Interview with Michael Punaro

Author of Delirium Intersect

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Am a native Californian, Los Angeles area. Currently reside in Encinitas, North San Diego County.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

The computer manufacturing company where I acted as Technical Publications Manager, moved from the Los Angeles area to San Diego, California. The “move offer” made to me by my company was too good to pass up.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

An encounter with a little known phenomena called Hospital Delirium. I found myself at the crossroads of illusion and reality — an astounding effect that compelled me to document my condition, so as to eventually warn the general public of this enigma which has the potential of danger to whomever it affects. The result of my entanglement with delirium caused me to become an “Accidental Author”.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

A fast moving, inventive tale of intrigue, mystery, action and adventure. An intertwining of fact — the first 38 pages being a true experience — and the shifting of gears into a fictional cat-and-mouse confrontation of an inventor who becomes pitted against his own invention while attempting to stop a threat on the life of every American.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

The general reader of intrigue novels.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

That there is an overwhelming number of books published each year, therefore, the success rate of any author to rise above another in meaningful sales is unlikely.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

Enjoy your effort to achieve a fair product, for there is satisfaction attaining such a goal.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

At least the 7 million-plus people each year that will be subjected to the negative effects of Hospital Delirium.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

The biggest challenge and frustration during the process of bringing forth a book is the difficulty with its successful marketing.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My biggest strength with writing Delirium Intersect was the compulsion I felt to tell my story in a convincing way. The publishing seemed to come easy because of being associated with typesetting, page design, and general book makeup. Personal presentations to various groups of people came very easily and was fun.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My major weakness with book writing is trying to maintain the ‘active, present tense’ voice. Publishing was not a weakness. Marketing in various ways and means, however, is the key to successful book promotion, and requires a high degree of luck as well as knowledge. That is the greatest weakness of any author.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

Never, unless I am confronted with another strange phenomena that compels me to document it story and open examination.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I contracted with Tate Publishing, a traditional publisher, who accepted and published Delirium Intersect. They have since gone out of business.