Diane Ioannou | Updates

Et in Arcadia Ago: is Poussin’s painting mystery solved?

Diane Ioannou — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:50:46 -0400

Here is my complete answer to Maria’s question about publishing something other than my books:

- Have you published anything other than books? (i.e. essay, short story, poetry, etc)

Yes, I have. An article regarding the mystery behind Poussin’s intriguing painting, which he named “Et in Arcadia Ego.”

Here is the story behind the article:

I was on a trip to Cyprus visiting a friend when I met Andrew. Andrew was extremely gifted and talented, like a modern-day Leonardo Da Vinci.

However, unlike Leonardo Da Vinci, he was handsome with shoulder length blond hair and beautiful green eyes.

In addition to being an excellent architect, artist, painter, and sculptor, he was also a great poet and writer.

When I jokingly asked him to write a poem about me, he did––a poem about “a fine maiden” that he put together on the spot, in minutes.

I was immediately taken aback by his multiple talents and abilities, and I wasn’t alone. For a local Cypriot newspaper had written an article on Andrew’s life and achievements.

When Andrew had asked me where I was from, trying to impress him, I jokingly responded “et in Arcadia ego”.

I thought he would find my response amusing, for I had told him in a “clever artistic way,” that I was born at and now live in the Arcadia area of the Peloponnese.

Well…, that was the moment I realized that in addition to being talented, Andrew also was strongly opinionated and had a bit of a temper.

He started at me, “You Greeks think everything has to do with you. Poussin’s painting has nothing to do with Greece, he painted it in, and it represents Arcadia, France.”

Well, I could not believe my ears. I quickly responded, “No it does not! I don’t know where he painted it at, but it represents ancient Arcadia of the Peloponnese.”

To this Andrew swiftly responded: “That is impossible, for during Poussin’s life, the Peloponnese was under Ottoman rule and occupation and the clothing would reflect that.”

Then he went on “I have friends who have worked for many years to find the mystery or mysteries of that painting but have failed. I too have looked at it and it has puzzled me, but I know one thing for sure, that during Poussin’s time, the people of the Peloponnese did not dress like that.”

He was right, and this would be an additional point that would help prove my theory correct. I had already conducted some research on the mysteries of both pieces: Poussin’s painting and the related Shugborough Shepherds Monument, and had worked out how the two were connected.

I smiled and looked him straight in the eyes, “It is not about the painting, it is about the relief sculpture found on the monument instead!”

“Prove it!” He shouted back.

So, I did...

The article was published in the fall of 2022 in the Voices section of the Pappas Post, not long before my first book was published.

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BookPub New Release for Less—Supernatural Suspense—starting October 21!

Diane Ioannou — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

“An adventurous travelogue of mythical and realistic stories from the magical region of the Eastern Peloponnese. From ancient stories to modern day personal events, the author carefully weaves a thought-provoking narrative as she’s constantly on a hunt for answers to age-old riddles.” —CHARLIE

DIANE IOANNOU’s background and training as a research professional and forensic auditor have made her an effective historical analyst, mystery solver, and skilled codebreaker. The author approaches her work like a historical and archaeological detective, making connections and uncovering ancient mysteries––while taking her readers along on her journey of discovery.

BookPub link:

https://www.bookbub.com/ebook-deals?categories=supernatural-suspense

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“Artemis Child: Maria’s Journey”—Pub Day October 15, 2025

Diane Ioannou — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Maria is both capable and determined. She has thoughtfully mapped out her journey toward a carefree life.

While working seasonally as a consultant, as her second child gets ready to head off to university, she is preparing to spend her first summer in Europe.

Then, one morning, while she was getting her coffee before heading off to work, Hans the Warrior approaches her outside the coffee shop with the intention of derailing her plans indefinity.

Unbeknownst to her, Maria has been watched over and protected her entire life; for she is an ancient oracle and powerful healer. Hans is aware of this and is in desperate need of her healing powers.

Once activated, Maria will embark on a surreal journey that ultimately leads her to a small port town in Greece where the past and present collide.

Will Maria ever find her way back?

