Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Daniel Micko, and with the help of my wife, I write and publish my own books. I love stories, and I love movies. I love concepts and concepts that burn a hole in your mind. I love the Bay Area, and many of my stories occur there. I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. However, my career started when I moved to San Francisco to go to film school at the Academy of Art University.
Q2. What were your key challenges while writing your book “Moonshine Revival”?
Moonshine Revival is a remake of my first book. I had to do it. I made a weak commission on the original: The Moonshine Wars. Initially, I published with a vanity publisher because I hadn’t researched publishing. It’s free to print. Therefore, I revived Moonshine and added more. Don’t pay for ignorance. I learned the hard way, but everyone else doesn’t have to. Moonshine Revival is a better book, and I get proper royalties.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
“Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger; I love this book, which inspired my desire to become a writer.
“Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake’ by Frank W. Abagnale & Peter Redding. It has everything, and the movie encouraged me to read the book; both are unique masterpieces. However, the book seems more convincing, and both stories are fascinating.
“Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for every writer” by Roy Peter Clark; is a great book with practical tips to enhance your writing. I need to re-read it soon! 🙂
“The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry” by Jon Ronson. It opened my mind to the psychology of people. The amount of psychopathic choices we have each day is terrifying! When we make those choices, we step down a dark path. 🙂
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
San Francisco is seared into my brain as a point of personal evolution. It’s where I landed when I decided to become an artist. Like the Bay Area, SF has a lot of nooks that have personal significance to me. I can’t call it home, but I always feel at home there.
Q5. Before you dive in and start writing a book, are there lots to do?
Yes, my books start with notes; characters talking, a concept, a scene. Then everything evolves, and I must organize my thoughts and explain my motivations. Action makes the story; characters choose because they have to and don’t usually explain themselves. In fact, they typically lie to themselves and, in turn, the reader.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance’?
I wrote this book in 28 days. I was reading “Kindle Bestseller Publishing” by Gundi Barielle, and it described writing a book in 30 days. I’d already written books (killed my darlings) and wanted to write something for a niche audience. It was a lot of effort, and I hope readers enjoy the work put into it.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
I’m on Barnes & Noble and Amazon. However, I have a website: http://www.danielmicko.online. Drop shipping is a pet project of mine, and I want to lead a writer’s revolution to sell directly to readers & wholesalers. The commission from dropshipping your books is tremendous, but it’s a difficult task. The popular platforms have all the market share. 😦
Q8. Tell us about developing the book cover and the title ‘An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance’?
I wrote a book called “Predator / Nomad” with LGBTQ characters who stole scenes and readers’ love, so when executing my 30-day project, I searched for “middle grade + LGBTQ.” I got a lot of hits for a “gay straight alliance.” I read up on the subject, and ideas cascaded from there.
I read about a website called “99 Designs,” where you can solicit your project to artists. If you have a budget for it, use 99 Designs. I was pleasantly surprised, and you should be too.
Q9. How do you keep things fresh for your readers and yourself when writing a book?
I use an outline that I blogged about last year. It’s very obtuse and creates room to be spontaneously in the moment while writing. Prep work makes for a great project, not just books. When I can set parameters before writing, I have room to be spontaneous and fresh.
Also, define your characters. Scrivner has an excellent character bio page that begs a bunch of questions. If you decide to use it, try to answer every character description you can and then write a scene. It will enhance your copy.
Q10. Can you share any secrets from the book Moonshine Revival (not in the blurb) with your readers?
A sequel is coming, set in Chicago around the 1920s. Sonny is in jail, and Isabelle drives from Kincaid to Chicago to get Sonny out. Also, Bull Mosgrove is on his way to Chicago as well. Some tremendous American history surrounds the mob versus the Ku Klux Klan. I want to capture it in a Moonshine Sequel.
Daniel Micko on Amazon
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