Francesco Granieri
Writing & Speaking
Stories that heal. Words that resonate —
on the page and from the stage.
Francesco Granieri is an Italian-American author, speaker, and Emmy Award-winning creative whose work explores the intersections of resilience, identity, and healing. Raised in the suburbs of Atlantic City and shaped by a childhood marked by love, loss, and mental illness, Francesco has transformed personal adversity into powerful storytelling. A former public school teacher and Graphics Coordinator for ESPN/ABC, he brings a deeply human voice to everything he creates — from his memoir Pavarotti and Pancakes to his poetry collection Fumes. His style blends emotional honesty with wit, reflection, and a sincere desire to help others feel seen. Whether on the page or from the stage, Francesco’s message is clear: you are not alone, and your story has the power to heal.
Memoir.
Poetry.
The Stories That Shape Us.
Francesco Granieri’s writing invites readers into the heart of lived experience — raw, reflective, and deeply human. From the haunting beauty of Pavarotti and Pancakes, a memoir of family, mental illness, and resilience, to the lyrical depth of Fumes, his debut poetry collection, each work explores what it means to grow through pain and find meaning in the mess. These aren’t just stories — they’re emotional landmarks for anyone who’s ever carried silence, longed for connection, or searched for healing through words.
Pavarotti and Pancakes
A candid, yet genially rendered tale, of the struggles and victories of a young Italian-American, Francesco Granieri. A child of the 1980’s, Francesco grows-up amidst the erosion of a warm, embracing family, subject to the chilling grip of a tenacious villain that ultimately claims his mother—mental illness. Throughout this heartwarming memoir, Francesco’s loyalty and perseverance prevail as he takes readers on a romantic and riveting ride from the Jersey shore to the hallways of madness.
Pavarotti and Pancakes
A candid, yet genially rendered tale, of the struggles and victories of a young Italian-American, Francesco Granieri. A child of the 1980’s, Francesco grows-up amidst the erosion of a warm, embracing family, subject to the chilling grip of a tenacious villain that ultimately claims his mother—mental illness. Throughout this heartwarming memoir, Francesco’s loyalty and perseverance prevail as he takes readers on a romantic and riveting ride from the Jersey shore to the hallways of madness.
“Pavarotti and Pancakes,” the acclaimed memoir by Francesco Granieri, was honored with the First Prize for Memoir in the prestigious North Street Book Prize. This award recognizes outstanding self-published books, and Granieri’s deeply moving, brutally honest, and often humorous account of growing up in a tumultuous Italian-American family stood out among hundreds of entries.
Learn more about this award-winning memoir and what made it a standout selection.
Fumes: Inspired Poetry
Fumes is a powerful collection of 101 poems by Francesco Granieri, born from his first foray into writing during a tumultuous summer in 1997 as he grappled with the heartache of his mother’s incarceration. Serving as a companion to his award-winning memoir Pavarotti and Pancakes, this debut poetry book captures the raw emotion and vivid storytelling of his Italian-American family’s complex history in Atlantic City. Inspired by literary icons like Pablo Neruda, Bruce Springsteen, and Frank McCourt, Francesco blends lyrical honesty, masculine romanticism, and diverse styles into a deeply personal narrative. Each poem is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the beauty that can rise from adversity.
Fumes: Inspired Poetry
Fumes is a powerful collection of 101 poems by Francesco Granieri, born from his first foray into writing during a tumultuous summer in 1997 as he grappled with the heartache of his mother’s incarceration. Serving as a companion to his award-winning memoir Pavarotti and Pancakes, this debut poetry book captures the raw emotion and vivid storytelling of his Italian-American family’s complex history in Atlantic City. Inspired by literary icons like Pablo Neruda, Bruce Springsteen, and Frank McCourt, Francesco blends lyrical honesty, masculine romanticism, and diverse styles into a deeply personal narrative. Each poem is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the beauty that can rise from adversity.
Speaking Truth with Heart and Humor
Francesco Granieri is a compelling speaker who brings vulnerability, wit, and depth to every stage. Through personal storytelling, emotional honesty, and hard-earned wisdom, he invites audiences into a space where pain is not only acknowledged — it’s transformed into purpose. Whether you’re hosting a mental health event, creative writing workshop, or community conversation about resilience, Francesco’s talks leave listeners feeling seen, inspired, and ready to reframe their own stories.
Speaking Truth with Heart and Humor
Francesco Granieri is a compelling speaker who brings vulnerability, wit, and depth to every stage. Through personal storytelling, emotional honesty, and hard-earned wisdom, he invites audiences into a space where pain is not only acknowledged — it’s transformed into purpose. Whether you’re hosting a mental health event, creative writing workshop, or community conversation about resilience, Francesco’s talks leave listeners feeling seen, inspired, and ready to reframe their own stories.
Turning Pain Into Purpose:
The Power of Owning Your Story
In this powerful and emotionally resonant talk, Francesco shares his journey from a childhood marked by dysfunction and silence to becoming an author, artist, and speaker who found strength in vulnerability. Through personal storytelling, humor, and unfiltered honesty, he explores how confronting your truth can lead to healing, connection, and a life driven by purpose rather than pain.
Key Themes
- Transforming adversity into fuel for personal growth
- The courage it takes to speak the unspeakable
- Why your voice matters — especially when it’s been silenced
- Creating meaning from hardship and helping others along the way
Audience Engagement
Francesco is a dynamic presence on stage — blending heartfelt storytelling with humor, expressive delivery, and moments of pause that invite reflection. He speaks with authenticity and emotional range, creating an atmosphere where audiences feel both seen and safe. His energy shifts with the tone of the story, keeping listeners fully engaged from start to finish.
- Interactive Reflection Prompts: Audiences are invited to reflect on moments in their own lives where pain shaped them, and how reframing that pain could serve a greater purpose.
- Book Signing/Q&A: Francesco is available post-session to sign books, share behind-the-scenes insight, and speak with attendees personally.
Why It Works
Through his honest storytelling, engaging style and emotional presence, Francesco creates space for his audience to lean in, laugh and self-reflect by offering a gentle invitation to see their own story through a new lens. His words often say what many have felt, but never voiced — and in that, audiences find connection, clarity, and, sometimes, the beginning of their new path.
Ideal For
- A fresh, more compassionate perspective on their own life story
- The feeling of being seen and understood through shared human experience
- Encouragement to reflect, heal, and move forward — even if quietly, at first
- A lasting sense of connection and the inspiration to begin writing a new chapter in their journey