Carlo J. Levare
aka John C. Cusimano
Stories rooted in place, memory, and the beautiful mess of being human
John C. Cusimano is a Colorado‑based audit and compliance leader, born in Philadelphia and splitting his time between Erie, CO and Ambler, PA.Writing as Carlo J. Levare, he creates literary fiction rooted in resilience and emotional honesty. He also leads children’s‑book collaboration projects with local universities, helping student illustrators get published while turning complex IT Audit, GRC, and/or emotional‑wellness themes—including ADHD, anxiety, depression, and fitting in—into accessible stories for young readers.
E-Books now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!!!
Counting the Days of Our Lives
Dario Esposito wakes up strapped to a gurney in a care facility he definitely didn’t sign up for, and the staff’s cheerful insistence that he “relax” only convinces him he’s been kidnapped by people with clipboards. His only ally is the man in the next bed — a brilliant, unhinged patient who calls himself the Colonel and treats the place like a military occupation. Whether he’s a retired officer or just dangerously bored, Dario can’t tell, but the Colonel knows exactly how this institution grinds people down.Together, the two men navigate the daily absurdities of a system that treats them like misplaced paperwork — trading barbs, plotting small rebellions, and refusing to go quietly. Counting the Days of Our Lives is a darkly funny, sharply observed story about aging, autonomy, and the unlikely friendship that forms when two men realize the only way to stay human is to laugh at the walls closing in.
My children’s book projects are part of an ongoing collaboration with local universities to bridge the gap between complex IT Audit and GRC concepts and early childhood learning. Together, we’re transforming advanced professional topics into accessible, engaging stories for young readers — while also creating a real‑world publishing pathway for student illustrators. Each book becomes a dual‑purpose platform: simplifying the language of governance and risk for families, and giving emerging artists the opportunity to see their work published in a professional book format.
What GRC Means to Me
When a curious kid asks what Mom and Dad do all day in the world of GRC, breakfast suddenly turns into a whirlwind lesson filled with giggles, shoe‑tying mishaps, and big ideas made small enough for little minds to grasp.Through warm family moments and silly examples—like Dad needing a shoe‑tying SOP—children learn the three building blocks of GRC: Governance, Risk, and Compliance. Each concept becomes a simple, relatable part of everyday life, from following steps, to asking “what if?”, to making sure chores get done responsibly.With playful rhyme, gentle humor, and a heartfelt look at how families learn together, What GRC Means to Me turns grown‑up concepts into a joyful, kid‑friendly adventure. It’s the perfect introduction for young readers to understand how the world stays safe, steady, and wonderfully well‑run.
Finn the Forgetful Fish
Finn is a little fish with a big problem — he keeps forgetting how to swim. One moment he’s gliding through shimmering coral reefs, and the next he’s sinking like a pebble, wondering what he was supposed to be doing.Determined to remember what matters most, Finn sets off on a colorful underwater adventure filled with friendly sea creatures, surprising discoveries, and a few splashy mistakes along the way. With each new challenge, Finn learns that even when you forget things, you can always find your way with a little courage, a little help, and a whole lot of heart.A gentle, joyful tale about perseverance, self‑confidence, and the magic of trying again, Finn the Forgetful Fish is a story young readers will want to dive into again and again.
About the Author
TWO DISTINCT LANES
John’s work spans two complementary but intentionally separate worlds:Literary fiction written as Carlo J. Levare — exploring emotional truth, dark humor, and the lived experience of individuals navigating modern systems.John writes literary fiction under the pen name Carlo J. Levare, a creative identity intentionally kept separate from his children’s‑book collaborations. The name itself carries personal meaning: Carlo honors his Italian family roots, while Levare — meaning “to lift,” “to raise,” or “to remove” — reflects his aim to reveal the emotional and structural pressures that shape modern American life. The pen name became a deliberate creative boundary, giving John the freedom to explore vulnerability, emotional honesty, and the quiet tensions that exist inside bureaucratic or high‑pressure systems.As Carlo J. Levare, John focuses on character‑driven fiction rooted in emotional realism, dark humor, and regional authenticity. His stories draw on cultural memory from his Pennsylvania upbringing and the lived experience of individuals navigating systems that are often indifferent to the people inside them. His work examines resilience, identity, and the subtle forces that shape everyday life — always with an eye toward the human impact of institutional design.This lane of his writing is intimate, reflective, and deeply personal, offering a counterbalance to the precision and structure of his professional world.Children’s Books Created in Partnership with Local University Art Programs — simplifying complex professional topics while elevating student illustrators.John C. Cusimano is an audit, compliance, and regulatory‑oversight leader based in Colorado & Pennsylvania, with more than twenty years of experience working at the intersection of technology, governance, and organizational systems. His career has focused on helping institutions navigate risk, cloud security, operational readiness, and the human factors that shape how systems function in practice.Separate from his fiction, John leads a children’s‑book initiative developed in collaboration with local universities — a project rooted in education, accessibility, and creative opportunity. The goal of John's children's books are to translate complex IT Audit and GRC concepts into engaging children’s‑book stories, making advanced professional topics understandable for young readers and families trying to explain to their children what they do.The second benefit of this pathway is to create a real publishing avenue for student illustrators, giving emerging artists the chance to build their portfolios, earn professional credit, and see their artwork published in book form.The project blends storytelling with practical learning: each book introduces foundational ideas about technology, governance, and risk in a format that is playful, accessible, and classroom‑friendly. At the same time, it functions as a mentorship and career‑development platform for student artists, offering them real‑world experience in publishing, collaboration, and visual communication.This initiative reflects John’s commitment to community‑centered creativity — using books not only to teach, but to open doors for the next generation of illustrators and storytellers.How Does This Come Together?
