Lisa Montanaro
@lisamontanaro.bsky.social
Native NYer in NorCal. Author, Speaker, Lawyer, Webinar Host for Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). Debut novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, released 1/27/25 by Red Adept Publishing. Proud daughter of gay father. 🏳️🌈 www.linktr.ee/lisamontanaro
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Lisa Montanaro
@lisamontanaro.bsky.social
· Feb 10
What a father-daughter moment to hand my dad my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, inspired by his life as a formerly-closeted gay man. My book features a family from 1960s to 2015 dealing with the father’s secret. Sad that it’s now historic and timely as LGBTQ+ rights are under attack today. 🏳️🌈
Stories on Stage in Davis, CA will feature my novel, Everything We Thought Was True, on 12/14 from 4-6 PM at Sudwerks Brewery, with scenes performed by actress Lori Russo. Free admission, but donations to Stories on Stage appreciated. Beer/drinks/food & copies of my novel available for purchase.
November 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Stories on Stage in Davis, CA will feature my novel, Everything We Thought Was True, on 12/14 from 4-6 PM at Sudwerks Brewery, with scenes performed by actress Lori Russo. Free admission, but donations to Stories on Stage appreciated. Beer/drinks/food & copies of my novel available for purchase.
Well this made my day!! 🙏🏼❤️
Such an honor to win Best New Fiction/Debut for my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, from the 2025 American Writing Awards. What a meaningful recognition for the book of my heart.
Congrats to all the winners! 🏆
Such an honor to win Best New Fiction/Debut for my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, from the 2025 American Writing Awards. What a meaningful recognition for the book of my heart.
Congrats to all the winners! 🏆
November 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Well this made my day!! 🙏🏼❤️
Such an honor to win Best New Fiction/Debut for my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, from the 2025 American Writing Awards. What a meaningful recognition for the book of my heart.
Congrats to all the winners! 🏆
Such an honor to win Best New Fiction/Debut for my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, from the 2025 American Writing Awards. What a meaningful recognition for the book of my heart.
Congrats to all the winners! 🏆
So excited to be on panel in San Francisco tonight after screening of new movie Fairyland, produced by Sofia Coppolla based on memoir by Alysia Abbott. Alysia and I both wrote books about being the daughter of gay fathers who came out decades ago. Looking forward to launching this movie into world!
October 12, 2025 at 5:34 PM
So excited to be on panel in San Francisco tonight after screening of new movie Fairyland, produced by Sofia Coppolla based on memoir by Alysia Abbott. Alysia and I both wrote books about being the daughter of gay fathers who came out decades ago. Looking forward to launching this movie into world!
Goodreads Giveaway for EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE closes on Oct 10! Still time to enter to win signed paperback. www.goodreads.com/book/show/22... Good luck! 🙌 “A beautiful coming-into-your-own identity story told from the point of view of a young woman and her parents." — Amazon 5-Star Review.
October 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Goodreads Giveaway for EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE closes on Oct 10! Still time to enter to win signed paperback. www.goodreads.com/book/show/22... Good luck! 🙌 “A beautiful coming-into-your-own identity story told from the point of view of a young woman and her parents." — Amazon 5-Star Review.
What a blast doing Sacramento Cycling Century Challenge! 63 miles of fantastic cycling past sites. Gorgeous views, perfect weather, time with great friends, ample food on course and after party, and friendly cyclists. All for good cause—Sacramento Children’s Home Crisis Nursery program.
October 6, 2025 at 11:15 PM
What a blast doing Sacramento Cycling Century Challenge! 63 miles of fantastic cycling past sites. Gorgeous views, perfect weather, time with great friends, ample food on course and after party, and friendly cyclists. All for good cause—Sacramento Children’s Home Crisis Nursery program.
Hey book lovers, feeling lucky? My novel has Goodreads Giveaway until Oct. 10! Enter to win signed copy of EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. www.goodreads.com/book/show/22... A father’s hidden truth. A mother’s desperate wish. A daughter caught in between. “This Is Us” fans 📺, you’ll love this novel!
October 6, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Hey book lovers, feeling lucky? My novel has Goodreads Giveaway until Oct. 10! Enter to win signed copy of EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. www.goodreads.com/book/show/22... A father’s hidden truth. A mother’s desperate wish. A daughter caught in between. “This Is Us” fans 📺, you’ll love this novel!
Guess who's having a GOODREADS GIVEAWAY for their novel? Enter to win a signed copy of EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Spread the word & tell your bookish friends. Giveaway open to US only until 10/10. If you loved the TV show This Is Us, you'll be captivated by this multigenerational family drama.
