conceived and
organized themed evenings to raise funds for those most in need, including the
following:
- in 2016, "Percorsi DiVersi," in which I hosted a
poetry reading, inviting several guest poets, to raise funds for the
earthquake-stricken populations of central Italy;
- in 2010, "Un'amicizia per sempre," a charity CD
where I raised funds for the children of Darfur;
- In 1998, "Give me five," a charity CD for the Lega
del Filo d'Oro."
MTDD: This honors you as
a man, Andrea, even before you as an artist.
AA: Thank you so much. It's always nice and right to do good.
MTDD: What is art, and
what does being an artist mean to Andrea Ansevini?
AA: Regardless of the type of expression, we are all drawn to do
something, and that something, for me, is called "art."
MTDD: Andrea, before we
say goodbye, would you like to remind our readers where they can find you to
keep up with your activities?
AA: Gladly. Anyone interested can find me, in addition to YouTube,
using my first and last name on the following social media platforms:
Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Waveful.
MTDD: Thank you, Andrea, for
participating in this interview. It's always a pleasure to have you as my guest.
AA: Thank you again for your invitation, and thank you to those who
read to the end.
Thank you to everyone who is part of my real life, as well as my
virtual one, which I hope will soon become a reality too.
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