Julie started writing at 12 years old, keeping a journal to record the thoughts and feelings that always seemed to be gushing out of her - from her frustrations with being at the bottom of the hierarchy in her large and overbearing family to the confusion and exhilarating experience of first love. 

"I have a whole trunk full of journals," said Julie. "But I don't know what I'll ever do with them. Anything and everything I want to say about life up until now is embodied in Iris & Lily." With a laugh she adds, "Maybe I'll have a nice bonfire one of these days and we can roast marshmallows over the chronicles of my past."

Not only has co-authoring Iris & Lily with her sister Angela given her a hearty outlet for her passion for writing, but Julie says that sharing her story has also given meaning to her own pain and challenges.

"I hope to encourage other women to learn to transcend their suffering, to reframe their past, and get excited and engaged in their lives. It's never too late to get started - or to start over again. 

"I hope to encourage other women to learn to transcend their suffering, to reframe their past, and get excited and engaged in their lives. It's never too late to get started - or to start over again. 

"I'm telling you, I've done just about everything in my power to screw up my life - and I still think in spite of all my failures and bad choices, things are going to work out just fine. My past has been like fertilizer for the future I see opening up in front of me.

In addition to being co-author of the Iris & Lily novel series, Julie is a vocalist on the Songs of Iris & Lily music CD, and has performed in local and regional theatre.

Together with her sister and co-author Angela Scipioni, Julie has co-founded Scipio Press, a site that offers independently published books, and author publishing services.

Julie is also the Founder and Principal of Pocketsquare, LLC, providing Virtual Production and Self-Publishing services.