Q&A With Maria Gallucci

Q: Welcome to Book Notions, Maria! Would you please give a brief description of Raised In Silence for our readers?

A: Raised In Silence is the story of what it was like growing up as the hearing daughter of Deaf parents and learning American Sign Language before I learned English. It’s filled with funny family moments, challenging experiences, and life lessons that shaped who I am today. While my story begins in the Deaf community, this book is really about communication, empathy, resilience, and learning how to truly connect with people, no matter what differences we have.

Q: What made now the right time to write your memoir about being a child of Deaf parents?

A: For years, people would tell me, “You need to write a book.” I always smiled, thanked them, and moved on because life was busy. But as I started sharing stories during speaking engagements and conversations, I realized people weren’t just interested in my experiences. They were seeing themselves in them.

I also recognized that many people know very little about the Deaf community. There are so many misconceptions, and I wanted to help bridge that gap. If sharing my family’s story could help someone become a little more understanding, patient, or inclusive, then it felt like the right time to finally tell it.

Q: How long did it take you to write Raised In Silence? What do you hope readers learn and feel once they finish reading your memoir?

A: The writing itself took a little over a year, but in many ways I’d been collecting these stories my entire life. The hardest part wasn’t remembering them. It was deciding which ones to include because there were so many moments that helped shape me.

When readers finish the book, I hope they walk away looking at communication a little differently. Not everyone communicates the same way, but everyone deserves to be understood and feel valued. I also hope readers laugh, cry, and maybe even call someone they love. If the book encourages even one person to be more curious instead of making assumptions, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

Q: Are you currently writing another memoir or will your next book be about something different?

A: Right now I’m enjoying meeting readers and speaking about Raised In Silence, but I definitely don’t think this is my last book. My next one will likely be different. I’d love to explore communication, leadership, business, and inclusion from a practical perspective, using stories and lessons people can apply in their own lives. I’m keeping my notebook close because ideas seem to show up when I least expect them.

Q: Would you please provide your social media links so that readers can follow your journey?