Marco Simonelli was born in Florence, where he still lives today. A leading voice in the Italian LGBTQ movement, he defies homophobia with mordant humor. Though still in his forties, he has published a dozen titles. His collection Will, winner of the Russo-Mazzacurati prize, is a contemporary take on Shakespeare's sonnets, set in modern Tuscany. His most recent book is Litania nervosa (A Litany of Nerves), published by Valigie Rosse.