BIOGRAPHY

     WELCOME TO THE ARCADE is a prequel to my first novel TWO NICKELS. The story follows Johnny and his best friends as they move through the kaleidoscope of childhood through the triumphs and challenges of late adolescence. WELCOME TO THE ARCADE introduces new characters, but also brings back Ralphie, Johnny’s best friend from high school, Dinino, the mysterious owner of the arcade, and the indomitable spirit of Mary the Blonde, Johnny’s grandmother, among other characters from TWO NICKELS.

     Both novels are about everything that keeps the world spinning for me: music, food, wine, the occasional rye Manhattan, literature, NYC, friends and, at the top of the list, family. And the one theme that’s at the heart of whatever I write. It comes from what I’ve learned through my own experiences, especially the years that I’ve spent in the classroom teaching my students, who, like all of us, have already had their share of ups and downs. It’s the idea that, no matter how hard we try to hide them, our best selves never truly go away. They’re buried deep under layers of regret, bad decisions, missed opportunities, frustration, grief, and just plain terrible luck. But sometimes all it takes is one person to come along who believes in us enough to see our potential. And, once that happens, we can take a few baby steps, turn our faces to the sun, and start growing up all over again.

Enjoy the books! And salute to second chances!

- Michael F. DeConzo

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