Iona College alumnus Andrew Chapin’s dream of being an author came true when he got the chance to publish his first book, “From Tragedy to Triumph: The Story of John Tartaglio.”

In an interview with Chapin, The Ionian discovers more about his first published book and a young adult novel that he is currently editing.

Ionian: What was your inspiration for becoming a writer?

Andrew: Growing up in Long Island by Jones Beach, I was a big Walt Whitman fan. I always loved reading coming of age novels like “The Catcher in the Rye” and “The Outsiders” –something always struck me about stories like that. My ninth-grade teacher actually urged me to pursue my writing.

I: Being that you were passionate for fiction novels, what made you interested in nonfiction stories/writing?

A: I developed an interest in nonfiction when I attended Fairfield University as an undergrad. It was there that I joined Fairfield’s newspaper, The Mirror, and developed a love for news. I loved that there were features, news about people and the objectivity of news in general. I also ran a weekly column, Chattin with Chapin.

I: Was “From Tragedy to Triumph: The Story of John Tartaglio” your first published book?

A: Yes. The book is about John Tartaglio, who contracted a rare bacterial infection when he was 17 and led him to become a double-leg amputee, but how he never gave up on his life.

I: How were you able to write John’s story?

A: I knew John from Fairfield. We actually ran into each other at Fairfield’s library –we were both doing research and he asked if I could help him write his story. He knew my writing style because I’ve written about him for the athletics section of The Mirror when we were both undergrads. I helped him get a voice and he gave me the opportunity to become a published author.

I: Did Iona help foster any writing skills that you did not already possess?

A: Yes, while I was attending grad school to earn my MSEd in adolescent English education, Dr. Hugh Short really helped me become a better writer while allowing me to recognize my faults. Dr. Paul Beaudin, my education professor, was candid and honest about my talents and attributes. He enabled me to see that I can always be a success and taught me how to write in a distinct matter.

I: Tell us more about the status of “Knowing when you’re too young to grow up.”

A: This is my young adult coming of age novel that started off as a journal my freshman year of college. It takes place with the protagonist, Andrew Chapin, at the end of his high school career when he’s about to go on a trip abroad. The book follows the development of Andrew and what he learns about his friends and himself. Philip Roth inspired me to give the main character my own name –this will make people think about how much of it was actually real.

I: What advice can you give to any aspiring writers or authors at Iona?

A: It sounds cliché, but write! Some people are so afraid of criticism and rejection, but it’s something that’s necessary. No one likes to be told they aren’t as good as they thought they were, but you never realize what needs to be fixed until you do it; there’s always something to improve.