Guelph author published in hit book series, Chicken Soup for the Soul

GUELPH – Joanne Guidoccio has launched a second career for herself as a writer.

Now retired, Guidoccio was a high school teacher from 1988 to 2008, teaching mathematics, computer science and co-operative education at St. James Catholic High School.

After three decades, she took advantage of her early retirement and began writing articles, novels and short stories.

Her recent story Worth a Try was selected as one of the 101 tales in the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology series.

“In the story I share the toastmaster experiences that helped shake up my retirement and motivate me to launch a second act as a writer,” Guidoccio told the Advertiser in an email.

For those who may not know, toastmasters is an educational program designed to fine tune one’s public speaking, communication and leadership skills through regular practice.

The book urges its readers to “try new things, overcome your fears and broaden your world,” in the hopes one will feel empowered, emboldened and energized “when you just say yes.”

Guidoccio has been published online, in newspapers and magazines. She is the author of six novels and writes mysteries, paranormal romances and inspirational literature from her home.

An excerpt from her story, “Each morning, I faced the tyranny of the blank page. Everything was in place – business cards, a new computer, and dreams of a runaway bestseller.

“Unfortunately, my underdeveloped writing muscles refused to cooperate.”

A fellow writer told Guidoccio she needed to “shake up her life,” and that is exactly what she did.

Just Say Yes is available in both eBook and paperback formats and can be purchased at Indigo, Bookshelf and Amazon.