In the upper deck of the Manayunk Diner, co-authors Anna Volpe Anuzzi, of Manayunk, and Jet Dana, of West Norriton, are signing books. GUP:Growing Up Psychic is the first of a proposed series chronicling Anuzzi's life growing up with her unique gift. The idea to write about Anuzzi's life came about four years ago.
"It was Jet's idea, " said Anuzzi. "She was interested in my life."
Anuzzi and Dana have been friends for a number of years. Anuzzi is also a song writer, dancer and singer. The future co-authors met at a Manayunk recording studio run by Dana and her husband.
"She sang my first song," said Anuzzi. "The song was called 'The Angel That Don't Live Here Anymore.'" Inspired by true-life events, the song is about a baby that died in 1965 and about going to bed with a ghost every night.
"I've always been involved in metaphysical science all of my life," said Dana. "More and more there is a connection with science and the wisdom of the ancients."
According to Dana, many in Anuzzi's family have some psychic ability going back to her family's roots in Italy.
"She has a wonderful story," said Dana. The first in the Psychic Anna series. Dana said the next volume is still being written.
"Writing was the easy part," said Dana. Dana and Anuzzi were appreciative of PublishAmerica's support. Based in Baltimore, PublishAmerica is a classic book publisher. Dana had made it clear that PublishAmerica is not a "vanity" publisher.
In the book, GUP, the story opens with migration of Anuzzi's paternal grandfather, Gaetano Volpe, and his family from Italy to the Unites States. Living through the Great Depression, Volpe leads a perilous life during prohibition to keep food on the table. It is work that ends in tragedy. The story continues with the meeting of Anuzzi's parents and Anuzzi's birth.
According to the book jacket, Anna lived a life fraught with complications and difficulties even before she became deathly ill. Her own inner strength and determination played a big role in her triumph over near-disaster.
The beginnings of her psychic realizations thrust her into a whole different bewildering dimension. This is a tale of struggle brightened with humor and laced with the small victories that inspire us on a daily basis to continue moving forward, no matter what. "I am hoping that kids find this book inspirational," said Dana.
Dana named a number of groups such as PsyKids, Indigo Children, Star Seeds, Children of the Blue Ray, Crystal Children, Rainbow Children, Avatar Children, Children of the New Earth, Millennium Children, SuperPsychic Children, Children of Aids that have proliferated in recent years.
Dana also said that she never developed her psychic abilities because of how unaccepted it was.
"They would have thrown me in the nuthouse," said Dana.
Dana believes these groups are evidence that psychic awareness is becoming more acceptable in society.
Anuzzi has made a number of predictions included the death of Natalie Wood and George W. Bush's victory in the 2000 and 2004 elections. It has been reported that Anuzzi has predicted that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will break up within the next 18 months. Anuzzi has also been seen on 'The Maury Povich Show.'
Dana has a Web site that discusses metaphysical science, www.get-emotional.com. Anuzzi can be found on the web at www.psychicanna.com. 'Growing Up Psychic' is being made available at Barnes and Noble and Borders booksellers. It can be purchased online at www.amazon.com, www.publishamerican.com, www.psychicanna.com and www.growinguppsychic.com.