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“Artemis Child Maria’s Journey”—Pub Day October 15, 2025

Diane Ioannou — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Maria is both capable and determined. She has thoughtfully mapped out her journey toward a carefree life.

While working seasonally as a consultant, as her second child gets ready to head off to university, she is preparing to spend her first summer in Europe.

Then, one morning, while she was getting her coffee before heading off to work, Hans the Warrior approaches her outside the coffee shop with the intention of derailing her plans indefinity.

Unbeknownst to her, Maria has been watched over and protected her entire life; for she is an ancient oracle and powerful healer. Hans is aware of this and is in desperate need of her healing powers.

Once activated, Maria will embark on a surreal journey that ultimately leads her to a small port town in Greece where the past and present collide.

Will Maria ever find her way back?

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V for Vendetta, Living Abroad, and Ancient Mysteries

Diane Ioannou — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

DIANE IOANNOU’s background and training as a research professional and forensic auditor have made her an effective archeological analyst, mystery solver, and skilled codebreaker. The author makes connections and uncovers ancient mysteries—while taking her readers along on her journey of adventure and discovery.

REVIEWER COMMENT:

Adventurous ride across the Eastern Coast of the Peloponnese!

“ARTEMIS CHILD” is a fun hybrid of fiction and non-fiction reading. The fictional elements evolve around Maria’s life adventures, and the non-fictional elements are centered around the ancient history and archeology of the Peloponnese, including Mycenaean and earlier civilizations such as Arcadian antiquity. Every time I re-read passages, I discover new things I previously missed… A very refreshing and unexpected read!

Novel scheduled to publish internationally on Amazon on October 15th in ebook, paperback, and hardcover forms. See author’s website for more information: https://dianeioannou.com

Goodreads giveaway for upcoming novel ends in a couple of days. Sign up today! (US only): https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/421780-artemis-child-maria-s-journey

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Artemis Child:Maria’s Journey Pub Day October 15, 2025!

Diane Ioannou — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

REVIEWER COMMENT:

Adventurous ride across the Eastern Coast of the Peloponnese!

Novel scheduled to publish internationally on Amazon on October 15th in ebook, paperback, and hardcover forms.

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Goodreads Book Giveaway for Artemis Child: Maria’s Journey

Diane Ioannou — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Goodreads Book Giveaway for Artemis Child: Maria’s Journey

Goodreads Book Giveaway for Artemis Child: Maria’s Journey. Ends end of September. Sign up today!

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/421780-artemis-child-maria-s-journey

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2025 Perseid Meteor Shower

Diane Ioannou — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

When is the 2025 Perseid meteor shower?

The Perseids run from 17 July to 24 August, with the peak of activity falling on the night of 12/13 August.

This is when you could expect to see the most meteors, but if clouds or your schedule mean you can’t meteor watch on the peak, then you should be able to see a good show any time between 9-15 August.

The Perseids (a Rain of Stars) will be at their best from midnight until the hour or so before dawn. If that’s too late (or early) for you, you should still be able to see some meteors in the evening.

The Perseids have what’s known as a zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of 100 to 150 meteors per hour, but that doesn’t quite mean you’ll see that many raining stars.
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The Myth behind the Perseids:

Many years ago, there was a beautiful princess named
Danae who lived in the city of Argos of a country named
Greece. She was the daughter of King Acrisius, although
she was not his wife Queen Eurydice’s biological child.
Instead, Danae was the result of an extramarital affair
and was given to the Queen to raise by her true mother,
the naiad Aganippe.

Aganippe resided in the Mount Helicon region
of Boeotia. An area assigned to her by her father, the
river god Permessus, to protect. She lived near a magical
spring at the base of the mountain named after her—the
Aganippe Spring. From the spring gushed “sweet waters of inspiration”
of poetry, music, and the arts. And those who visited the spring to bathe and drink from it found themselves speaking in rhymes.

King Acrisius was fraught with distraught for he
was unable to father a son to succeed him on the throne.
In his despair, he journeyed to Delphi to consult with the
oracle on what to do.

The oracle’s reply was: “Not only will you not attain
a son, but you are also destined to be killed by your own
grandson.”

