Interview with Alberto Catellani

Published 2019-01-09.
What is your writing process?
I stare at the unyielding bubbling foam of a coffee mug and watch the twirling form the shapes that must be etched on the tapestry of Word. That being said, I'm also partial to writing and then rewriting something ten to twenty times in order to deliver onto digital paper the same images that run rampant across my head.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The first story I ever read was at the tender age of seven, and it was the Trilogy of Non-A, a science-fiction story in French, of which I understood very little, but what I did pretty much marked the rest of my life as someone who would never read science-fiction books ever again. And then I went right back to reading Asimov, and that taught me a valuable lesson on traumatic experiences.
There is nothing traumatic that cannot be faced, conquered, and turned into a powerful self-motivational tool.
How do you approach cover design?
I try to find a good enough royalty-free image and put it to good use. I'm horrible at drawing, and write as a hobby or a way to get my daily caffeine fix from some stranger over the internet. If I ever strike it rich, I swear I'll grab some cool guy from Deviantart and have him paid royally to draw me some kickass stuff. Until then, though, I'll keep on using what I find, and try to make the best out of it.
What do you read for pleasure?
My own stories, and those stories I find that deal with delivering funny and witty barbs, or make use of the most underhanded instrument available to mankind: their brain.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
A Kobo, because it's nice, lightweight, cheap, and works even with the glare of the sun straight over it. What more can I desire?
Describe your desk
My desk is a littered pile of empty cups and mugs of coffee, bundles of wires, English books and office supplies. Somewhere beneath the pile of rubble lies a printer too; I'm thankful the Wireless function makes it work, though.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up around the world, and thus the world grew around me. I've seen some really bad places, witnessed events too bizarre to be considered logical, and have come to the startling conclusion that, in the end, nothing is stranger than fiction. That is why I write fiction. It's a good way to keep oneself grounded.
When did you first start writing?
When I was eleven, I wrote a really horrible story involving roses giving powers to people. It was a silly, romantic idea born of too much Sailor Moon, I think. But from there, oh boy...oh boy!
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book, still in the clutches of the wondrous Kindle Select policy, is the sequel to the first book I've published here on Smashwords. Can't say much, or it would spoil the surprise. Go have a look for yourself!
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I like writing. I liked the idea of having people buy me coffee, and even more than that, I liked the idea of making my readers happy with what I had written. I don't write for those who seek the usual hero on a white horse, or those who seek something bundled in the masses of Tropes and clichés. I write stuff that might, or might not be, fresh...but at least, it's Different!
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Reading the reactions of my readers. There's little I enjoy more than seeing them theorize how things will be ending, or what will happen next. When they discuss among themselves what might, or might not happen, I'm the happiest.
What do your fans mean to you?
They mean the world to me, of course. They're people mad enough to read what I write; how could I not love them tenderly like a coffee-addict would his coffee?
What are you working on next?
A book about magical girls meeting Cthulhu-like stuff. Also, a collection of short stories inspired on the works of Lovecraft. I think I've got his writing style penned down somewhat. Now, let us see what madness lurks in the depths of bubbling ignorance, shall we?
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Latest books by This Author

My Life in Another World Is Sickening
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 106,020. Language: English. Published: July 23, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark, Fiction » Fantasy » Historical
Hum, now aliased under the guise of Captain Freimann of the Crimson Snakes, has once more risen as leader of mercenaries in the world of Calemil, where the weather is locked to one's nation, the Gods demand true devotion for their miracles and mages can make the difference between holding out in a siege or being forced out in a matter of minutes.
Omnibus of Shadows
Price: $4.00 USD. Words: 298,560. Language: English. Published: May 5, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark, Fiction » Science fiction » General
The Omnibus of Shadows; a collection of tales previously written, now reviewed and corrected. Mistakes or things missing are added. They're all bundled together for ease of reading, and because this way I can keep the price on the cheap. It's basically five books in one, the one-shots so to speak. 
My Life in Another World Is Dreadful
Series: The Isekai Deconstruction. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 69,830. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure, Fiction » Fantasy » Dark
Having lost everything, having been saved by a friend thought lost to the memories of his past, having no choice but to embark into a foreign land to fight into a crusade that yet is not as it seems, the one known as Hum has but one purpose in this strange new world. To survive, and find peace with his ghosts, with the reality he is surrounded by, and perhaps who knows, even get his revenge.
My Life in Another World Is Awful
Series: The Isekai Deconstruction. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 68,140. Language: English. Published: September 8, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark, Fiction » Fantasy » Historical
The third book of the Isekai deconstruction Series lands Librhom in a new country, with a new name, and facing both old and new faces as he ends up leading the most average of mercenary companies, through the most normal of battles and fights. Things always look up, before they start plummeting down.
My Life in Another World Hurts
Series: The Isekai Deconstruction. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 63,020. Language: English. Published: August 7, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark, Fiction » Fantasy » Historical
Librhom seeks nothing but a new start in a new continent. From the incredibly humble beginnings he is now a freeman mercenary, embarking on a journey of discovery...of how much the world around him can hurt when you don't know just how magically terrifying the creatures of the forest are, or how the games of the powerful can hurt the weak. Yet, he will persevere. Even if it hurts.
My Life In Another World Sucks
Series: The Isekai Deconstruction. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 53,140. Language: English. Published: July 11, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark, Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure
Hum remembers a past life in another, better world, but all he has on him are the clothes typical of the country he is in, and a back-breaking job in a clay mine. As a raiding party composed of both humans and beast folks raids the village and takes him as a slave, his main prerogative isn't to achieve the Harem of his dreams, or incredible cosmic powers. It's to endure the hardships ahead.
I, Master
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 31,760. Language: English. Published: January 3, 2020 . Categories: Nonfiction » Entertainment » Games, puzzles, & brain twisters » Role Playing & Fantasy, Nonfiction » Biography » Personal memoir
This isn't a book or a novel as much as it isn't a manual guide on how to become a perfect roleplayer. This is a collection of events that happened to me, real and raw, throughout my Roleplaying Career. The good and the bad are bundled together, giving a semi-coherent form to many of them, and then renouncing the coherence to just formulate more on what happened, why it happened, and for what dre
Prim and Proper
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 54,760. Language: English. Published: March 7, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
In the city of Markha, ex magical girl turned Police Detective Berrill Straw and her colleague Daniel are charged with investigating the grisly murder of a retired magical girl under protection.
The Investigator and the Fury of the Fog
Series: The Apprentices Chronicles. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 70,150. Language: English. Published: January 30, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark, Fiction » Fantasy » Urban
A Breach, an event whispered fearfully by the reckless few. An act by which the Investigator may break free of Cloatos, to rampage upon the world. Any hint of it must be silenced, or drowned in the fiery flames of the Burning Council's agents. Yet the memories of the Investigator are realer than others might think for Lyara, but there is an even greater threat at hand...believing him innocent.
The Race
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 51,970. Language: English. Published: January 13, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Utopias & dystopias, Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
In a galaxy where fabricators are common, where death is a myth, and in which countless space-faring aliens have met and joined together only the lucky ones survive. With technology capable of solving everything, of fighting off anything, of granting everyone's wishes, what is there left to do but explore the universe? Defend it from itself, and its inhabitants.
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