From Main Line Contractor to Novelist

Philadelphia native Robert DiGiacomo will be signing copies of his debut novel The Boxed Angel at The Greeks Tavern in Narberth on Saturday.

Should be an interesting guy to meet: DiGacomo was a general contractor on the Main Line for 25 years before turning to the pen.

According to his website, the idea for The Boxed Angel—a novel centered around the life and times of Ben Franklin—came to DiGiacomo during his commute:

As I was driving back from Jersey on the Ben Franklin Bridge on one of many thousands of times I was stuck in traffic at the base. I had a lot of time to stare at that giant steel key and lightning bolt with its awkward steel guy wires holding it in place. A thought or epiphany hit me - like a bolt of lightning. “I will write about the key, Bens key, the key that discovered electricity.” I said out loud to no one. Once I got home I started writing (long hand) my story about Ben’s key

The event starts June 8 at 6 p.m. at 239 Haverford Avenue in Narberth. Copies of The Boxed Angel will be available for purchase at the event, or can be bought online here.