Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

SSabitha: Poetry has the ability to reflect emotion in a pure form, and emotion is what Michael Finelli brings in the collection Tears of Pan. Michael, can you tell us a bit about your book?

Michael: My debut book of poetry is called The Tears of Pan, delving into the individualistic warring of the mind between caustic repugnance and rejuvenating love. Greek myth is intermixed with dreary contemplation on life, death, suicide, and love. These emotions are emblematic of the oscillation between dissonance and confidence, regret and hopefulness for the future. We all of us can find relatability in these sentiments. Miscellaneous poetry juxtaposes the overwhelming

atmosphere of dread.

Sabitha: What inspired you to write this book?

Michael: I started writing poetry back in 2010, at a different stage in my life. At that time, depression, self-loathing, doubt, and hopelessness assailed my heart, and my creative response was to transmute those intense and profound emotions into cathartic poetry. Mythology has always fascinated me—especially Greek—so I made the artistic decision to merge the two subjects into poems that allowed for a unique writing experience; mythical, introspective reflections, representative of the complexities of the human condition.

In October of 2023, I had a third-life existential crisis. I felt like a large portion of my life had slipped away from me, that I had been remiss with my writing passion. The flame of creativity was suddenly relit, with a torrent of miscellaneous and love poetry being written at nearly break-neck speed. The time felt right in October to publish.

Sabitha: Do you have a playlist for your book?

Michael: I absolutely do! Music plays an integral part in my life, more so during bursts of inspiration. The Tears of Pan was written within a framework of depressing music; the soul of the artist truly presents itself in a bare and raw form, devoid of the clandestineness of falsehoods. Flowing Tears’ Lovesong for a Dead Child and Radio Heroine, alongside The Sisters of Mercy’s Nine While Nine and Some Kind of Stranger encapsulate the feelings representative of my book.

Sabitha: Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become better writers?

Michael: Always be true to yourself, and the words will flow. Authenticity is the foundation of true art, so never diverge from the genuineness and the veracity found in reality and experience.

Sabitha: What’s your next writing project?

Michael: Another two books of poetry are already being written! There’s two Wonderland-esque children’s books in the work, a collection of fantasy short stories, and a fiction novel. So, quite a bit to juggle. Stay tuned!

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Michael: Readers can purchase a copy of The Tears of Pan on my website (michaelfinelliauthor.ca). If interested, please connect with me on Facebook (Michael Finelli – Author) or Instagram (@michaelfinelliauthor)!