IT’S OCTOBER-WEEN BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER BLOCK PARTY!

Banner for October-Ween Book, Blog & Trailer Block Party sponsored by Rave Reviews Book Club

Hi and “WELCOME” to Rave Reviews Book Club’s OCTOBER-WEEN BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER BLOCK PARTY at Fiora Books!

Here’s What I’m Giving Away Today!

One $10 Amazon Gift Card

# of Winners For This Stop: ONE

The lucky winner is Jennie Fitzkee!

My name is John Fioravanti and I am a writer – among other things! I am also a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club and RWISA. To date, my wife, Anne, and I have self-published four of my books through our publishing company that we named Fiora Books. What follows is a showcase of my first offering to the literary world.

Partners in love and in business.

My First Book: A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching

Trailer created by 4 Wills Publishing
Back Cover Blurb:

This is a story about decency, family politics, family, fear, and triumph.

Teaching is the canvas but the portrait is so much richer and more colourful. This book will capture and absorb you. Fear of failure is a powerful motivator and as John Fioravanti battles and defeats his demons you will find yourself cheering for him as if he were contesting a sporting event.

Teaching is not a discipline confined to schools, and the lessons in this book about planning, listening, empathizing and sympathizing have applicability to all professions and walks of life − from a police lieutenant training officers to a sales manager teaching sales representatives and everything else in between.

John Fioravanti shaped, elevated, and improved the lives of thousands of young people. After you’ve read this short story, you’ll be fulfilled and uplifted.

John signing a book for his mother at the book launch event.
Signing a book for my Mom. I was so happy to have her there for the launch of my first book!
Background Story:

Near the end of my teaching career, Kenneth Tam, a former student and friend, visited me at St. David Catholic Secondary School at the end of the school day. He and his parents had created their own company to publish his novels and those of his mother. Kenneth asked me to author an inspirational book for them about my career in the classroom. I felt honoured to be asked yet perplexed as to how to approach this project.

After some soul searching, I proposed that I write honestly about my journey in struggling to become the teacher I wanted to be when I decided to enter the profession. Thus, the project became autobiographical in nature as I talked about growing up and identifying the factors that led me to the momentous decision to teach. The story follows the ups and downs I experienced and reveals the demons that drove me on for thirty-five years.

John Fioravanti reading an excerpt from "Journey" at the book launch.
Reading an excerpt the night of the book launch in the library of St. David Catholic Secondary School where I taught

After the book was launched, one of my colleagues shared with me that he thought the book was very personal – in a tone that expressed surprise and perhaps some disapproval. I smiled and pointed out that this was the purpose of the book and that’s why we inserted the word “personal” in the title.

Among my intended audiences were people thinking about entering the profession and those who were in preparatory studies, as well as rookie teachers. I hoped the book would give them the courage to pursue a great vocation. It wasn’t long before one of these people gave me her feedback.

I was walking along a hallway in our school heading for the Staff Room when I was stopped by a young lady who was supply teaching at our school that day. She had a copy of my book on top of the stack of books she carried in her arms in front of her. She thanked me profusely for writing the book and claimed that it was just what she needed to quell the panic she felt every day in the classroom. Then she hurried off to her next class. I felt so humbled by this experience. Even if no one else read this book, I could retire a happy man!

Available at:

Amazon.ca / Amazon.com / Indigo Books

Author: John Fioravanti

I'm a retired History teacher (35 years), husband, father of three, grandfather of three. My wife, Anne, and I became business partners in December 2013 and launched our own publishing company, Fiora Books (http://fiorabooks.com), to publish my books. We have been married since 1973 and hope our joint business venture will be as successful as our marriage.

50 thoughts on “IT’S OCTOBER-WEEN BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER BLOCK PARTY!”

  2. Powerful, John! I loved this deeply moving post. I believe teaching is a calling, and you left an important mark on both students and fellow teachers. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks, Jennie! We think alike when it comes to our teaching profession. I’m so happy that you continue to positively influence youngsters in your school! I appreciate your support here.

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  5. Hi John. What a wonderful tribute to your writing from the young teacher. You are right. After that you could retire. But we hope you won’t!! I am sure there are many wonderful books waiting for you to write them. Cheers.

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  7. Thank you, John, for sharing this very personal journey. I absolutely love the picture of your mom at your first book signing. I know she must have been so proud! The other thing that struck me is in the book trailer video where it talks about what you taught the students, but also what they taught you! Love it!

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    1. Thanks, Jan! You know, I never saw myself as an excellent teacher because I always saw the flaws in myself and my work and focused too much on them. But my students taught me some important lessons! I appreciate your support!

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    1. Yes, Wendy, that was a lovely shock that I wasn’t expecting. I think when people are entering a new endeavour and are stressed about it, I’d like to think that shared common experience with a veteran can help to manage that stress – to keep it in perspective. Thanks for your support, Wendy!

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  12. Hi, John! I taught high school for twenty years before moving to middle school, where I’ve been for 4 years now. I’ve read Passion & Struggle and Treachery & Triumph (loved both of them), and I have A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching on my kindle. I plan to read it soon. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Yes, I’m sure we have much in common, Yvette. Teaching is a wonderful profession and it is quite draining. Thanks for your support. I hope you enjoy my Journey in the classroom.

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  17. Hi John. The best compliment in the world is to hear someone say you influenced them in some way. I know exactly how that feels in other aspects of my life. Nice post!

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    1. Thanks a lot, Cassidy. Yes, I agree, and Ontario had a Premier back in the 90s who declared war on teachers claiming we were underworked and overpaid. To add insult to injury, he appointed a grade 10 dropout to be his Minister of Education. You can bet I had a field day with that in my senior classes!

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  20. I have always felt that teaching is a calling, not a job. You clearly see it that way too. I never taught at the high school level–always at the university level. I still get emails and letters from former students who tell me how I impacted their professional careers as journalists. Teachers DO impact their students in myriad ways, often in ways, we as teachers are not even aware of. Great post, John.

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    1. Thanks, John. Although I didn’t know this young teacher, she was part of my target audience. So her feedback was so meaningful for me. I appreciate your support today.

      Liked by 1 person

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  23. Great post, John. I love that the young girl let you know what your book meant to her. I can’t think of anything more inspiring and humbling for a writer to have that experience.

    Liked by 2 people

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