Tuesday, December 30, 2008

"Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook"- 30 yrs from Pen to Publishing

The ANNOTICO Report

Lucille Campilongo penned an 85-page manuscript in two weeks in 1980 for her 19-year daughter Gina who was departing for her Junior year of college study in Italy. It was a helpful, non-intimidating note book featuring helpful household tips and over 30 authentic Italian recipes.

Gina not only made use of it during her Junior year, but in the 30 years since, and she felt it was so beneficial for anyone starting out on their own and having to fend for themselves, that she decided to share it with her freinds, and then to have it published. 

NBC's Today Show co-host, Meredith Vieira, had personally invited Lucille to join her for a live interview segment from the NBC studios in New York.The book has earned the "Rising Star" designation from Barnes and Noble, along with the coveted "Publisher's Choice" award from iUniverse.

Homemaker turned author featured on  NBC's Today Show

Forgotten Household Guide and Cookbook Published after Nearly 30 years


SAN RAFAEL, CA The old proverb says "Good things happen to those who wait." Today, California homemaker and recently published author, Lucille Campilongo, has to agree with the adage.

Campilongo was a featured guest on NBC's Today Show on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 to talk about a book she wrote nearly 30 years ago.

Campilongo, her daughter Gina Friedman and granddaughter Gianna Friedman, all residents of Northern California, were interviewed live by Today Show co-host Meredith Vieira about the publication of "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook," a helpful, non-intimidating book featuring helpful household tips and over 30 authentic Italian recipes.

The book was published in July 2008 and is available at bookstores and online for anyone - young or old - embarking on a new life of domestic independence.

Known affectionately as "Lucia" by family and close friends, Lucille Campilongo penned the original 85-page manuscript in two weeks in 1980 for her 19-year daughter Gina who was departing for a year of college study in Italy.

Lucille presented it at Gina's going-away party and completely forgot about it.

So, imagine Lucille's shock and surprise when it was presented to her on Mother's Day in 2008 as a published book entitled "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook."

"My daughter and son-in-law surprised me with a published version of a notebook I had written years ago for my daughter when she went to Italy for her junior year of college," said Campilongo.  "I was astounded that she was still using it, let alone having it published.  My daughter Gina felt it was beneficial for anyone starting out on their own and having to fend for themselves."

"It had a lot of helpful information, but I presented it to her as sort of a joke, too," said Campilongo. "I remember that everyone at her going away party laughed when Gina read the title aloud."

Lucille's shock and surprise turned to disbelief when informed that NBC's Today Show co-host, Meredith Vieira, had personally invited Lucille to join her for a live interview segment from the NBC studios in New York.

"I was so overwhelmed that this could happen," said Campilongo.  "It means so much to a mom to have this recognition.  I think every mom around the country would feel the same.  It really validates so much of what we do.  I just can't believe it"

Before the time when communications and information had leaped into the technological age, Campilongo's documentation of her many years as an enterprising and proficient homemaker and accomplished family cook was equally about giving her peace of mind, as it was to guide daughter Gina in everything from cleaning house to recreating easy, authentic Italian recipes.

"Being a typically concerned mother, whose daughter was leaving home for the first time, I decided to write some helpful hints and simple recipes that would not only benefit her, but also help calm my apprehensions," said Campilongo.

"We've had it for twenty-eight years and are still using it in our kitchen, as we try to recall the various ingredients of particular dishes," said Gina Campilongo-Friedman of San Rafael, today a wife and mother with her own daughter away at college and a son in high school.

"Last year, when it was time for our own daughter, Gianna, to leave for college, we realized that we were unable to pass down Lucia's wisdom without giving up our beloved handwritten book," said Campilongo-Friedman.

"We thought about making copies of the original manuscript, but not everyone could read Lucia's handwriting and it was so worn from constant use we decided it was best to preserve it the right way."

While recording the manuscript into the family computer, there was an epiphany.

"It occurred to us that if we were going to published it for our own children, why not publish it for everyone else who would need a practical helping hand setting up and maintaining a home and kitchen," said Campilongo-Friedman. "We realized that there are all types of people who might not have the skills to manage their own home or apartment."

Campilongo-Friedman and her family realized Lucia's guide was a helpful, non-intimidating book that could provide helpful household reference and delicious recipes for the novice cook.

"It was clearly time to publish it for the benefit of our children and anyone else needing practical tips, a helping hand in the kitchen and some basics for getting themselves started on their own," said Campilongo-Friedman.

Written in her words, "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook" transports Lucille Campilongo's voice and warm sense of humor to anyone needing or wishing they had a little motherly advice.  The book has earned the "Rising Star" designation from Barnes and Noble, along with the coveted "Publisher's Choice" award from iUniverse.

An ideal reference source for people in transition or for efficient tips on mastering household tasks, "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook" has stood the test of time.

For more information visit www.luciasbook.com
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 "Lucia's Survival Guide and Cookbook," published by iUniverse, is available for sale at Barnes and Noble and through most online booksellers, including Amazon.com

Lucille Campilongo was born in San Francisco and is a seasoned homemaker. Lucille and her husband, Victor, have three children.