September 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Guess who's having a GOODREADS GIVEAWAY for their novel? Enter to win a signed copy of EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Spread the word & tell your bookish friends. Giveaway open to US only until 10/10. If you loved the TV show This Is Us, you'll be captivated by this multigenerational family drama.
When your novel has made it into Top 100 Best Sellers on Amazon and sits next to books by some of your favorite authors! Wow, I know this will be fleeting moment, but I'm going to enjoy it. Everything We Thought Was True, has hit top 100 in LGBTQ+ Fiction and Marriage & Divorce Fiction. So exciting!
August 5, 2025 at 1:57 AM
When your novel has made it into Top 100 Best Sellers on Amazon and sits next to books by some of your favorite authors! Wow, I know this will be fleeting moment, but I'm going to enjoy it. Everything We Thought Was True, has hit top 100 in LGBTQ+ Fiction and Marriage & Divorce Fiction. So exciting!
I am so excited because the e-book version of my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, is on sale for only $.99 from August 2–6. Grab it for less than the cost of a cappuccino! www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM9NXMSW
August 2, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I am so excited because the e-book version of my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE, is on sale for only $.99 from August 2–6. Grab it for less than the cost of a cappuccino! www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM9NXMSW
Delighted to be guest on Authors Talking Bookish Podcast with hosts Donna Carbone & Hope Gibbs. We discussed my Italian American culture and how it influenced my novel, LGBTQ rights, POV, showing vs. telling, and what I learned hard way on this journey. Listen in! podcasts.apple.com/.../authors....
July 2, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Delighted to be guest on Authors Talking Bookish Podcast with hosts Donna Carbone & Hope Gibbs. We discussed my Italian American culture and how it influenced my novel, LGBTQ rights, POV, showing vs. telling, and what I learned hard way on this journey. Listen in! podcasts.apple.com/.../authors....
When your amazing audiobook narrator includes your novel in a Pride Month book round up. 🙏🏼❤️🏳️🌈 Thank you, Annalee Scott, for bringing the Antinori family’s story to life in EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE.
July 1, 2025 at 5:40 AM
When your amazing audiobook narrator includes your novel in a Pride Month book round up. 🙏🏼❤️🏳️🌈 Thank you, Annalee Scott, for bringing the Antinori family’s story to life in EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE.
Thrilled to see my personal essay published with @womenwriters.bsky.social It’s an homage to my father, who inspired my debut novel. Everything We Thought Was True is an LGBTQ+ family story that spans generations, showing how far we’ve come, courage it took to get there, and dangers of going back.
When Your Father Reads Your Novel Inspired by his Life by Lisa Montanaro booksbywomen.org/when-your-fa... @lisamontanaro.bsky.social
When Your Father Reads Your Novel Inspired by his Life - Women Writers, Women's Books
By Lisa Montanaro My father doesn’t really read. Well, okay, he reads boating magazines and car manuals, but not books. Certainly not novels. And yet, when I received the publishing deal for my debut ...
booksbywomen.org
June 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Thrilled to see my personal essay published with @womenwriters.bsky.social It’s an homage to my father, who inspired my debut novel. Everything We Thought Was True is an LGBTQ+ family story that spans generations, showing how far we’ve come, courage it took to get there, and dangers of going back.
Wow thank you for this awesome review! So glad you enjoyed my novel so much. Thank you for reading and going on an emotional journey with the Antinori family. Given the current backlash we’re experiencing in the U.S against LGBTQ+ families, their story is, sadly, now both historic and timely.
Everything We Thought Was True by @lisamontanaro.bsky.social is an impressive debut!
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Melissa's review of Everything We Thought Was True
5/5: I am completely impressed by Lisa Montanaro's debut novel! I had been wanting to read it ever since hearing about it and I am so glad I did! It has a This is Us feel in some ways. It's mainly the...
www.goodreads.com
June 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Wow thank you for this awesome review! So glad you enjoyed my novel so much. Thank you for reading and going on an emotional journey with the Antinori family. Given the current backlash we’re experiencing in the U.S against LGBTQ+ families, their story is, sadly, now both historic and timely.
