Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1: Most certainly! It would be my pleasure! My name is Michael Rizzo, and I am a thirty-year-old fantasy fiction writer, who works in finance during the day and often spends evenings writing and creating my fantasy world, which I have been crafting for about seven years. In my spare time, I also enjoy hanging out with my dogs, playing guitar in my rock band, and exploring new places with family and friends.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Tales of Asterra”?
A2: Tales of Asterra was actually born out of my troubles to get my first writing project, a novel taking place in Asterra, published the traditional way a few years ago. I started writing short stories on the side, in hopes of getting them published in online and print publications, to help build a name for myself as an author. With little success in that venture, I decided to try self-publishing, which I was apprehensive about because I knew very little about the process. However, the company I have used, Luminare Press, has been absolutely wonderful in guiding me along the path towards publication!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3: I love all things fantasy related! My favorite author would have to be J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit have been a profound source of inspiration for me when crafting my world of Asterra!
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4: I am from New Jersey, and I absolutely love the Jersey Shore during the summer time. I have great memories spent there during my summer vacations as a kid with my family, and I always feel at peace when I am down there!
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
A5: This is a great question! I think everyone has a different writing process. Before I jump into any writing project, I love to do a bit of world building, and from that crafting process, I usually get inspiration for how I like my next tale to unfold! I am a bit of an overthinker and I am a slow writer, so I do like to plan things out a bit. However, I will say that some of my favorite stories are born out of serendipity.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Tales of Asterra’?
A6: I started the first short story contained within Tales of Asterra in early 2019, and I finished the last tale in the beginning of 2022. So, the writing process took me about 3 years, and the last year I have been working on publication.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book?
A7: Tales of Asterra will be available in March on Kindle, Amazon, and can also be purchased through other major online retailers and bookstores.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Tales of Asterra’?
A8: The Title Tales of Asterra was kind of a spur of the moment creation. For a while I struggled with what to call the fantasy world I was creating. Then, one day I was thinking of what might sound nice, and Asterra came to the forefront of my mind. It is a combination of Asgard and the Latin word terra. For the book cover, I had the honor and privilege of working with the ever-talented artist Alejandro Colucci, who did all of the illustrations, including the cover of Tales of Asterra. For the cover, I wanted something to highlight the variety of the tales contained within the book while also shedding a bit grandeur on the open world of Asterra and its narrator, Penniforth Rodgers. Alejandro worked with me each step of the way, and he ended up creating an amazing book cover and amazing interior illustrations!
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9: For me, I think the best way to keep things fresh is to focus on each character’s interaction with the world around them. In this way, every experience is always new. Since Asterra is a large fantasy world with many unique characteristics, the way characters can engage with their environment is virtually endless.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
A10: Yes, there are 2 secrets! The first one has to do with the name of a character in one of the tales, Candles of The Ochre Halls. The character Lucre Moremy, his name is an anagram, and it describes his sinister nature. The second secret has to do with Penny Rodger’s farewell. He mentions that he is off to Aurora for the start of the harvest season. This is where my first writing project mainly takes place!
Sassy Reviews 