Stefano Maroni was born in New Jersey to Italian immigrants and grew up between two different cultures — the gritty pace of American suburbia and the deep-rooted traditions of his Italian heritage. That tension became fuel for his writing.
He studied English and Philosophy in New York, where he got his start as a freelance journalist. Early on, he wrote essays about immigration, identity, and class — subjects that mirrored his own experience. His bylines eventually appeared in The Atlantic, Harpers, and The New Yorker, gaining him respect for his lyrical, honest voice.
After years of city life, Stefano left New York and settled in a small adobe house near Taos, New Mexico. The change wasn’t just geographic. It marked a shift in his pace, mindset, and writing. He traded subway notebooks for mountain trails and began writing longer, more meditative pieces.
His latest book, The Distance Between Us, is a powerful exploration of loneliness, masculinity, and belonging in modern America. It’s been called “a haunting meditation” and praised for its quiet depth.
Now in his fifties, Stefano lives simply — hiking, reading, and publishing essays on his Substack. He avoids social media noise, embraces solitude, and values thoughtful connection over constant exposure.
He doesn’t consider himself reclusive, just focused. His story shows how living with care — and writing with purpose — still matters in a world that often forgets to slow down.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I wake before sunrise. The morning is for walking — through the high desert or along the ridge trails. No phone, no sound but wind. That rhythm clears my mind. By mid-morning, I write — sometimes two hours, sometimes six. I don’t set strict goals, but I do show up daily. Productivity for me isn’t about speed. It’s about consistency and attention. One good paragraph can be a great day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I let them sit. A story might begin with a scene from a past relationship or something overheard in a grocery store. I’ll carry it in my head while walking or chopping wood. If it sticks, it grows. I don’t outline much. I let the tone lead. Then I shape it — again and again — until it feels true.
What’s one trend that excites you?
A return to longform. In an age of shrinking attention spans, people are slowly craving something deeper again — newsletters, essays, physical books. Not viral. Not instant. Just honest writing with room to breathe.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Turning off the internet. My writing laptop doesn’t have Wi-Fi. No browser, no apps. Just words. That’s made the biggest difference.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t worry about being published. Focus on being honest. Success follows clarity, not noise.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe boredom is essential. We’ve made ourselves allergic to silence. But boredom is where the real ideas start.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take a walk without your phone. Not for steps or photos — just for yourself. Do it often enough and your brain starts giving you better questions.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I leave the house. Physical movement resets me. A trail, a dirt road, even just splitting firewood. I let my hands work so my head can quiet.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Saying no. I’ve turned down book deals, podcasts, and speaking gigs that didn’t feel right. Guarding your voice is part of building it.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Years ago, I wrote a deeply personal essay that an editor rewrote beyond recognition. I accepted it at the time. But it taught me to fight for my tone. I now keep closer guard of my edits — not from ego, but because tone is identity.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An online library of slow essays — a curated, ad-free space where people pay a few pounds per month to read one great piece a week. It’s not new, but it’s rare to do it well and with taste.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use iA Writer. It’s clean, distraction-free. Just black text on a white screen. No menus, no notifications. It’s what I write everything in.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin. I reread it every year. It’s not just what he says — it’s how he says it. Grace under pressure. Clarity with heat.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Taste of Things — a French film about cooking, but really about slowness and love. Every shot feels like a meal. That’s rare.
Key learnings
- Protecting your focus — even in small ways — builds long-term clarity and output.
- Saying no to misaligned opportunities helps maintain creative integrity.
- Boredom, solitude, and physical movement are underrated tools for generating new ideas.
- Crafting meaningful work often begins with listening — not performing.
- You don’t have to be everywhere. Sometimes, depth beats reach.