Interpreting the prophecy to mean that Danae’s
unborn son would bring about his demise, the king was
greatly troubled. He knew that harming Danae would
incur the wrath of Aganippe, whose name meant “the
mare who kills mercifully.”

He called in his top advisors, to consult with them
on what to do, but they were of no help.
After giving it a lot of thought, the king came up
with an idea. He commanded the construction of a
magnificent tower in the palace courtyard to house the
young princess.

The tower was designed to fill all the princess’s
needs, but there was a catch. The tower lacked doors
and windows, with only one opening at the rooftop. An
opening to the sky.

Aganippe was infuriated upon learning that her
daughter had been imprisoned in a tower. She imme-
diately sought out the god Zeus and begged for his
assistance. Zeus agreed to help.

The princess was crying herself to sleep, as she did every
night, when she suddenly felt something strange. She
opened her eyes to see that the sky was not dark as usual;
instead, it was filled with golden stars. As she admired
them, the stars transformed into a shower of gold that
streamed through the sky opening.

It was Zeus himself. He came to Danae in the form of
golden rain and impregnated her without her knowledge.
It was the moment Perseus was divinely conceived—
“under a rain of stars.”

Excerpt from the second book of the Peloponnese series, “Artemis Child - a Rain of Stars”

Author’s website: https://dianeioannou.com

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Pelops and the Peloponnese

Diane Ioannou — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

For some cozy holiday 🎁 🎄 solving mysteries.

-Chapter 9-

The Treasury of Atreus was constructed at the same time and adjacent to the fortification walls of ancient Mycenae. The enormous tholos structure housed an abundance of great treasures.

It was commissioned by King Tantalus as a gift to his grandson, Atreus, who was to make use of the treasury once he inherited the throne of Mycenae.

In her research Maria discovered that Tantalus’s kingdom, which was the birthplace and home of prince Pelops, was situated at the western edge of the Anatolia plateau in close proximity to the ancient island of Sarpedon.

King Tantalus must have been very grateful for the gorgon’s defeat, leading him to offer Perseus anything he desired.

Maybe Perseus asked for Pelops to come to the Peloponnese to compete and win the chariot and become king of Pisa. Maybe what he desired was for the Peloponnese to be protected from future invaders and to prosper, Maria pondered.

Maria now understood why The Treasury of Atreus was constructed at the same time and beside the fortification of the Mycenae citadel. The citadel was intended to be governed at a later time by Pelops’s firstborn son from the outset.

This would also explain why Perseus departed Tiryns so swiftly to establish the citadel of ancient Mycenae in conjunction with the treasury. A prosperous citadel that he and his family could live in but not own.

Just like Midea, Perseus must have fortified other citadels in nearby towns for his children to inherit once they became of age and married.

None of King Perseus’s sons were ever known to become kings of Mycenae.

Maybe it was a tradition for Anatolian kings to support their first-born grandson’s kingdoms, Maria contemplated. Perhaps this is how Pelops acquired his wealth, not from a father with whom he had a falling out, but from an extremely wealthy grandfather.

She recalled how Perseus discovered the danger of Oenomaus’s chariot races through Polydectes’ deception.

How else would Pelops have known about the chariot races? For Pelops lived so far away from the Peloponnese and was said to have been much younger than Hippodamia. Probably closer to Perseus’s age.

With control of the two powerful kingdoms of Argos and Pisa, and with Pelops’s great wealth and careful planning, the Peloponnese was sure to flourish.

In fact, during his lifetime, Pelops funded all sorts of infrastructure and numerous temples across the whole peninsula.

As a result, it had appeared as though Pelops owned the entire peninsula. This was what led to the peninsula to be named after him. For Peloponnese translated to “Pelops’s Island.”

This all made perfect sense. It was as though all the pieces of the puzzle had finally come together to form a clear picture of the situation.

Excerpt from second book of the Peloponnese Series: “Artemis Child- a Rain of Stars”

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2nd book of Peloponnese series giveaway on Goodreads!

