Exclusive Interview With Author "Italia Tornabene"
- Writer's Life
- 15 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Italia Tornabene is a best-selling author, entrepreneur and strategist known for her gripping storytelling and empowering narratives. From building multiple businesses to dominating the literary world, she brings real-world experience to her writing, crafting complex characters that blend strength, allure, and intelligence. Femme Fatale: Shades of Retribution is the latest in her compelling collection of works, drawing readers into a world where power, passion and danger collide.
She recently sat down with Writer’s Life Magazine to discuss her new book, her journey as a writer and more!
Tell us a bit about your background and career.
My journey has been anything but conventional. I went from being a homeless single mother at 16 to building multiple successful businesses, including paralegal firms, a cleaning company with major contracts, and now, Tornabene Wine. I’ve also written several books, launched a nonprofit for entrepreneurial single mothers and stepped into the world of public speaking and storytelling. I believe every scar has a story, and every struggle can be transformed into strength. My life is living proof of that.
Tell us about your upcoming book Femme Fatale: Shades of Retribution.
Femme Fatale is a raw, thrilling and emotional ride inspired by true events. It follows Italia Rossi, a seductive assassin who uses her power, pain and past to take justice into her own hands. The book is filled with revenge, romance, and resilience—wrapped in suspense and styled with cinematic flair. It’s not just fiction—it’s a reflection of real-life betrayal, survival and the hunger for retribution.
What was your impetus for writing your book?
This book was born from a place of pain and power. A very personal and traumatic experience involving someone close to me needed to be told, not just to expose the darkness, but to shed light on the strength that comes from reclaiming your story. Writing it became a form of therapy, but more importantly, a way to stand in my truth and help others feel seen.
The book is based on a true story, your personal life with a close friend, was it hard to relive that?
Yes. Extremely. Some chapters brought tears, others brought rage, and a few reminded me just how far I’ve come. When you relive trauma in writing, it’s like reopening a wound; but this time, you get to clean it out, stitch it up and turn the scar into something beautiful. That’s what Femme Fatale became for me.
What advice would you give to women who are struggling and feeling hopeless?
Don’t give up. Even if the world has turned its back on you, YOU don’t turn your back on YOU. You’re not broken -- you’re becoming. The pain you feel today might be building the woman who will inspire millions tomorrow. You don’t have to know how everything will work out, you just have to keep going.
What are the messages you want readers to take away from reading your work?
That survival is just the beginning. You’re allowed to rise, rebuild and be unstoppable. I want readers to feel empowered, to know their story isn’t over and that revenge doesn’t always have to be violent -- it can be living well, healing fully and succeeding wildly.
Why did you feel it was important to tell this story?
Because silence protects predators. And because women need to see examples of fierce, feminine power that isn’t watered down. I wanted to tell a story that blends elegance with vengeance, beauty with brutality and shows that redemption is always possible.
You’re a very busy person—writing, running a successful wine company, mother, etc. -- what do you like to do in your spare time when you have it?
Spare time is rare, but when I do get it, I love a quiet glass of wine by the window, writing for pleasure instead of deadlines, and spending time with my son. I also recharge through fitness, weightlifting clears my mind. And when I really want to unwind, I retreat into nature or travel to someplace peaceful and beautiful.
What are you working on now and what can we expect from you next?
I’m expanding my wine label, Tornabene Wine, with new SKUs and launching a limited-edition dessert wine. My nonprofit, EmpowerHer Journey, is also growing and helping single mothers launch businesses. I’m writing part two of my autobiography, Stilettos, Sins, and Secrets, and in talks for adapting my books into screenplays. So yes—more books, more wine and more empowerment are all coming!
Where can people find out more about you and your work?
You can visit my websites: www.TornabeneWine.com for my wine brand www.italiatornabene.com for my books and author journey
Or follow me on Instagram @ItaliaTornabene for real-time updates, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes of everything I’m building.