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Who is the author of 35 Miles from Shore? Critic Angela Wilson finds out in this virtual interview.

Who is Emilio Corsetti III?

I am a professional pilot and author. I am also a husband, golf addict, movie fan, and dog owner.

How did your writing career begin?

My writing career began when I started writing for an aviation magazine. I was a regular contributor for eight years. I grew tired of the fluff pieces I was writing, which were designed more to attract advertisers than readers. So I ventured into new territories such as my latest book.

Tell us about your latest work.

It’s the true story of a 1970 airliner that ditched in the Caribbean Sea and the efforts to rescue those who survived. It’s a story of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

What compelled you to write it?

I learned of the accident as a new hire pilot with TWA during emergency procedures training. For a number of reasons, the story hadn’t been told before. It is the kind of untold story that every writer dreams of stumbling upon.

How many people did you interview for this book?

Over fifty. Some I did in person. Some I did by phone. And some I did by e-mail.

Can you tell us about the life vest?

Anyone who stops by on one of my physical book tour stops will have an opportunity to see one of the actual life vests used that night. The story of how the life vest found its way to me is in the book.

Who is your greatest champion?

I am. My wife has been supportive. She has read early drafts and has given me some great suggestions on how to improve the work. I have also relied on others for advice. But ultimately I am the one who has to champion my own work. If you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will.

Who inspires you?

I get inspired every time I read a great book or see a great film.

What are you reading?

I like to read two books at a time. I’ll read a few chapters from one book and then a few from the second. Right now I’m reading The Mistress’s Daughter by A.M. Homes and Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.

What’s next for you?

I like to think big. I have two screenplays in circulation. One is an adaptation of my book. The other is a comedy dealing with hope, the placebo effect, and the power of the mind over the body. They’re both great stories. I see myself in collaboration with filmmakers the next few years.

Where can we find you on the Web?

http://www.EmilioCorsetti.com – My personal web site.

http://www.35milesfromshore.com – The book’s web site. Anyone who is even remotely interested in this story should stop by. This site has a wealth of ancillary material related to the story including images, excerpts, newspaper articles, maps and more.

http://everythingnonfiction.typepad.com – This is my blog. A lot of people say that every book should have a blog. I think that’s nonsense. There’s only so much you can say about one book. My blog covers nonfiction books, films, and documentaries. I also talk about my book. The beauty of the site is that I don’t have to promote my book to get potential readers. I might write a review of a nonfiction book that attracts a visitor to the blog. That person, in turn, is exposed to my book. Plus I never run out of things to talk about. I happen to be a big fan of nonfiction.