Diane Ioannou — Sun, 6 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/398336-artemis-child-a-rain-of-stars

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The story/reason why Greeks call themselves “Hellenes”

Diane Ioannou — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Hellen (Ἕλλην) was the forefather of the Hellenes. He was said to be the son of either Deucalion or Zeus and Pyrrha.

Hellen had three sons: “Dorus, Xuthus, and Aeolus,” and each of his sons were said to have established a primary tribe of Greece.
Dorus ... maybe the Dorians had been named after him,
wondered Maria.

After researching, she found that Dorus’s (Δῶρος) name was derived from “doron” or “gift.” Dorus was considered the founder of the Dorians who were one of the four major ethnic groups into which the Hellenes of Classical Greece divided themselves, along with the Aeolians, Achaeans, and Ionians.

The earliest literary mention of the Dorians was in the Odyssey, where it was mentioned that they inhabited the island of Crete.

Regarding Xuthus (Ξοῦθος), the other son of Hellen, Maria found that he was a Phthian prince who became a king of the Peloponnese. According to Greek mythology, he was the ancestor and founder, through his sons, of the Achaean and Ionian nations.

Very ancient indeed. Maria had not previously encountered a King Xuthus of the Peloponnese in her research.

The Hellenes were an archaic ethnic group and nation indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions, namely Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, and, to a lesser extent some other countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

However, although Greek colonies and communities were established on the shores of the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, the Greek people themselves were centered mainly on the Aegean and Ionian seas.

Even today, the Greeks refer to themselves as Hellenes (Έλληνες), using their ancient name, and call their country Hellada (Έλλάδα), instead of using the Roman-origin names of Greeks and Greece.

At ancient times the term Graecus which was derived from the Latin word Graecians, was used to refer to “the Hellenic people living westwards of Hellada.”

This was also mentioned by Homer.

Excerpt fro ‘Artemis Child: a Rain of Stars’ second book of the Peloponnese series:

https://www.amazon.com/Artemis-Child-Rain-Stars-Peloponnese/dp/B0CRTNXBV3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JN2NV518GLLW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YbtApqt6BXx3uoPiZ5_USPCYQtF7ntZCzvK1cdFgLUE.gNRd_Ay90SXULO9mRXqG5-dxx25PTQRmYVZkSGVAeKc&dib_tag=se&keywords=Artemis+child+a+rain+of+stars&qid=1726903286&s=books&sprefix=artemis+child+a+rain+of+stars%2Cstripbooks%2C153&sr=1-1

📸 Image from the Cella Friese of the Parthenon. (Acropolis Museum.)

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Pavlopetri was named after Apostles Paul and Peter. But why?

Diane Ioannou — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Did you ever wonder how “Pavlopetri” got its name?

But what about the patriarchal Paul who said women shouldn’t speak in church? There are two mentions of this, one in the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians, one in 1 Timothy. The former is widely considered a later addition, an “interpolation” by editors. In this case, the assertion that women should be silent wildly interrupts the flow of the passage, which is whole without it. And the infamous remark is not present in several early manuscripts of this letter.

Furthermore, the injunction contradicts the main thrust of the epistle, where (in 1 Corinthians 11:5) Paul says that women should “prophesy and pray” in church. It just makes no logical sense for Paul to follow with a command for them to remain silent: This was an editorial hand at work, much later. And the matter of 1 Timothy is easily discarded as not something written by Paul himself.

“Paul sent his most important piece of writing in the possession of Phoebe, this spirited woman of the world who traveled widely and knew every leader in the early Christian movement.”

There is also the complicated matter of Paul’s sexuality. I tend to agree with Bishop John Shelby Spong, a brilliant theologian and church leader, who argues that Paul was “a rigidly controlled gay male,” as he writes in Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism (1991). Be this as it may, Paul was clearly at war with his own body, tormented by the idea if not the reality of sexual desire, and eager to withdraw into the company of his male companions: Luke, Timothy, Silas, and others.