“Congratulations, you’re a Finalist in the 19th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards!” How wonderful that my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, was named a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards in the LGBTQIA Fiction category. What an honor! 🙏🏼🥰
June 19, 2025 at 3:47 PM
“Congratulations, you’re a Finalist in the 19th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards!” How wonderful that my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, was named a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards in the LGBTQIA Fiction category. What an honor! 🙏🏼🥰
When you show up for Sacramento Pride wearing your awesome new shirt that says More Pride, Less Prejudice, channeling Jane Austen… and get visited at your table by someone wearing it in different color. Twinsies! Sac Pride was a beautiful outpouring of community support and a celebration of love! 🏳️🌈
June 19, 2025 at 5:14 AM
When you show up for Sacramento Pride wearing your awesome new shirt that says More Pride, Less Prejudice, channeling Jane Austen… and get visited at your table by someone wearing it in different color. Twinsies! Sac Pride was a beautiful outpouring of community support and a celebration of love! 🏳️🌈
Let the Pride festivities begin! 🏳️🌈 I’m participating as an author with Queer Sacramento Authors Collective at Davis, CA Pridefest on Saturday, June 7. QSAC includes LGBTQ+ authors and books with LGBTQ+ characters. I’ll be there with copies of my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Come say hi!
June 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Let the Pride festivities begin! 🏳️🌈 I’m participating as an author with Queer Sacramento Authors Collective at Davis, CA Pridefest on Saturday, June 7. QSAC includes LGBTQ+ authors and books with LGBTQ+ characters. I’ll be there with copies of my novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Come say hi!
Love joining book clubs via Zoom! Thank you for selecting my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True. I love how stories bring us together, no matter where we are in the world! ❤️ 📖
June 6, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Love joining book clubs via Zoom! Thank you for selecting my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True. I love how stories bring us together, no matter where we are in the world! ❤️ 📖
Bookish author event in NorCal! So excited that the Davis Public Library will be hosting me on Monday, June 23 at 6 PM for an author chat of my debut novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Come join me!
June 3, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Bookish author event in NorCal! So excited that the Davis Public Library will be hosting me on Monday, June 23 at 6 PM for an author chat of my debut novel, EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Come join me!
I’m excited to be one of 140 authors & bookstores exhibiting at the Sacramento Book Festival on Sat, May 31. Come by my table on north patio and say ciao! You can purchase a signed copy of my novel, Everything We Thought Was True. 10-4 at Shepard Arts Center in McKinley Park. Hope to see you there!
May 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I’m excited to be one of 140 authors & bookstores exhibiting at the Sacramento Book Festival on Sat, May 31. Come by my table on north patio and say ciao! You can purchase a signed copy of my novel, Everything We Thought Was True. 10-4 at Shepard Arts Center in McKinley Park. Hope to see you there!
What a thrill to get notified in Libby app that my novel has been added to a library. A few readers have asked if they should request their library carry EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Yes! This is great for an author! Not every person can buy every book. Reading should be accessible for everyone.
May 25, 2025 at 2:39 AM
What a thrill to get notified in Libby app that my novel has been added to a library. A few readers have asked if they should request their library carry EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT WAS TRUE. Yes! This is great for an author! Not every person can buy every book. Reading should be accessible for everyone.
Just finished doing virtual author visit with book club in NJ that read my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True. So cool to be in conversation with readers directly! Such a great discussion! Readers, do you like when authors do book club drop ins? Authors, do you like doing book club visits?
May 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Just finished doing virtual author visit with book club in NJ that read my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True. So cool to be in conversation with readers directly! Such a great discussion! Readers, do you like when authors do book club drop ins? Authors, do you like doing book club visits?
What a treat to present “Write What You Know: Memoirs, Novels, and Personal Essays” for writers last week at Bedford Books, a beautiful new indie bookstore in charming Bedford, NY. And great news—they have copies of my novel, Everything We Thought Was True, in stock, so head on over and grab one.
May 13, 2025 at 11:17 PM
What a treat to present “Write What You Know: Memoirs, Novels, and Personal Essays” for writers last week at Bedford Books, a beautiful new indie bookstore in charming Bedford, NY. And great news—they have copies of my novel, Everything We Thought Was True, in stock, so head on over and grab one.
You can go back home! Loved my author event at Harrison Public Library on May 3. A thrill to be back at library where Little Lisa used to borrow books. Thanks to moderator, Christine Adler, and friends, family, writers & readers who came to hear about my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True.
May 13, 2025 at 11:09 PM
You can go back home! Loved my author event at Harrison Public Library on May 3. A thrill to be back at library where Little Lisa used to borrow books. Thanks to moderator, Christine Adler, and friends, family, writers & readers who came to hear about my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True.
The audiobook version of my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, rereleased today! Narrator Annalee Scott is incredible. I get goosebumps listening to her bring the Antinori family’s emotional journey to life. Available on Audible, Libro & audio bookseller sites. tantor.com/everything-w...
May 13, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The audiobook version of my debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, rereleased today! Narrator Annalee Scott is incredible. I get goosebumps listening to her bring the Antinori family’s emotional journey to life. Available on Audible, Libro & audio bookseller sites. tantor.com/everything-w...