About Rita

      Hi There. I'm glad you stopped by. Here are some things I'd like you to know about me.

      I live in Queens, New York and I'm a  writer, book reviewer and storyteller. Check out my Events page for my storytelling gigs.

      I began my diverse career as an interior designer and for 20 years I was the coordinator of the Design/Decorating Certificate Program at Queensborough Community College. I taught at Queensborough till Covid hit then switched to Zoom classes,  adding creative writing and memoir. 

       When I was interviewed on Morgen Bailey's, Author Spotlight I talked about the similarities between writing and interior design. 

     "Writing is another form of design. In rooms, you put fabrics and furnishings together, aiming for that perfect note of color, texture and scale.  Everything arranged in a way that instantly strikes the eye as a  balanced whole. Writing  is similar, except that instead of objects, you put people and plot together to create that balance.  A world made with words. 

    My first novel, "Lily Steps Out,” was twelve years in the making and earned “Published & Proud,” a feature article in Newsday’s Act II, followed by “Rita Steps Out,” in the Times Ledger. My short stories and essay have been published in numerous journals, in print and on line. 

      I not only write books, I review them, and I've been the book reviewer for Fire Island News--now Fire Island and Great South Bay News--since 2015.

     As a speaker, I  present on decorative arts, and Coco Chanel ~ The Woman-The Legend ~ at libraries and for organizations.  

     I 've been on blog talk radio and read a segment from my short story collection, “Alterations”  on "The Author's Corner" for Public Radio. I guested on "The  Writer's Dream," LTV, and Curtis Sliwa’s “Live at Five” show.

     Take a look at my work on the following pages.