Julian's Debut

Julian Sorrento has written a New Yorker article about selflessness and altruism. In it, he portrays himself as an exploited victim of his large, dysfunctional family and a savior to the unhoused people he serves as their social worker. Following the article’s publication, Julian’s family comes after him with a righteous fury. They claim he has exaggerated and distorted facts, making them the villains. His agent encourages him to expand the article into a book. As Julian meets with each member of his family to hear their grievances, he also seeks—or sometimes makes up whole cloth—additional damning secrets about them to include in his memoir.“An inventive, wildly entertaining novel, which revolves around the hazards of writing a memoir about one’s family. What a cast of characters Brian Alessandro has brought to life, through sparkling dialogue and vivid, often comical scenes. I enjoyed Julian’s Debut immensely!” —Bill Hayes, author of Insomniac City: New York, Oliver Sacks, and Me“Julian Sorrento has had enough. Enough of being an underseen writer, enough of being used by his family, who have thrust him into the role of “everyone’s therapist, support coordinate, advocate, sounding board, and bank.” When he sits down to write a memoir about them, all brakes are off. One after another, they confront him after it’s a success, but in the world of this novel, the greatest prize turns out to be liberation: where art begins. By turns comic, wrenching, appalling, bewildered, shrewd, never nice, and always alive, Julian’s Debut is a powder keg of a book that explodes and explodes.” —Paul Lisicky, author of Song So Wild and Blue: A Life with the Music of Joni Mitchell“Brian Alessandro has written a rollicking family story that follows a flawed and fascinating character through the ethical terrain of memoir writing. Funny, beautifully written and brimming with the best kind of big questions.” —Lexi Freiman, author of The Book of Ayn“Brian Alessandro’s Julian’s Debut is a masterful exploration of wit and emotional depth—a fearless, unapologetic examination of the fine line between truth and betrayal in storytelling. With raw vulnerability and sardonic humor, Alessandro vividly captures a protagonist navigating the delicate balance of baring familial scars to the world. This novel delves into the complexities of loyalty, identity, and the resilience that defines us, all while embracing our beautiful imperfections.” —Emanuel Xavier, author of Love(ly) ChildBrian Alessandro has written for Interview Magazine, Newsday, PANK, Huffington Post, Galerie, Lambda Literary, The Gay & Lesbian Review, Kirkus Reviews, and The Florida Review. He has recently co-adapted Edmund White’s A Boy’s Own Story into a graphic novel for Top Shelf Productions. Additionally, Brian co-edited Fever Spores: The Queer Reclamation of William S. Burroughs, an anthology of essays and interviews about Burroughs for Rebel Satori Press. Brian is also the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the literary journal The New Engagement. His first novel, The Unmentionable Mann, was published in 2015 by Cairn Press, and his first feature film, Afghan Hound, was produced by Maryea Media in 2011 and is streaming on Plex, Tubi, and Amazon. Rebel Satori Press published his second novel, Performer Non Grata, in 2023. Read more