His conflicted feelings about his own sexual nature may account for the “thorn in his flesh” that he wrote about in his second letter to the church at Corinth. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

https://www.thedailybeast.com/paul-the-apostle-was-a-possibly-gay-elite-radical-who-believed-in-equality-for-all

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Olympic Games & Et In Arcadia Ego

Diane Ioannou — Thu, 1 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Excerpt from: Et In Arcadia Ego: Poussin’s Painting Mystery Solved? article:

Then I noticed something I had missed before: THAT THE TWO YOUNG MEN PORTRAYED IN BOTH PIECES HAD WREATHS OF OLIVE BRANCHES OVER THEIR HEADS.

This meant that both pieces most likely portrayed the classical Greek period, because that is when the Olympic Games took place.

The olive wreath, known as “kotinos,” was the prize for the winners of the games in ancient Olympia.

The wreath, though simple, came with great honor and recognition, and only the winners of the different events got to wear the intertwined olive leaf wreaths on their heads.

Both pieces depict a natural landscape scene, and the tomb located next to what seems to be an olive tree.

Yes, the two young men were holding long thin sticks but that does not necessarily make it “a pastoral scene.” They most likely did so to ward off wild animals, as people that go on nature walks continue to do to this day in Greece.

“Et in Arcadia Ego,” the name of the painting, meant that the monument was from the Arcadia region of the Peloponnese.

The extra sarcophagus missing from the painting ties in with the shadow of the sickle, reflecting that “the monument was taken.”

It had been painted in reverse to draw attention to the monument.

He may also be telling us even more, for the title is all in French except for the word “in” word which is Latin. Was he saying that he had seen it “in” England? Possibly on the grounds of the Shugborough residence a century before the date it was claimed to have been commission and sculpted?

Above the marble relief on the sides of the monument are two stone heads, one showing a smiling man, the other the god Pan and under a large mantel is a meander motif, or the “Greek Key” design.

Yes, I believe this is the case, that it is another case of an important ancient Greek monument sitting on a foreign land.

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PERSEID METEOR SHOWER—August 11, 12 and 13

Diane Ioannou — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

(In 2024, the Perseid meteor shower peaks on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13. Midnight to dawn is best! Be sure to watch in a dark sky.)

Two prominent American musicians incorporated the Perseid phenomenon into their music:

-James Taylor penned a song titled “Fire and Rain” in 1968, which was ultimately released in August of 1970. It was named after the meteor shower.
-Similarly, John Denver included his personal experience of witnessing the Perseid meteor shower during a family camping trip in the mountains near Aspen, Colorado, in his 1972 song “Rocky Mountain High.”

Excerpt from “Artemis Child: a Rain of Stars”:

Maria was content with the connections she had established, however, she desired to expand her knowledge on the Perseid meteor shower and how it acquired its name.

While researching, she found that Chinese astronomers first documented the Perseids in 36 AD.

It was plausible that they were recorded earlier and considered myths. She tapped her fingers on her desk.

After all, Perseus’s conception under a shower of stars was mentioned in ancient texts, suggesting that the constellation and meteor shower were most likely named in his honor when he became a hero and king.

Maria believed that the constellations of Andromeda, Perseus, and Pegasus were named during the same ancient time as the Perseids, possibly at the time Perseus became a hero by beheading Medusa.

However, Maria had not found any writings that confirmed when these universal phenomena were named or who named them.

The mystery of their origin remained unsolved, much like the burial sites of the members of the Perseid dynasty. It seemed as though all the ancient writings related to Perseus and his family had somehow vanished into thin air.

Continuing her research, Maria discovered that the Perseids were renowned for their brightness, speed, and long fiery tails, making them one of the most impressive meteor shower events of the year. And that despite originating from the north-northeast of the Perseus constellation, the Perseids can be seen throughout the sky rather than a specific area. Also, that:
• Perseus is one of the larger northern constellations. It was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. The constellation is best known for its annual Perseid meteor shower.
• It is also home to the famous variable star Algol, Beta Persei. Perseus also contains a number of famous deep sky objects, among them Messier 34, the Double Cluster, the California Nebula (NGC 1499) and the Little Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 76).
• The constellation of Perseus is the 24th largest in the sky, occupying an area of 615 square degrees. It is located in the first quadrant of the northern hemi- sphere (NQ1) and can be seen at latitudes between +90° and -35°.

