About The Author
Nicolò Mazza, now at Cal Poly SLO studying Agricultural Business, discovered his passion for writing in fifth grade, and has delighted in reading for as long as he can remember. The Forgotten Sword is his first published work and a true labor of love, release during his sophomore year of High School. In addition to writing, Nicolò has played water polo and will swim for Cal Poly’s club team. He has been playing the drums since the age of four, and will be forming a band to develop throughout his college career. His parents (in his childhood home) live in a small town in Northern California.
How I Began Writing
I was always a voracious reader during elementary and middle school. However, fifth grade was my golden year of reading, when I tackled the literary greatness of the following series: Harry Potter (JK Rowling), Heroes of Olympus (Rick Riordan), and Beyonders (Brandon Mull).
Fueled by a passion for the world of Fantasy, I embarked upon my own writing journey with no firm destination in sight, guided primarily by stream of consciousness. As my ideas began to flourish, a momentous achievement emerged from this process…. I found myself holding a first draft of a novel. My voyage as a storyteller had officially begun.
My Favorite Fantasy Book Series (and Inspiration)
Harry Potter
I’d be astonished if those of you reading this haven’t heard of Harry Potter. The meticulous craftsmanship of JK Rowling, her thoughtful approach to every scene, the depth of consideration poured into each book, and the enchantment of her characters are undeniably awe-inspiring. This outstanding collection holds its place as my all-time favorite series.
Beyonders
The Beyonders series by Brandon Mull is a timeless fantasy classic that's an absolute must-read. While Mull has crafted numerous other fantastic series, Beyonders holds a special place in my heart as a personal favorite. Its premise may be straightforward, but the way he skillfully weaves the narrative and character development is utterly captivating, making it an unmissable literary experience.
Heroes of Olympus
The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan exceeded my expectations. The way in which the author seamlessly switches between different character perspectives is beautifully showcased. Riordan skillfully fosters a deep attachment to each character, all while maintaining a high level of action in every novel.
Editing and Publishing
After completing my first draft, I went on to write successive drafts for the next few years. In the autumn of my eighth-grade year, I looked back on my old works, and decided to undertake the challenging task of editing and publishing my work. Fortunately, my parents were willing to support me in this, and together we set out out to find a local editor.
Our quest led us to a remarkable woman named Amanda Conran (known as the esteemed children’s author A. E. Conran), and over the course of a year and a half, we meticulously reviewed and thoroughly transformed the novel. In December 2021, I sought out the services of a cover design company and ultimately chose Damonza. Their exceptional work extended to both the cover design and the interior layout.
With the finishing touches complete, all that remained was publication. I opted to self-published through Ingram Spark, and my literary creation made its debut on April 10th, 2022.
This journey is far from over. The lessons I’ve learned throughout this process have equipped me with valuable tools and insights, and I aspire to craft more refined and polished works going forward, with the ultimate goal of delivering an enhanced reading experience to my dedicated readers.
Other Hobbies
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In the spring of 2022, I began dipping my toes into the world of competitive swimming as a member of the Saint Ignatius Swim Team. I found myself drawn to the challenge of long-distance races, particularly the 200 and 500 Free. These two events became my primary focus, though I also competed in relay races. It was a season of great growth and the result was best times and the incredible honor of receiving the Coaches’ Award.
During the 2023 Saint Ignatius swim season, I was named Varsity Team Co-Captain, and was presented with the Coaches’ Award for the second consecutive year.
I continue to hone my swimming skills at North Bay Aquatics.
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My journey in water polo commenced as I ventured into seventh grade. For two consecutive years, I donned the goalie cap at Tiburon Peninsula Club. However, as I progressed into high school, I transitioned to the field. During my three high school seasons, I played a wing/driver, contributing both on the 1-2 side and the 4-5 side.
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I began my drumming journey at the age of four, taking lessons at the local music store, The Magic Flute. It was there that I met Alan Schechner, who became the cornerstone of my musical education. To this day, I remain a loyal student, forever indebted to Alan for the wealth of musical wisdom he has imparted. Under his expert guidance, I have mastered countless songs by iconic 80s rock bands such as Rush, Boston, and Van Halen. As I entered high school, I became a member of the Saint Ignatius Jazz Band, and it was here that I began to explore a tapestry of musical styles.
SI Jazz Band Performance (April 28th 2022)
On April 28th, 2022, I performed in the SI Jazz Band as the drummer at our semesterly concert. In this video, we play Green Onions, by Booker T and the M.G.’s. There are multiple solos, including one by me towards the end of the song.
