Since his childhood Mike Di Certo has always harvested his work from the abundant crop of his imagination. From the wild and hilarious Rock and Roll space adventure Milky Way Marmalade, to the child-like wonder of his middle grade series, The Adventures of Rupert Starbright (The Door to Far-Myst, The Secret of My-Myst and The Ghosts of Winter Joy) Michael’s passions play out on the pages. His love of animals, his family, gardening, travel, movies, VR, history, Yoga, reading and music guide and influence his life and his writing.
His latest book is the middle grade fantasy novel, A Nick of Time.
Visit his website at www.ruperstarbright.com or connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.
Tell us about your book! What is it about and what inspired you to write it?
MD: A NICK OF TIME is the fourth book in the Adventures of Rupert Starbright fantasy adventure series. It opens on the last day of the year in the town square of Graysland where the folks are gathered to countdown to the New Year. But when all goes frozen before the last second is counted-
Rupert realizes something really bad has happened. Rupert learns he must travel the world of Annum- where the characters of the Zodiac reside – to track the down the nicked last second and save reality. I was inspired to write it from an old animated musical screenplay I wrote with a similar plotline. I decided to adapt it to a Rupert novel. The woman who optioned my Rupert series LOVED the idea when I pitched it to her and immediately optioned it as well once it was published.
Tell us about your publishing process. What was it like? Did you go indie or the traditional way?
MD: The entire Adventures of Rupert Starbright series was published by a small press- Zumaya Publications.
How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?
MD: I am one of those writers that cannot being a book without the perfect title. A Nick of Time felt right. I liked the double meaning of the expression “Nick of Time”. I like short titles and I like the verbal flow.
Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like?
MD: I had a few general ideas but I have such a great cover artist I was excited to see what he would come up with.
Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?
MD: The brilliant Hugo award winning artist Brad Foster has done all the Rupert books.
How was your experience working with the designer?
MD: Its like Christmas morning when I finally get to see Brad’s covers. He has the perfect wild imagination to bring the wild imaginings of Rupert’s adventures to life. The cover for A NICK OF TIME is a whimsical, colorful delight.
What has been the readers’ response to your cover?
MD: It always invokes a sense of wonder about the story and a big smile.
What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?
MD: If you are self-publishing you can use resources like Fivrr to find artists. Have a good idea what you want. Give the artists multiple options but let them have the first shot. You might be surprised what new eyes and a new mind will imagine.
Anything else you’d like to say about your book?
MD: A NICK OF TIME is truly like nothing you have ever read. Wild, colorful characters and fun songs illuminate this exciting tale and twisting heart felt adventure.
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