Maria then came across another article which stated that the comet responsible for the meteor shower was Swift-Tuttle.This comet was known to be the largest object, with a 16 miles wide nucleus, that passes by Earth. She conducted further research to learn more about the Swift-Tuttle comet:
• The last time it passed near Earth during its orbit around the sun was in 1992 and the next time it will be that close will be in 2126.
• The Perseid meteor shower is made up of dust and debris of the comet as they burn up in Earth’s atmo- sphere, for they are traveling quickly at around 37 miles per second.
• Even though the comet only passes by Earth every 133 years, the meteor shower occurs every year when earth moves through the trail of its orbit and that stream of debris which stretches along the orbit of the Swift–Tuttle comet is called the Perseid Cloud.
• It is believed that most of the debris particles have been part of the Perseid Cloud for over a thousand years.
• The famous Double Cluster, which consists of two open clusters of masses and is visible to the naked eye all year round, is located within the constellation Perseus.
• Both “the rain of stars” along with the constellation they came from were named after the legendary hero Perseus––a demigod of ancient Greek mythology.

It was now understood that the dazzling flashes of light in the sky occur because of Earth’s yearly encounter with the remnants of the Swift-Tuttle comet, which is often referred to as a cosmic litterbug.

The Perseids are small pieces of cometary debris composed of numerous metallic and rocky fragments known as meteoroids, which transform into meteors upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

The luminous trails we refer to as “shooting” or “falling” stars are produced by the air surrounding the meteors, which are heated to incandescence by the objects’ plunge through the atmosphere.

Excerpt fro ‘Artemis Child: a Rain of Stars’ second book of the Peloponnese series:

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Ancient Mycenae and building of The Treasury of Atreus

Diane Ioannou — Fri, 7 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Was building the Treasury of Atreus at ancient Mycenae a strategic move that would eventually bring an end to a brutal military movement? For Perseus must have known that the ancient Arcadians would never accept such rulers.

Did Perseus, a prince of Argos, bring Pelops the southern Greece peninsula (that would eventually be named Peloponnese in his honor) to fund infrastructure and temples?

Pausanias asserted that “the ancient Greeks believed Perseus to have been founder of the ancient Mycenae citadel,” which would mean that the citadel was founded, or rather fortified, around 1350 BC.

The findings of the ancient Mycenae site all matched with Homer’s description in The Iliad of “a grand royal center.”

However, the town of Mycenae existed long before that time. It was said to be named after the princess Mycene, a daughter of the very ancient king Inachus of Argos.

The 1350 BC date happened to coincide with the date of the construction of the Treasury of Atreus.

The Treasury of Atreus was funded and filled with treasures by the wealthy Anatolian king Tantalus, for his grandson Atreus (first son born son of Pelops) to access when he grew up and became king of ancient Mycenae.

The large tholos stood by itself, further away from the other royal tombs that had been found outside the citadel and located just off the main road leading to the Lion Gate entrance, the main entrance of the Mycenae citadel.

It was positioned in such a way that its grandness was visible from all the roads that led in from the Argolic area, a constant reminder of the power and strength of the then young Mycenaean kingdom to those who looked up from the roads below.

The Perseid dynasty ruled ancient Mycenae and some of the surrounding areas for at least three generations and ended with King Eurystheus, “the last of the Perseid royal line.” He was the king who commissioned Hercules to perform his twelve labors.

After King Eurystheus was killed fighting the Athenians, Atreus, son of Pelops, grandson of Tantalus, became king of Mycenae, starting off the “short-lived and drama-filled” Atreid dynasty.

The drama had included the initiation of the Trojan War, which led the Mycenaean-era kings and their soldiers to leave behind their kingdoms for a long period of time without proper defense.

The main reason the Mycenaean rule would come to an end.

Excerpt from “Artemis Child: on the East Coast of the Peloponnese”

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Author’s Spotlight - Maria Karamitsos (Windy City Greek)

Diane Ioannou — Sat, 1 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome back! This time, I put Diane Ioannou in the Author Spotlight. Keep reading to learn more about her and her work.