Together, these projects reflect John’s broader mission: to communicate clearly, create meaningfully, and support emerging voices across disciplines.
My mission is to write stories that honor the people who are too often overlooked—those navigating aging, caregiving, recovery, institutional systems, and the quiet battles that shape a life. Through dark humor, emotional truth, and character driven storytelling, I aim to create a fiction that sparks reflection, conversation, and connection across generations.
My Audience
Readers of Dark Humor and Emotional Literary Fiction
For those who want stories that make them laugh, wince, and feel something real. Readers who gravitate toward Backman, Haig, Lawson, Rowley, and Tropper—people who appreciate humor as a coping mechanism and emotional truth without sentimentality.Caregivers, Adult Children of Aging Parents, and Healthcare Workers
A large, emotionally invested community that is often under-recognized in contemporary fiction. My writing shines a light on the realities of institutional failures and the guilt, grief, and absurdity that accompany caring for loved ones in a strained system.Readers Who Love Protagonist Fiction
Themes like late life reinvention, dignity, resilience, unexpected friendship, and humor in aging are universal. For many Gen X readers, these realities are approaching quickly—often before they’ve had time to process them. My work speaks directly to that transition.Book Clubs — Especially Intergenerational Ones
My books spark conversations beyond the page. Heartbreak, moral ambiguity, institutional critique, and complex relationship arcs are recurring elements in my work. These themes naturally invite debate, empathy, and shared reflection.Mental Health and Recovery Communities
Recovery is more than “getting better.” It involves rebuilding identity, surviving adversity, and maintaining individuality. These communities respond strongly to narratives of resilience that avoid clichés and instead embrace honesty, humor, and humanity.Veterans and Military Family Readers
I believe this community defies simple categorization. Their experiences with service, trauma, aging, and identity deserve nuance and respect. My work aims to portray these complexities with honesty and depth.Institutional Reform & Healthcare Advocacy Circles
Long-term, my writing serves as a quiet but persistent call to action. I want to encourage meaningful dialogue about institutional bureaucracy; the people trapped within it, and the ethical consequences of systems that cannot serve their intended purpose.
Genres
Dark Humor
Literary Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Family & Relationships
Medical Fiction
Psychological Fiction
Protagonist Fiction
Children’s Books
An ARC reader is someone who reads a book before it’s officially published and shares an early review to help build buzz and visibility for the author.An ARC reader receives an Advance Reader Copy, a pre‑publication version of a book sent out to reviewers, bloggers, librarians, influencers, or enthusiastic early readers. Their role is to read the near‑final manuscript and provide honest feedback or public reviews—often on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, or social media—right around launch time. This early wave of reactions helps authors generate momentum, attract new readers, and refine final details before publication.
ARC Readers for Counting the Days of Our Lives will close May 1, 2026
An ARC reader is someone who reads a book before it’s officially published and shares an early review to help build buzz and visibility for the author.An ARC reader receives an Advance Reader Copy, a pre‑publication version of a book sent out to reviewers, bloggers, librarians, influencers, or enthusiastic early readers. Their role is to read the near‑final manuscript and provide honest feedback or public reviews—often on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, or social media—right around launch time. This early wave of reactions helps authors generate momentum, attract new readers, and refine final details before publication.
ARC Readers for current Levare House books are now closed. If you want to be considered as a future ARC reader, please fill out the form below.
