His latest book is the narrative nonfiction, The Portuguese Immigrant: Atlantic Heritage Story.
You can connect with him at Instagram at www.instagram.com/lusoloonie.
Thanks for this interview, Devin. Congratulations on your new book! Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing? Can you tell us about your journey?
Thanks for having me! I would say that the road to get my book published went through some peaks and valleys. At the worst moments, feelings of uncertainty and doubt could have derailed my goal, if not for the positive feedback from beta readers and a thorough manuscript evaluation. Otherwise, without the guidance of a publisher or literary agent, I was fending for myself and trying to navigate next steps as I pushed ahead. Once I knew that my manuscript was complete, I shopped it around with publishers for many months to no avail. When the thought to self-publish came up, I was in contact with a publisher that facilitated many of those steps for the author but as I moved ahead, I decided to go on the venture on my own. That’s how I discovered Amazon KDP and proceeded to publish exclusively on Amazon. The hardest parts along the way was the lack of information and options available to me. When I got a handle of where I wanted to be and knew ow to get there, it was smooth sailing.
When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?
I like to travel, so I go the airport about 1-2 times a year and take many road trips to explore new places in my province. Otherwise, I like to research history, hence the genealogy project that is my book, and I also enjoy numismatics, so I have a collection of coins and banknotes.
What makes your book stand out from the rest?
Compared to other ancestry books, my story has so much detail that brings the reader in the shoes of the main characters. Much of their life choices were a result of their environment but I put into words how that affected them to make such life changing decisions and what it took for them to complete that. My book stands out as a manifesto for the exceptional Canadian immigrant.
Can you give us the very first page of your book so that we can get a glimpse inside?
Family is a wonderful thing. Ancestry delineates heritage, but our companions, those individuals we hold dear to our hearts, can feel closer than blood. Sometimes, that’s all the family we need. Sharing a connection with those that surround us can be enough to keep us content without ever questioning where we came from. Other times, you don’t care enough to ask until it’s too late. That’s what happened to me.
It wasn’t until my grandparents passed away when I became more intrigued about their history. I knew of their Portuguese roots, but my understanding barely scratched the surface. Over the following years, I enquired to collect their information and dug into my family archives using the resources at my disposal: photos, documents, databases, historical media, DNA testing, and interviews with my elder, living relatives. By attaching those pieces of an intricate puzzle, I was able to reconstruct a true-life story.
In a short time, I essentially took on genealogy as a hobby. Becoming a family historian took much time, patience, and fact-finding. Part of me felt like Indiana Jones, investigating buried artifacts that could have very well fallen into obscurity, if not for me. It’s funny how history can be forgotten just like that. I had a self-directed obligation to preserve my discoveries. That hunt for information became something of an obsession. The deeper I looked, the more I needed to know. The more I learned, the deeper I connected with my ancestors. What I amassed was deeply profound and poetic, befitting a narrative book: a love story of epic proportions.
My inspiration stemmed from a brave and resilient man. He was my paternal grandfather, Vovô, Manuel de Lima Meireles. Born and raised in the Azores, he forged a chapter that would redefine the future of his namesakes, being a pioneer to break ground in a foreign land and leading his family to a new country upon emigrating to Canada. Faith was his strongest asset to get there. Devoted to his wife and children, he managed to overcome every obstacle along the way. His hard work eventually paid off to see much love, laughter, and memories.
I fondly remember him as a warm-hearted man who shared much wisdom. Without him, I would not be who I am today, nor would I be afforded the birthright of being a Canadian national, undoubtedly the greatest gift that his legacy has bestowed to my generation.
I acknowledge that my privilege stands on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. They called this land home before the arrival of the settlers, and in many cases, still call it home. I recognize the enduring presence and resilience of Indigenous Peoples that have cared for this amazing land before Vovô had the honour to call it home too.
I wish I could ask him about all the struggles and hardships he faced, but those details will forever be esoteric and contribute to the venerable status that he signifies in my family. He will live forever in my heart, and his biography is the subject of this book. The following is what life was like for the exceptional Portuguese man; this is Vovô’s Atlantic Heritage Story.
If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?
Definitely would be in the Canada Day section because the story exemplifies the typical struggle of the immigrant population and how these people have contributed to the country in such a positive way.
Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?
Not sure if that would be applicable to my story but perhaps a series on Atlantic heritage and the roots that unite us may be a good idea!
When you were young, did you ever see writing as a career or full-time profession?
Well, considering that I used to write short novellas for my classmates to read during reading time at school, yes, I always wanted to be creative for work. Being a writer was certainly a grand vision for myself and this project may be a step in that direction. Fingers crossed.
What’s next for you?
Keep writing about whatever inspires me. Family history and Portuguese heritage remains one of those topics, and hopefully I can work on another book for the Portuguese descendants and second-generation immigrants alike to enjoy!
The Portuguese Immigrant: Atlantic Heritage Story is a narrative non-fiction book about the author’s family history—particularly the lives of their paternal ancestors from Sao Miguel Island in Portugal. The story begins with their great-grandparents before shifting focus to their paternal grandparents and their unconditional love for each other. Their relationship overcame many obstacles of the time and they were physically separated for nearly three years after leaving the homeland. They became immigrants in Canada—a place where the author found themselves born and raised, being something that they are grateful for yet fascinated to reflect on the history of how it happened.
Weaving a wonderful tale of the struggles and triumphs as well as the rich Portuguese culture of their ancestry, the book follows their grandfather, Vovô, who was the impetus for life in the New World. Embarking on the journey of lifetime, they carried out a mission guided by true love to carve out a fighting chance for the future of his family.
The author speaks on various characteristics embodied and behavioural traits that have shaped their sense of self today while forging a deep connection with their ancestors. Understanding more about themselves than anticipated along the way to show that it really is all in the family. The history that behooves us has been set out for those with the privilege to continue down the path—a sentiment that the author draws out with great detail. Their descriptions of events set the scene to take the reader back in time.
Book Information
Release Date: January 18, 2022
Publisher: Independent
Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1777996611; 197 pages; $18.99; eBook $4.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3IsJSSC
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NUhMAB
No comments:
Post a Comment