Meet Diane Ioannou

Born in Greece and raised in Chicago, Diane now lives in Greece. She’s the author of the ‘Artemis Child’ series. Let’s meet her!

I’m an Amazon affiliate. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn money from qualifying purchases. By clicking through the links, when you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps to support my writerly endeavors. Thank you!

Q&A with Diane Ioannou… on her Greek rootsWhere are you from? Tell us a little about you.

I was born in a small mountain village on the Parnon Range, near the east coast of the Peloponnese. I am one of five children.

When I was 4 years old my family moved to Chicago for a chance at a better life. That’s where I grew up; however, I would not live there because I found my traditional home life a bit overbearing and at times oppressive.

At the age of 18, not long after my parents started pressing me to get married, I moved to Southern California to live with relatives. There, I worked at their chain of restaurants while going to school. I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and become a CPA.

After completing my studies, I met and married my husband, and we started a family. Unfortunately, the marriage ended in divorce while the children were still young. I dedicated myself to raising my two children while working full-time as a financial and forensic auditor. As my children grew older and I had more free time, I also pursued a master’s degree in taxation by attending evening classes.

Just as I thought life would get easier with my eldest starting university, I faced yet another life changing transition that led me back to Greece, my birthplace, where I settled in a small port town to heal.

It was there I began writing my series of books.

Greek Author Diane Ioannou

Where do you live now?

I live in a Greek port town on the east coast of the Mythical Peloponnese, as the region was recently named to attract people interested in the ancient history and mysteries that the Peloponnese encompasses. I have lived here for more than ten years now.

Initially, my travels and stays to Southern California were short, mostly to spend time with my children, visit with friends, and take care of any personal business waiting for me there.

Over the years, I started spending Thanksgiving and Christmas there, returning to Greece at the end of December, sometimes even celebrating the New Year on connecting flights.

… on life and workDo you write full-time or do you have a “day” job?

I write and self-publish a book each year, but writing is not my main source of income.

A couple of years after moving into the town I opened a small antique and souvenir shop in the port area as a hobby to keep myself busy. I managed the shop for about five years but had to close it down when the minimum business tax was increased, and it was no longer financially viable.

I am an investor––in both the stock market and real estate. I particularly enjoy buying, fixing, and reselling homes, which is how I made most of my money while living in Southern California. It’s something I’ve learned to do well.

… on readingWhat types of books do you like to read?

I enjoy reading books that transport me to different countries and immerse me in their unique cultures and landscapes, such as Italy, Spain, and Morocco. I especially enjoy mystery novels that feature detective and other unsolved cases and mysteries, set in intriguing locations.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

The first book and author that fascinated me as a young adult in my early 20s was Unearthing Atlantis by paleontologist Dr. Charles Pellegrino and published in 1993. In the book, he used science, written records, and logical analysis to make a strong case for Santorini (ancient Thera) being Plato’s lost city of Atlantis.

After that, I became intrigued by Paulo Coelho’s books. Whenever a new one was published, I made sure to buy and read it. His exciting characters, interesting places, and fascinating stories always captivated me.

More recently, I’ve been enjoying Jeffery Siger’s ‘Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis’ series of detective stories set at different locations in Greece.

They say, “You are what you read.” In many ways, my books are similar, except that I include some of my personal experiences through my protagonist, Maria. My books are in a style similar to Sophie’s World. That book combines personal fiction and philosophy.

… on writingWhen did you start writing?

In 2021, I started writing after being encouraged by a friend who had recently published a cookbook based on his mother’s recipes and was working on a second book. After sharing some of my experiences living in Greece, Christos told me, “You should write a book.”

So, I decided to do just that. At the time, I was already working on solving some local ancient mysteries. The idea of combining my living experiences with mystery-solving intrigued me, making it an interesting project.

What do you like to write?

I enjoy writing about my personal experiences––those that took me back to Greece, along with those of adjusting to the culture of a small port town where I encountered the first of the ancient mysteries.

What inspires you as an author?

I draw inspiration from the process of seeking help to improve my writing and get my books published, which has also led me to connect with some interesting people. Through this experience, I learned how to self-publish. Now, I am capable of independently navigating the publishing process, which will eventually make my series of books profitable.

