It’s the story of my spiritual journey, from a young girl who wanted to become a nun, to discovering my true calling as a spiritual teacher in my late 40s
Rosanne Annoni – 29 September 2026
The Back Flap
At the age of ten, Rosanne Annoni had a vision of Christ calling her to become a nun—only to have her devout Catholic mother respond to this news with a slap across the face. Traversing the time between that childhood vision and a solitary winter in Pema Chodron’s cabin at Gampo Abbey, Unfolding the Heart weaves together raw personal storytelling, spiritual discovery, and psychological insight. Through the highs of spiritual clarity and the depths of trauma, she searches relentlessly for her true path—and finds it not in renunciation, but in presence.
Spanning decades of grief, motherhood, cancer, and healing, this memoir explores the messy beauty of a life lived with courageous self-inquiry. Through the Diamond Approach, Buddhist practice, and deep personal relationships, Rosanne unearths wisdom from adversity and uncovers grace in the ordinary. For spiritual seekers, healing professionals, or anyone navigating loss, midlife change, or a desire for inner truth, Unfolding the Heart is a cathartic, hopeful story of letting go, leaning in, and discovering that spiritual path isn’t somewhere far away—it’s right here, within.
About the book
What is the book about?
It’s the story of my spiritual journey, from a young girl who wanted to become a nun, to discovering my true calling as a spiritual teacher in my late 40s; my lifelong search for authenticity and wholeness. It’s a coming-of-age story, late in mid-life, a story of love and loss, forgiveness and making peace with my history.
When did you start writing the book?
2016
How long did it take you to write it?
Ten years
Where did you get the idea from?
Sitting with my friend, who was writing his memoir, and telling him that I wanted to demystify spiritual teachers for my students. Wanted to let them know that we’re all in this together, that we all suffer, and that we can find freedom if we do our practices, but we’re not ‘better’ than them.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Yes! Writing about my son who was an addict for several years. He didn’t want me to share details of his history, so it was tricky to find a way to address the impact on me as a mother and still preserve his privacy. And most challenging was writing about my friend, Mike, his death and my grief afterwards.
What came easily?
Writing about my time at Gampo Abbey; my history, since I’d written several versions of it over the years and had more clarity about what mattered and what didn’t.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
As memoir, the characters are from the real world
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Abigail Thomas’s memoir, A Three Dog Life, was riveting. Her honesty, heartfulness, and non-sentimental style influenced me greatly.
Lee Woodruff, In An Instant, was unflinching and poignant and I took courage from her style.
Maggie Smith’s memoir, You Could Make This Place so Beautiful, was extraordinary. I liked her barebones approach but I’m not a poet so the structure of her book was different than mine, but still influential.
And any memoir by Anne Lammott has had an impact on my style.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone interested in a spiritual path, or one who is on a spiritual path and wants guidance in navigating the pitfalls and pleasures that come from staying on course; women who are looking for inspiration about finding their true calling and path in life, even if not a spiritual one
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
These days, I’m focused more on publicity! But when I was writing, I would start the day with meditation and then write 3-4 hours in the morning, 3 times a week. More productive for me was taking myself to an Air B&B, isolating and writing for 4-7 days, usually in Provincetown. The occasional writing workshops and conferences over the years have been very supportive, and helpful in finding a community of writers.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I don’t though at a certain point in the process, I needed to create an outline with a possible flow of chapters.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I tend to edit as I go, which makes writing slower, unless I’m in the flow and the writing writes itself. I love revisions, spend a good deal of time going over whatever I write, several times.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did hire someone to review my manuscript before sending it to She Writes Press. Then hired a developmental editor once the manuscript was accepted because the first few chapters needed to be shifted around.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes, instrumental only, either piano or the classical Pandora station.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did, but did not get any responses.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
When I didn’t hear back from agents, I considered my age (78 at the time) and decided I didn’t want to spend more time hoping an agent would find a publisher. I’d heard about She Writes Press, liked what I heard, and submitted. I was relieved when the manuscript was accepted, knowing it would be at least 16 months before publication, that I’d be close to 80 by the time the book was published.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
She Writes Press designed it.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’ve hired a publicity team, Mindbuck, and on the team have a web designer, publicist, social media team, and events planner.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
The support of community and information/guidance from She Writes Press has been invaluable. I don’t know about other indie publishers, and if they offer as much support on all the steps leading up to publishing, and then what’s required from publicity prior to publication. I would have given up early on without the support. Weekly office hours to ask the publisher any questions you have; cohort groups; a project manager; cover designer…so much more. Check out how much guidance and support is offered for the money you’ll pay to have your book published. Not all hybrid publishers are equal!
About You
Where did you grow up?
Allentown, PA.
Where do you live now?
Cape Cod.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I continue to mentor teachers though I work very parttime. My lifelong aim has been to live a good, kind, awakened life and I continue to practice meditation daily, and do my best to be kind to my family and friends as well as strangers I meet in supermarkets, and other places of business.
What are you working on now?
Filling out forms for publicityJ) and writing essays related to my memoir to post on my website or for my publicist to send out to encourage interest in the book. I have a number of pieces I started during a writing workshop in Dingle, Ireland a month ago and am hoping to get back to them soon.
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Unfolding the Heart from Amazon US.
