James Pierre Talks About the Success of his Novel Gambino: The Rise ⁠ ⁠

 

Having my book optioned by a major production company is a dream come true. As a writer, you write for yourself, because you can’t help yourself. The characters chatter endlessly in your mind, begging you to bring their stories to life on the page. So you do, but almost entirely as a means of quieting the voices. You hope—but never really think—that others will find your characters as intriguing and engaging as you did. So, when in fact others do, it’s a validating feeling. 

Available on Amazon 

Ken Atchity was the first person to believe in me and in Carlo Gambino, the main character in my book, Gambino: The Rise. Before Ken, I felt like I was the only person that was interested in crime boss Carlo Gambino and his organization, the Gambino Family. Ken opened my eyes to the fact that the general public might be just as interested in the Gambinos as I was. And he was right. Years after publishing the book with Story Merchant, renown Hollywood producer Julius Nasso expressed interest in the novel, and here we are today. On the precipice of a great achievement—and what is every writer’s dream—to see their book turned into a movie. I cannot thank Ken and Julius enough for this opportunity. It validates  the many years of research—and long hours in front of my keyboard—that went into bringing Gambino and his world to life. I pray that we see this film project all the way through, so that the world will get to meet and fall in love with Carlo Gambino, just as I did. 

And to all of the aspiring writers out there: never give up on your characters. Listen to them. Then breathe life into them, on the page. And then find a literary agent who believes in them as much as you do, and chances are, at some point, if you remain patient and committed to the process, your characters and their stories will be introduced to the rest of the world, for everyone to enjoy.

 

James E. Pierre

Story Merchant E-Book Deal FREE June 24 - June 28 Gambino: The Rise by James Pierre

 

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Fleeing a murder charge in his native homeland of Palermo, Sicily, in Italy, young Carlo Gambino finds refuge in the United States of America. It is the Roaring Twenties, and New York is a melting pot of decadence and excess. As well as unprecedented violence. The
Volstead Act creates a new and booming black market for booze, one which gangsters of all denominations seek to control.

The Rise will hook readers from the first page to the very last, and its violent, colorful cast of characters will continue to enthrall the imagination of readers long after the book has been put down. Strap in for this bumpy and brutal ride through America’s Age of
Prohibition, where gangsters roamed free and lived by their own code of honor—and blood.

All in the pursuit of the American Dream!

Veteran Hollywood multi-hyphenate George Gallo (“Bad Boys,” “The Comeback Trail”) is attached to direct “Gambino,” a high-end biopic about organized crime boss Carlo Gambino that Gallo is co-writing with two-time Oscar winner Nick Vallelonga (“Green Book”). Julius Nasso producing with Ken Atchity (EP).

Ken Atchity Discusses Author James Pierre's Gambino: The Rise on David Meltzer's Office Hours

 

Story Merchant Author's Gangbuster's Crime Novel To Be Produced in New Deal That Sees Director George Gallo and "Green Book" Co-Writer Nick Vallelonga Attached.

James Pierre’s Novel GAMBINO: THE RISE Signed as Italian Film with George Gallo Directing

LOS ANGELES, CA—Story Merchant Books reports that an Italian film based on James Pierre’s Gambino: The Rise was announced by veteran producer Jules Nasso at the Cannes Film Festival. The film will be directed by George Gallo (Bad Boys, The Comeback Trail) who is scripting it with two-time Oscar winner Nick Vallelonga (Green Book).

Pierre’s novel dramatizes the history of the Cosa Nostra, beginning with its roots in Italy and the organizing role played by Carlo Gambino, its boss from 1957 until his death in bed in 1976 in his Long Island home. Gambino was reputed to be the inspiration for Mario Puzo’s The Godfather. In the novel, Gambino carries a copy of Nicolo Machiavelli’s The Prince with him on the boat from Italy.

Story Merchant/Atchity Productions Ken Atchity, who introduced the book to Nasso, will serve as executive producer.

Vallelonga, speaking in Cannes, said that the approach he and Gallo are taking is not just that of a typical mob movie: “We’ve seen a lot of that. This is Shakespearean.” “Think Once Upon a Time in America,” said Nasso, whose start in the film business was as assistant to Sergio Leone. New York in the ‘50s and ‘70s will be reconstructed in Rome’s Cinecittà studios.

James commented: “What is every writer’s dream—to see their book turned into a movie validates the many years of research—and long hours in front of my keyboard—that went into bringing Gambino and his world to life. I listened to the characters, and they talked to me.”

Author James Pierre has also published How Did Warren Buffet Succeed, and is nearly finished with Gambino: The Triumph, his sequel to the Gambino saga. He was born and raised in Brooklyn where he witnessed as a teenager a Mafia hit that led him to a lifetime fascination with the Gambino family.

According to Variety, “the film is being produced by Nasso Productions (a Nasso-Zheng company) and fully financed by Edward Zeng and former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, with international sales handled by Minerva Pictures.”

Gambino: The Rise by James Pierre is available on Amazon

by NADINE MARITZ