Have you published anything other than books? (i.e. essay, short story, poetry, etc)

Yes. I published an article regarding the mystery behind Poussin’s intriguing painting, which he named “Et in Arcadia Ego.”

Poisson’s painting looks an awful like the relief in the photo. Coincidence? Diane discusses this in her article, “Et in Arcadia Ego”. IMAGES COURTESY DIANE IOANNOU

What made you choose to set your novels in Greece?

Even though it sounds like a cliche, I still have to say that “it was destiny” that I chose to set my novels in the Mythical Peloponnese region of Greece. The first time I visited Greece was as a teenager, with my parents and younger brother, we stayed in my paternal family’s village home in Kastri (the village where I was born), for two months. Additionally, we camped in the nearby Agios Andreas beach area for a couple of weeks.

During the camping trip, I went for a hike up the “Ancient Anthini Hill” with a special companion. While walking up towards the small walled-in church at the top of the fortified hill, he took me by the hand and led me to a hidden path beyond some bushes off the side of the hill. There, I saw thick, heavy bronze metal chains hanging off the side of the hill facing the sea. The sight both fascinated and perplexed me.

When I asked him what they were, he explained that at some ancient time, these chains were used to secure ships. However, something happened that caused the land to shift, lifting it from the seacoast and pushing it into the side of the hill, where they now hung. That was my first introduction to the little-known ancient site and its hidden ancient mysteries.

… on your booksTell us about your books.

My first book was published in the fall of 2022, and the second was published early this year.

The first book is called. Artemis Child: On the East Coast of the Peloponnese. The second book is called, Artemis Child: A Rain of Stars, The third book (due to publish in 2025) is called: Artemis Child: Trailing Hercules.

My books are a blend of personal and historical fiction set in the Mythical Peloponnese.

The ‘Artemis Child’ Peloponnese series includes my personal experiences—adventures, life transitions, and struggles of adjusting to a new environment, as well as uncovering hidden mysteries.

Book 1 in the ‘Artemis Child’ series by Diane Ioannou

The series name ‘Artemis Child'”‘ symbolizes the strength and endurance I discovered within myself during times of great trials and tribulations.

Talk about your latest book.

In this newest installment of the ‘Artemis Child’ series, Maria’s search for answers brings her face to face with an ancient secret: a scandalous act perpetrated by the ancient Arcadians in an effort to reclaim the land of their ancient gateway town.

The book includes findings on the Perseids, ancient Astra, Aeolus and story of Odysseus, Aeolus and the founding of Pisa, story of Pelops, ancient Olympia, ancient Eva-Loukou monastery, temple of Polemocrates, and villa of Herodes.

Book 2 in the ‘Artemis Child’ series

… on the futureWhat’s next for you?

Currently, I’m working on the second edition of my first book. As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, you do better.” So, I’m enhancing the first book and adding more content to it.

Following that, I’ll be completing and publishing the 3rd book of the series, titled Artemis Child: Trailing Hercules. It includes some of my personal experiences set in Cyprus, and the ancient history and mystery solving of the places associated with Hercules’ labors, six of which took place on the Peloponnese. After that, I have plans for at least two more books for the Peloponnese series.

However, at the moment, my main focus is not on my books.

Tell us more.

I am in the process of building a “forever home” in my maternal family village, where my grandparents and great-grandparents once lived. It is a two-story home with separate upstairs for me and a downstairs for my children. The downstairs will also be used for visitors. Once I finish upstairs, I will move in. This will allow me to do some other things that will allow me to spend more time in Southern California with my children and friends, whom I dearly miss.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Yes. Some advice… For those who are going through a difficult transition, and those who may in the future: When you think that life as you know it is over, that’s your new beginning. Courage will get you through it, and bravery will unlock truths.

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Now to be available as audiobooks on Amazon!

Diane Ioannou — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Both first and second book of series will very soon be available as AUDIBOOKS on Amazon!
Now working on second edition of first book!📖 Then on to the third book!📚
Super excited… 😜

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