An Italian Summer
Gender identity. Puberty. Italia '90. Memoir./The Italian Saga/Book 2
with Gaia B Amman (Narrator)
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Pub Date May 5 2026 | Archive Date Apr 19 2026
ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Kuki Publishing
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Description
"A lush, evocative self-contained novel in The Italian Saga—perfect for fans of I'll Give You the Sun or Call Me By Your Name."
Italy, 1990. Eleven-year-old Lee (Leda Balni) feels like one of the guys, but puberty demands she be a girl. As World Cup fever sweeps the nation, Lee navigates a nonsensical (and mediocre) performance of girlhood complicated by a first crush. Following the "astute and affecting" (Kirkus) debut of The Italian Saga, this sequel (which can be read as a standalone) is a vibrant, funny yet poignant dive into puberty, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness.
Advance Praise
“Astute and affecting…” Kirkus Reviews
“Evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of Italy. I look forward to reading the next book and another chapter in Leda’s life.” Lynda Dickson—Books Direct
“This book was amazing! I couldn't put it down! I would recommend this to anyone.” Tori Hoffert
Marketing Plan
MARKETING & PUBLICITY PLAN:
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN:
• Multi-Platform Launch: Active promotion to a combined following on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, featuring "behind-the-scenes" content from the author, cover reveal, and book quotes.
• Video Content: A series of high-engagement Reels and TikToks highlighting the book’s "Nonbinary Anne of Green Gables" hook.
• Influencer Outreach: ARCs being sent to key BookTok and Bookstagram influencers focusing on LGBTQ+ history and #OwnVoices narratives.
ADVERTISING & VISIBILITY:
• Google ads and Amazon Marketing Services: Targeted campaigns.
• Newsletter Outreach: Features in monthly author-collective newsletters reaching over 1,000 subscribers interested in literary and diverse fiction.
• Digital Pre-order Campaign: Currently live across major retailers with a dedicated landing page for "The Italian Saga."
PUBLICITY & MEDIA:
• Own Voices Advocacy: Author-led discussions on growing up nonbinary in 1980s Italy, positioned for podcasts and literary blogs focusing on gender and resilience.
• Series Potential: Though the novel could be read as a standalone, this is Volume 2 of The Italian Saga, with a long-term marketing strategy to build a dedicated readership for the full series (eight volumes already completed and ready for publication).
TARGET READERSHIP:
• Readers of literary coming-of-age stories like The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
• The LGBTQ+ community, looking for historical representation beyond the standard tropes and emotional, humorous reads similar to I'll Give You the Sun.
• Librarians and educators looking for diverse "Own Voices" stories set in 20th-century Europe.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781971429014 |
| PRICE | $4.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 220 |