ALEXANDRIA, VA – There’s a fun new podcast in town called, “Writa Writes and Reads.” Every Thursday morning for the rest of the year, Alexandria’s Rita Mattia will add a new episode, featuring a story she hope you’ll enjoy and maybe even talk about. All but a few have never been published before.
For those of you familiar with her book, “Trying Stuff”, this should be a delightful and welcome “next chapter.” If her writing is new to you, this is the perfect way to find out if you like it.
Like “Trying Stuff” — Rita Mattia’s published collection of short personal essays — Writa Writes and Reads moves agilely through 19th century Italy, 20th century New Jersey, and 21st century Maryland and Virginia. In both her first book and in these new stories read by the author, Mattia explores the Italian and the Irish immigrant experience, racism in America, growing up Catholic and her off-and-on struggles with mental illness. Though she often refers to them as “stories,” all are based on entirely true events in her life and the history of her family.
Her love of theater, music, and family relationships also shines through poignant, hilarious, and always bitingly honest tales. In other words, Rita Mattia never backs away from things that hurt — or those that make us laugh, often at Rita herself.
So, give a listen while you’re out for your walk (or whatever) — and let her know what you think.
You can find “Writa Writes and Reads” on just about any device at https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1276346
