Hi all. Thanks for reading. Hello from New York City.
Julio Vincent Gambuto is the author of Please Unsubscribe, Thanks! — a new book from Avid Reader Press at Simon & Schuster. Learn more.
Here on Medium, he is the author of the viral essay series, “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting,” which sparked a world-wide conversation reaching more than 21 million readers in 98 countries. JVG is a weekly contributor to the platform, where he writes about happiness in a fucked-up modern world, or “where self-help meets the system.”
A moviemaker by trade and training, JVG has embraced a much more authentic outspokenness in his creative life. He gets out of bed every day determined to make smart, funny, bold work that's full of heart. His projects seek to offer readers and viewers insight, guidance, and a pathway to legit connection in a chaotic modern world.
JVG has written, directed, and produced film and television content for The New Yorker, Nickelodeon, PBS, E! Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Beta Films International, Stone & Company, and Kerner Entertainment.
His debut feature, Team Marco, was distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, and in over 25 countries. A family film, the movie addresses themes of technology, intergenerational friendship, and joy and play. It was praised by critics as “a life-affirming feel-good movie” (Leonard Maltin), and the New York Times commended the director's “golden view” of his hometown. JVG directed and stars in the upcoming comedy short film, Silver Fox, which will be presented by The New Yorker at film festivals in 2024.
JVG has also mastered the mic at Caroline's on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, and the Comedy Store—and has been a stage performer, speaker, and workshop leader, building a 20+ year career as a creative communicator. From the time he was a super gay teen (home perm and all; it was the 90s), he has had over 30 jobs, including being a waiter at Johnny Rockets and welcoming customers at Abercrombie & Fitch (well before the greeters were shirtless).
In 2003, JVG co-founded TAYPE — an after-school arts program for LGBTQ+ teens, which served vital and important institutions like Harvey Milk High School and the Ali Forney Center, for over ten years. The program was funded, in part, by the Time Warner Foundation.
Before all of that, "Giulio” grew up in a large Italian family on New York’s Staten Island, where aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered often around Mom's seafoam-green formica kitchen table for “cake and coffee” — always an Entenmann’s crumb cake — to tell stories, argue about the Mets, and play cards with the neighbors.
A graduate of Harvard University, Julio Vincent Gambuto earned his MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he was an Annenberg Fellow. He lives in New York City with his fiancé.
- - - - -
For press and speaking inquiries, please contact Dave Kass at Simon & Schuster: david.kass@simonandschuster.com
For writing inquiries, please contact Julie Stevenson at Massie & McQuilkin: julie@mmqlit.com
Learn more at www.juliovincent.com