Karen Cioffi has had an assortment of jobs; none of them she says has influenced or inspired her writing. What gives Cioffi’s writing a ‘kick in the pants’ was having to go on disability due to Multiple Sclerosis.
Karen Cioffi is an advocate of education, reading, and the environment. She loves how reading can spark a child’s imagination and bring him or her to new worlds and on amazing adventures. Along with writing children’s books, Karen is a ghostwriter and freelance writer, and has several nonfiction books on writing and book marketing.
“I’ve been writing since I was in grade school. I’m not sure what inspired me; it was just in me to want to write. I think this is the case with most writers, whether authors or professional writers,” shared Cioffi.
Her most recently released book, Walking Through Walls, is a children’s middle-grade fantasy adventure published by 4RV Publishing. It’s based on an ancient Chinese tale and set in 16th century China. The protagonist is a 12-year-old boy who wants to be rich and powerful. He already knows more about the Eternals and their way of life than many of the adults in his village. Learning about these mystics takes his thoughts away from the possibility of working in the wheat fields all his life, like his father. There are actually a few subtle messages in this book. The most important one may be that with the right guidance and hard work, we can see beyond ourselves and build inner strength and character.
The book’s theme fits right in with two of Cioffi’s favorite sayings: the American proverb “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”; and, in accordance with M. Ghandi, “Be the change you want to see in the world."